Director of Hotel Operations, Princess Tours

Meet Our Destination Expert:

5 Revealing Questions

Steve Zadra

Director of Hotel Operations, Princess Tours

Number of Years with Princess:

22

Number of Countries Visited:

25

Hometown:

Anchorage, Alaska

A little about my job:

I oversee operations for three of our Alaska wilderness lodges – at Denali, Mt. McKinley and Copper River – and lead guest services for all five of our Alaska lodges including Kenai and Fairbanks.

1.

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

I’m a big music fan and pretty much don’t go anywhere without music… especially for long plane rides. I also will typically have a Rick Steves book handy as I enjoy his travel insight and perspectives on traveling the less beaten path.

2.

What’s your most treasured travel souvenir?

Nativity sets from around the world – made mostly from wood, but some are sculpted as well – all handmade. I like the different ways the scenes are presented and the care that has obviously been put into creating them. I found Poland to have amazing handcrafted art.

3.

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

I went on a trip to Beijing in the late 90s with some friends and one night we went to a buffet with a local travel guide. The tables were arranged with a pot of seasoned boiling water in the center of them, and you cooked whatever you picked out from the buffet, eating it fondue-style. One section of the buffet was stocked with live animals – mostly seafood – crustaceans and small fish. I will never forget it.

4.

What’s your travel motto?

Keep an open mind, be flexible, and live for the experience.

5.

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

I would like to raft the Grand Canyon. I went to college in Flagstaff, AZ and have hiked the Grand Canyon but would love to see it from the water. Also on the list… I’d like to go to Cooperstown, NY for the Baseball Hall of Fame; visit Thailand and Spain; go on an African Safari, and experience Bavaria & the Holy Lands at Christmas time.

Read this expert's Essential Experience

17 Comments

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  1. Steve M says... April 16, 2011 | 1:52pm

    Hi Steve,
    I notice that you are actually listed on the same page as Gavin McLeod! I’m a huge fan.
    Have you ever met him? Is he actually as smart and witty as his Captain Steubing character?
    Thanks (you lucky dog),
    Steve M

    Reply
    • Steve Zadra says... June 23, 2011 | 4:23pm

      Ha! Unfortunately, no.. I have never met Gavin MacLeod, but have thoroughly enjoyed his shows, and of course, his representation of Princess Cruises!

  2. Francine Seltzer says... March 3, 2011 | 9:33am

    where does one board the ship for the Alaska cruise?
    We have been on the Star Princess & the Crown Princess & absolutely loved our cruises. We live in Potomac, MD & we would like to know where we fly to board the ship?

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... March 3, 2011 | 4:50pm

      Hi Francine,
      Our cruises to Alaska travel from roundtrip Seattle, roundtrip San Francisco, Vancouver to Whittier, Whittier to Vancouver in 2011. We expect for our 2012 Alaska itineraries to be available by the middle of this March.
      For more information on these Alaska cruises please visit:
      http://www.princess.com/learn/destinations/alaska/index.html

  3. victoria wang says... January 9, 2011 | 5:10pm

    we really enjoy your post artical~

    Reply
    • Steve says... January 18, 2011 | 11:40am

      Many thanks!

  4. Carla Cedeira says... January 4, 2011 | 1:05pm

    Hello Steve, Happy new year, I see my brother wrote to you. I’m happy to see you are soing so well, what a cool thing to do to be in Australia for New Years !!!!!.
    I hope everything goes great for you and your family in the new year, take care and come and say hi when you’re in Seattle.

    Reply
    • Steve says... January 18, 2011 | 11:33am

      Thanks, Carla! Happy 2011 to you and your great family as well!!

  5. mark says... January 2, 2011 | 10:18pm

    Greetings Steve, I have searched and read comments on the net for a week now about stateroom L102 Lido Deck on the Caribbean Princess. Please give me your honest opinion as to the amount of noise that this stateroom will receive from the gym and excersize room above it. I would very much like to write a raving reveiw about this anniversary cruise that my lovely bride and I are taking.
    Thank you inadvance, Mark

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... January 14, 2011 | 9:08am

      Hi Mark,

      Happy anniversary! Passengers experience noise and vibrations very differently as it is so subjective. We recommend you discuss any concerns and individual habits with your Travel Agent to help ensure you’ve found a stateroom that’s right for you.

  6. sandy caricari says... December 30, 2010 | 6:10pm

    my husband and I were lucky enough to be in Australia 7 years ago on Australia Day. I think it is around the 24th of January. It was an unforgettagle trip seeing all the boats, barges, and ferries decorated in the water. Bondi Beach and the Queen Elizabeth building were wonderful as well. Bondi Beach was like Atlantic City . You need at least 4weeks to tour all of Australia. In August, we are doing a Baltic cruise. Do you recommend any tours.

    Reply
    • Steve says... January 18, 2011 | 11:39am

      Sandy – glad to hear you had a great visit to Australia as well… what an amazing country!

      Regarding the Baltic… I’m sure it will be a great trip, but I’m sorry – I don’t have any personal recommendations.

      Thanks for your comments!

  7. Jim says... December 29, 2010 | 8:15pm

    Hi Steve, I am hoping you can answer this. We are cruising to Alaska on Princess Sept 10th and doing the landtour, stayin at the Princess Mckinley and Denal Lodges. I have celiac disease and need to comply 100% to a gluten free diet. I know aboard ship I will be ok, but am wondering if the hotel/lodges offer gluten free menus as well. Thank you

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... January 14, 2011 | 9:08am

      Hi Jim,

      Once you get to the lodge you can ask to speak to the Food and Beverage Manager to communicate your needs. They do try their best to be accommodating. If you would like to see the options for gluten free meals in advance you can also call the lodges directly, but they do not open until May.

      Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge:
      Phone: (907) 733-2900
      Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge:
      Phone: (907) 683-2282

    • Steve says... January 18, 2011 | 11:33am

      Jim – you may also contact our Food and Beverage Operations Manager for our Lodges – his name is Philippe Janicka, and you may send your questions and concerns directly to him via email at: pjanicka@princesstours.com. He’d be happy to assist. Thank you for coming to visit the great state of Alaska with Princess!

  8. Pablo Cedeira says... December 29, 2010 | 4:51pm

    Steve, how you been? I don’t know if you are going to get this. You probably don’t remember me. We worked together at Princess Tours in the early 90′s. I’m Carla’s brother, she still works there. I’m really glad to see you’re still working with Princess and it seems you’re doing good. I hope everything is going great for you.

    Reply
    • Steve says... January 18, 2011 | 11:40am

      Howdy, Pablo!! You bet I remember you – great to hear from you and I hope all is well for you and yours.

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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
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  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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