Concession Agent

Meet Our Destination Expert:

5 Revealing Questions

Ophelia Drulis

Concession Agent

Number of Years with Princess:

21

Number of Countries Visited:

About 52

Hometown:

Downey, California

A little about my job:

I’m in charge of making cruise bookings for employees, crew and vendors worldwide.

1.

What item is in your suitcase that you couldn’t travel without?

Band-Aids (I have 3 boys).

2.

What’s your most treasured travel souvenir?

A bracelet that was given to me on my honeymoon by a store owner in San Juan. My husband and I were shopping and the power went out in the city. We didn’t realize that when the power goes out in downtown San Juan all of the shops lock their doors until it goes back on. It wasn’t a big deal and we had fun shopping and talking with the shop owner of the store we were in. She kindly gave me a bracelet as a wedding gift. It’s a simple bangle with flowers but I still wear it.

3.

What’s the most memorable dish you’ve eaten during your travels?

Of all my travels, my most memorable dish is the Fettuccini Alfredo served aboard our ships. To me, it just doesn’t get any better than the freshly made pasta and rich, creamy sauce. My husband and I always look forward to it and we’ve shared some very special moments together over a dish of Fettuccini Alfredo.

4.

What’s your travel motto?

Keep safe and always carry a credit card with you!

5.

Where haven’t you been that’s on your travel bucket list?

India and Australia.

Read this expert's Essential Experience

8 Comments

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  1. Joan Jones says... October 14, 2011 | 4:59pm

    Reading about the Panama Canal has just peaked my interest even more. I notice that there is going to be a passanger by the name of Howared Epstein who will be on the Coral Princess the same time as my husband and I. I hope to meet them as we too will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. This will be our second cruse with Princes. My only disappintment in taking this cruse is the lack of excursins for people with disabilities. But that seem to be the issue on most of the curses. I wish that Princes would look into more excursins for those with disabilities.

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... October 19, 2011 | 2:57pm

      Hi Joan,

      Happy Anniversary! Unfortunately, many countries have not made the sort of arrangements for people with physical disabilities and because of this certain access in ports is very limited.
      We look forward to welcoming you onboard! Have a wonderful cruise.
      :)

  2. sylvia says... September 3, 2011 | 1:56pm

    what tours would you recommend for active 70 plus adults on first time Panama Cruise?

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... September 8, 2011 | 12:50pm

      Hi Sylvia,

      We have a variety of shore excursions in each of our ports designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of our passengers. Our most popular excursion in Fuerte Amador, Panama is Scenic & Walking Tour of ‘Old Panama City’. In Limon, Costa Rica many of our passengers enjoy the Rainforest Aerial Tram, Tortuguero Canals & Lunch excursion, and also in Ocho Rios, Jamaica Dunn’s River Falls, Harmony Hall & Shopping excursion. Also, on princess.com you are able to filter the excursions for each port according to your interests. If you have any further questions please call us at 1-800-Princess.

  3. Howard Epstein says... September 1, 2011 | 7:57pm

    Hello from New Hampshire, Opehelia. Really enjoyed your blog about the Panama Canal Experience. My wife and I are going on a full transit of the Panama Canal on the Crown Princess beginning December 6, 2011. I can not wait. Like your husband I am fascinated by the engineering and medical problems overcome at the turn of the century. By the way we love to cruise, so this will be the perfect trip for both of us. This will be extra especial because we will be celebrating our 40 th wedding anniversary on board – in grand style !

    Reply
  4. Tim Shalk says... August 16, 2011 | 2:35pm

    Ophelia
    Was their an old Princess ship called the Crown?? The Crown Princess today is a fairy new ship ( wasn’t around in 1997 ) and the Crown today is too large to make the transit,,,,,,,,
    thanks

    Reply
    • Christian L says... August 16, 2011 | 9:49pm

      The Crown Princess that sails for us now is a new ship built in italy in 2006 and is the second princess ship to proudly wear the name “Crown Princess”. The original Crown Princess was ordered by Sitmar cruises but when Princess and Sitmar merged they took delivery of the two ships with the princess livery being named Crown and Regal Princess. The two ships are currently sailing for sister company P&O Cruises Australia as Pacific Jewel and Pacific Dawn. These ships were panamax ships however the new Crown Princess is a post Panamax class ship.

  5. GRACE BOLAND,WE says... August 16, 2011 | 12:50pm

    HELLO FROM AUSTRALIA OPHELIA.ENJOYED READING ABOUT YOR JOB AND SO PLEASED YOU HAVE AUSTRALIA ON YOUR WISH LIST,I LOVE TRAVELLING THE WORLD BUT AUSTRALIA IS A REALLY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY,WE DO HAVE THE BEST BEACHES IN THE WORLD,FABULOUS RESTAURANTS,TOP CLASS SHOPPING,SO I’M SURE YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME,YOU MUST WONDER IF THIS IS TRUE WHY DO I TRAVEL OVERSEAS 3 TIMES A YEAR,WELL I FIND IT DO EXCITING, LOVE OTHER CULTURES AND WE ALL THINK ”THE GRASS IS GREENER SOMEWHERE ELSE DONT WE ???

    Reply

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About This Blog

Few people have seen more of the world than Princess Cruises’ own destination experts.In the past 45 years that Princess ships have been sailing to all seven continents, many of our longest-serving shipboard and shoreside employees have logged thousands of sea and air miles visiting hundreds of countries, cities and sites. We’re often asked, “You’ve seen it all. What places do I really need to have on my travel bucket list?” Over the course of a year, some of our 15+ year employees shared their personal stories that we hope will inspire others. The resulting collection of 50 Essential Experiences touch 36 countries on six continents, and we hope you enjoy the journey!

  1. In the Embrace of Rio’s Most Famous Monument
  2. Dog Mushing on a Sunlit Glacier
  3. A Soldier Returns … as a Tourist
  4. Art Deco Treasures from Tragedy
  5. The Sounds of Santorini
  6. Bobsledding Down the Unlikeliest Mountain
  7. Majesty and Music in a Lost City
  8. A Castle to Call Home
  9. Unexpectedly Awestruck on the Golden Circle
  10. Discovering the Hidden City of the Incas
  11. New Year’s Eve at the Edge of Time
  12. My Grand Tour
  13. A “Homecoming” in a Country of Contrasts
  14. The Most Wondrous Wall of All
  15. In Search of Marco Polo
  16. In the Midst of a Holy Pilgrimage
  17. A Lesson in Courage and Sacrifice
  18. From Tahiti with Love
  19. Standing in the Shadows of the Moai
  20. First Time Around the Horn
  21. The Rhythm of the Animal Kingdom
  22. A Mayan Discovery with an Unlikely Guide
  23. Istanbul Ignites a Spirit of Adventure
  24. Mystery and Intrigue in the Venice of the North
  25. The Gift of the City of Lights
  26. Self Discovery Along the Mighty River
  27. A Divided City Reunited
  28. Remembering Gallipoli
  29. The City that Knows No Age
  30. Homeward Bound – Aloha Style
  31. A Crossing Between Worlds
  32. Finding Friendships in an Empty Town
  33. An Ode to My Emerald Isle
  34. For the Love of London
  35. In the Wake of the Bounty
  36. Hospitality Needs No Translation
  37. Discovering Delightful Diversions in Belgium
  38. The Theory of Travel Relativity
  39. An Eye-Opening Dream Destination
  40. Falling in Love with India
  41. In Step with the Dutch Life
  42. The Power of the Pyramids
  43. Unlocking a World of Wonder
  44. A Second Home in Vancouver
  45. Enveloped by the Magic of a Bygone Empire
  46. Savoring Flavorful Hong Kong
  47. The Great Love of My Life
  48. Trekking to the Hidden Temple City
  49. Romance in the City by the Bay
  50. The Ocean
Download the complete list here.

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