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Our Team

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Meet Ralph de Klijn

Founder and Managing Director

A Journey of Progressive Leadership

"My 25-year journey in maritime and hospitality began in traditional hotel operations before venturing into the cruise industry. This foundation in hospitality, combined with progressive shipboard roles and eventually Hotel General Manager positions at prestigious lines like Silversea, Seabourn, and Regent Seven Seas, provided invaluable insights into the delicate balance of maritime operations and luxury service delivery."


Innovation and Strategic Growth

"Moving into Sales and Marketing at Regent Seven Seas Cruises opened new horizons, offering a broader perspective of the industry's commercial dynamics. This experience proved instrumental during my tenure at Viking Ocean Cruises, where I contributed to one of cruise industry's most compelling growth stories. As part of the team launching six vessels in five years, we focused on innovative guest experiences, including creating the world's first full-dome planetarium at sea, while maintaining operational efficiency."


Crisis Management and Strategic Advisory

"A defining moment came during the Viking Sky incident in 2019, where our team's emergency response demonstrated the critical importance of preparedness and guest-centric decision-making in challenging situations. This experience reinforced my belief in the value of comprehensive safety protocols and clear crisis communication. Later, transitioning into advisory roles, I've had the privilege of supporting private equity firms in cruise industry acquisitions, helping bridge operational expertise with strategic investment planning."


iStrive: Bridging Excellence

"Today, as iStrive's founder, I draw upon lessons learned from some of the industry's finest minds across hotel operations, technical operators & suppliers, and nautical expertise. This comprehensive understanding allows me to provide well-rounded support to our global client base of cruise lines, resorts, yacht services, and private equity firms. By combining insights from all maritime and hospitality disciplines, we help our clients navigate toward sustainable success while maintaining the highest standards of service excellence."

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Meet Johan Halvarsson

Partner

From Ship to Shore Excellence

"My maritime journey began in the cruise industry, where I was fortunate to grow through various roles across both luxury and contemporary cruise lines. Starting from the fundamentals of guest service, each position - from entry-level to senior management - taught me valuable lessons about creating exceptional experiences at sea. This diverse exposure across different cruise segments has deeply influenced my approach to hospitality leadership."

 

Transformative Resort Leadership

"A pivotal moment in my career came with the Maho Group of Companies, overseeing their Sonesta Resorts portfolio in St. Maarten. When faced with the challenge of rebuilding the largest resorts in the Dutch Caribbean after a devastating hurricane, our team came together to accomplish something remarkable. Beyond the physical reconstruction, we seized the opportunity to reimagine service standards and operational frameworks, turning adversity into a catalyst for positive change."

 

Global Expertise, Local Touch

"Throughout my journey, both at sea and on land, I've been privileged to learn from exceptional teams and challenging situations. Each experience has reinforced a fundamental truth: successful hospitality management isn't just about systems and standards - it's about understanding people and creating meaningful connections."

 

Leading iStrive's Hospitality Vision

"Today at iStrive, I'm grateful to combine my background in maritime and land-based operations to support our clients' success. By blending the precision learned from cruise operations with the warmth of resort hospitality, we help organizations enhance their service delivery while maintaining operational excellence. It's about creating solutions that work for both the business and its people."

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