Note to readers: Pam is on vacation, but she sent us some stories before she left. So while you will see her byline, we are posting on her behalf while she enjoys a well-deserved break.

Cruise Director Jason Venner

Fasten your seat belt and get ready to meet one of the most energetic and vibrant people I know: Eurodam’s Cruise Director Jason Venner. From the state of Oregon, he represents the America in Holland America Line — but he is anything but rural or “cookie cutter.”

Jason exudes a genuine realness that anyone can relate to. “I am the same person that you see in the hall, on stage and at breakfast,” he said.

As an only child, Jason was home schooled by his mom on a ranch in Oregon’s remote region of the Strawberry Mountain Range until eighth grade. He had no electricity, running water or a telephone! Jason says that he would take small-town rustic life over a big city any day. He loves the great outdoors and cannot get enough of his passions for rock climbing, skydiving, bungee jumping, backpacking and motorcycling riding.

His personal goal list is just as active as he is. Jason hopes to ride his motorcycle on Highway 101 from Portland, Oregon, down to Mexico, and become a certified solo skydiver and a master scuba diver. Once he “lands” from ships, his ultimate aspiration is to own his own adventure-sport company.

Jason arrived at ships in an unconventional way. His dream of furthering his football career ended due to an injury that led him to pursue his second passion — travel. It was just 10 days after his college graduation in June 2002 that he was hired by Holland America Line as a member of the entertainment team. in only 14 months he sailed through the positions of cruise staff, sports director, DJ and senior assistant cruise director, ultimately reaching the top as cruise director.

Jason’s belief that no two people are the same is reflected in his style when it comes to relating to guests. “I try to appeal to everyone. The best part of my job is being on stage and making people laugh. To relax anxious guests waiting for a tender to go ashore, I get the whole crowd involved and have them repeat after me: We are all on vacation. That always gets everyone laughing together,” he explained.

Difficult aspects of his job are being away from family, missing real daily life things like selecting his own groceries and not having weekends off. However, one of his personal wishes is to bring from ships to land the close-knit camaraderie that is the hallmark of community ship life. “You, eat, work and play with the same people in one place and build strong bonds with great people from all over the world,” Jason said.

When asked what his favorite memory of ships is so far, Jason recalls being on the Noordam when the ship assisted in a rescue operation of 23 people and he also recalled being the cruise director who assisted Captain van Donselaar stage his marriage proposal to me during the Captain’s Welcome Reception among 500 guests on the Oosterdam just before Valentine’s Day 2005.

“Settle down” are words Jason seldom uses. When asked what he will do on his upcoming vacation, he enthusiastically revealed a whirlwind adventure of backpacking in Thailand!

On a final note, Jason wanted to added his personal mantra: “Remember that it is far better to go for it and regret your actions in life than it is to regret the fact that you never tried. Step outside of your comfort zone, try something new today and help us make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

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