Meet Our Destination Expert:
5 Revealing Questions
Nigel Stewart
Hotel General Manager, Diamond Princess
Number of Years with Princess:
42 
Number of Countries Visited:
107
Hometown:
Fortrose, Scotland
A little about my job:
As the Hotel General Manager I’m responsible for everything that touches our passengers during their cruise. It’s my job to deliver a consistent Princess product and to ensure that when passengers leave the ship at the end of their cruise they’ve experienced the vacation of a lifetime.
What item is in your suitcase that you couldn’t travel without?
By the nature of my job and being away from home for such long periods it would have to be photographs of my wife and family. For practicality it would be a nice little all-in-one adaptor that converts all electric plugs and sockets for all the different arrangements around the world. I acquired it in Hong Kong several years ago.
What’s your most treasured travel souvenir?
Not sure if it’s a travel souvenir but it has served me well since I purchased it in Taiwan the day that happened to coincide with the death of Chiang Kai Shek on April 1975. The unusual item was a rosewood cabinet bar that opens out to reveal a marble top. It houses part of my collection of malt whisky which I savor when home on long dark winter nights!
What’s the most memorable dish you’ve eaten during your travels?
On the down side I recall having presented to me at a hosted dinner in Morocco sheep’s eyes. It was not something that I came away from the dinner saying I can’t wait to have that again! On the upside I love Japanese food and in particular Teppanyaki — therefore my culinary taste buds were set alight when I spent the last two months of the construction of Diamond Princess in Nagasaki, Japan. However my most memorable Teppanyaki meal occurred in Osaka, Japan.
What’s your travel motto?
St. Augustine said, “The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” I believe that in all my years I have read several chapters and indeed am nearer the end of the book than the beginning. I recommend everyone to have a good read and on a cruise you can cover several pages.
Where haven’t you been that’s on your travel bucket list?
One country that I would like to visit that I have not been able to go to date is Nepal , though it’s not officially recognized as a country in its own right. I would also love to visit Tibet. A particular sight that I would like to see are the ruins at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Perhaps as my current vessel, Diamond Princess, is cruising in Asia and Princess operates an excellent overland excursion to these magnificent ruins, my management may allow me to escort the excursion one day.
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Hello Nigel
My Husband and I have recently returned (8th March 2013) from a cruise around New Zealand on the Diamond Princess, which we enjoyed greatly. My one gripe was my bed. So hard with a huge lump in middle of my back. I had the cabin steward, Dennis turn the mattress but only a slight improvement. I was so pleased to get in my own bed at home. We were in A401 so if you get a chance try it out. That was our 6th cruise and the worst bed!!!! My Husband’s bed was fine but as I like to be near bathroom I would not change.
Thanks for otherwise perfect holiday
Margaret V Phillips Christchurch New Zealand. 15/03/2013
Hi Nigel,
We can’t thank you enough for having us on board. It was great meeting you and Celia. The sumptuous lunch that was served in a luxurious way
and the amazing tour around the ship was worth the long trip from Christchurch down to Dunedin. Looking forward to meeting you in Scotland soon 
Cheers!
Thank you all for sharing your comments and valuable feedback with us.
In order to best assist you with customer service concerns and booking support, please call us at the Princess Cruises office that is closest to you:
1-800-Princess (US)
13 24 88 (Australia)
0843 374 4444 (UK)
Hi Nigel, hope all is well with you and the family. We are nearing the end of a fabulous 42 day voyage to China, Korea and Japan etc on Sun Princess (3rd cruise on here).Everything has been excellent in every respect as always. Noted you spent time in Nagasaki – we rather enjoyed that port and had great sunny clear weather- first time in Japan.It is been interesting learning about the War in the Pacific.Hoping you may be back on Diamond when she’s in Sydney in February next year so we can hopefully catch up – or in Scotland next summer maybe. All good wishes & here’s to keeping in touch and catching up.
Hi Nigel,
We recently returned from a cruise to Alaska on the Diamond Princess. What a great time we had! It was our first cruise. We stayed in a mini suite and had the BEST nights sleep. Can you tell me what brand of mattress you used in the suites?
Hi Laura,
We are happy to hear that you had a great time cruising with us!
The mattresses onboard are from Matermoll SRL in Italy. They do not sell retail or individual mattresses but they can be contacted to get what the equivalent of what could be purchased retail. Their email address is: pierangela@matermoll.com
EXTRACTS FROM HMS VERONICA LOG
3RD FEBRUARY – 1931
VERONICA: To Commander in Chief New Zealand Squadron from HMS Veronica. Time 1054. Am berthed at Napier. Earthquake 1045, lasted for about 3 minutes. Ship trembled violently and bumped jetty. Securing wires eased. No damage to “Veronica”.
CCNZS: 1114 From Commander in Chief, NZ Squadron. Do you require assistance of cruisers?
VERONICA: 1122. Yes, “Veronica” hard and fast ashore. Tide ran out very quickly, and ship was in danger of going aground. Extra wires were secured to jetty; anchors let go.
VERONICA: 1141. Impossible to estimate damage, feared extensive, water rising. “Veronica” afloat, had to draw fires, am raising steam.
CCNZS: 1141. What assistance is required?
VERONICA: 1153. Medical assistance required, feared considerable loss of life.
VERONICA: 1156 Volunteers have been called for and every available man landed, including Medical Officer and First Aid party at 1150.
CCNZS: 1157 Proceeding to Napier with “Diomede” with assistance.
VERONICA: 1212 Store building down, fires raging everywhere, all medical assistance possible required. Shocks still recurring.
VERONICA: 1309 To SS “Northumberland”. Offer of assistance accepted. Land you doctor and men. Suggest you use Police Station as your Headquarters.
VERONICA: 1313 All local communication destroyed, acting as link to Wellington. Impossible to state damage, landed every available man. Assistance urgently required.
CCNZS: 1319 Sailing at 1430. Arrive Napier 0700 with 3 doctors, 15 nurses and medical stores. Anything further to report?
VERONICA: 1331 Situation appalling. Whole town appears to be on fire. Foodstuff will be required.
NORTHUMBERLAND: 1337 We have plenty of food on board. Will transfer it to land.
WELLINGTON RADIO: 1421 Prime Minister anxious you supply information as to extent medical assistance required.
VERONICA: 1445 To Prime Minister. As much assistance as possible. Whole town wrecked, fires raging.
VERONICA: 1456 To CinC and Wellington Radio. Impossible to estimate damage at present but it is very severe; have taken charge as Senior Naval Officer. Am endeavouring to organise situation ashore, have assistance of SS “Taranaki” and “Northumberland”. Every available man landed and refugees coming on board. “Veronica” will remain in inner harbour in touch with situation ashore.
SS CUMBERLAND: 1520 We are passing Portland Island at 1600. Can offer assistance.
VERONICA: 1520 Message received, Cumberland. Call off Napier, when you will be informed if any assistance is required.
WELLINGTON RADIO: 1600 SS “Northumberland” instructed to render all possible assistance and advise “Dunedin” re navigational matters.
VERONICA: 1629 To Wellington and Commander in Chief: Information received that Hastings, Waipawa and Waipukurau have suffered equally with Napier. Medical assistance is urgently required there and organisation for food etc in all towns. Am endeavouring to do this at Napier but assistance is urgently required elsewhere.
VERONICA: 1730 To CinC. Situation ashore is still very obscure, but damage and loss of life is worse if anything than I thought; water supply has completely failed and food shortage is probable. Have organised food depots. I understand all surrounding towns are equally or worse affected.
WELLINGTON RADIO: 1731 From Secretary, General Post Office. Following medical assistance despatched by naval vessels:
Auckland 5 doctors 15 nurses
Wellington 7 doctors 25 nurses
Gisborne 5 doctors 5 nurses
Palmerston North 2 doctors 10 nurses
Adjacent towns 13 doctors 24 nurses
NORTHUMBERLAND: 1832 Crews of SS “Taranaki” and “Northumberland” seek permission to return their men to ship for the night.
VERONICA: 1833 No, we propose to keep men ashore for the night.
VERONICA: 1931 To “Taranaki” and “Northumberland”: Send all available electric torches urgently required ashore.
VERONICA: 2000 To Wellington Radio, for Watson & Co: Films, developer and thermometers urgently required by Dr. Biggs.
CCNZS: 2018 From CCNZ: Important. When situation is clearer to you I shall be glad if you will forecast what action you would propose on arrival of cruisers including working parties, etc required ashore. We have on board 15 doctors, 11 nurses, 54 stretchers, x-ray portable, 5 marquees, 34 tents, 400 blankets, 125 seamen’s beds, 200 ground sheets, 80 shovels, 31 picks, 5 boilers, kettles, mugs, deals spars, scantlings, etc. also additional medical and surgical chests and miscellaneous medical stores.
CCNZS: 2028 From CCNZ: The public are anxious to know extent of damage and casualties so far as they can be ascertained. Would you prepare a short summary of your observations up to the present time and send to me for re-transmission; sorry to trouble you?
VERONICA: 2037 To CinC: SS “Cumberland” has arrived and awaiting instructions, as have “Dunedin” and “Diomede”.
VERONICA: 2051 To CCNZ: Have just returned from going round. Practically whole of stone and brick buildings of Napier have been destroyed and in many cases are blazing furiously. Hundreds of wooden buildings have been shaken to ground; casualties list a very heavy one, but it is impossible to even estimate the number at present. Water supply has failed, and fire brigade are incapable of dealing with all the fires. Populace is quiet and appear stunned by the magnitude of disaster. I have organised a food depot and am policing the streets. Several temporary hospitals have been organised and “Veronica” is forming an x-ray station and all destitute women and children who care are on board “Veronica”. Shocks still recurring.
VERONICA: 2203 To CCNZ : Following organisation submitted – Doctors and medical stores to be distributed as follows:
Racecourse: 9 doctors, 6 nurses, portable x-ray, 2 marquees, 15 stretchers, 200 blankets.
Nelson Park: 2 doctors, 3 nurses, 2 marquees, 15 stretchers.
Botanical Gardens: 2 doctors, 3 nurses, 1 marquee, 15 stretchers, Veronica’s stretchers.
Bell tents, beds, ground sheets, boilers and remaining blankets, cooking utensils, etc to Nelson Park as it is considered this will make the best headquarters for destitute and homeless. I consider strong Marine detachment should be landed for Police duties, that demolition and fire parties should also be landed. White Parsons and I will come out in launch on your arrival and put you wise to the situation as we know it. I have asked local authorities as are available to meet you on board “Veronica” about 0800. Fresh water and sterilises are required.
VERONICA: 2210 To Masters “Taranaki” and “Northumberland”: Thank you for wonderful way you have responded to requests and wishes.
WELLINGTON RADIO: 2250 Food, tents, blankets being forwarded by train. Minister of Defence leaving by road.
VERONICA: 2337 To CCNZ: Medical assistance has arrived by aeroplane and car and situation is slightly easier, but that only refers to such people as have been rescued and have been able to get to medical centres; fires still raging.
Nigel, Love you to bits and miss you I am on the Star Princess right now just got off the Coral.
Ship hopping looking for you.
XOXO best to you and your family Happy Holidays
Marcia
Marcia: Hope that – no I know that you will have had a great time on the Coral. Wishing you Happy Holidays and sure that we will cruise together in the not too distant future
I have full transcript of what was sent from HMS Veronica at the time of the 1931 Earthquake.
Arrived home 3 weeks ago via Alaska to Bejing on the Diamond Princess, our first as Elite passengers. Five years ago September was our first Princess cruise..to Alaska..aboard the Diamond.!!! The service was top notch both times..greatly due to Nigel and the crew. This trip was fabulous with only one rainy day in 22. We have enjoyed every single day of our 173 so far with Princess and plan to continue until we cant hobble up and down the gangway any more. Princess gives us just the right combination of destination, price, comfort, fun, tours and the best service possible. And future cruise credits are so good we keep a spare at all times. Thanks Princess and Nigel and all the wonderful people at Princess.
Penny – Hope to see you in the not too distant future and best wishes from all your friends onboard Diamond Princess.
Looking forward to joining the ship next week. Everything we’ve seen and read suggests we will have a fantastic trip.
I always know that we are in for a delightful cruise when Nigel Stewart is on board. We have had the pleasure of dining with him several times at Captain’s luncheons.
Karen – Thanks for your kind words and look forward to many more lunches together.
Nigel Steward was the best Hotel General Manager i work with
Antonio – Great to hear from you it has been many years since we worked together and you were a fantastic Chef. Where has life’s journey taken you over the years since you drowned the anchor? Arrivederci e speriamo di vederci in futuro