Our Captains

Captain Mikael Degerlund started his seafaring career as a Deck Boy in 1981 at the tender age of 16. By 1989 he had gained his Chief Officer’s licence and in 1995 earned his Master’s licence, enabling him to realise his dreams of becoming a Captain. He worked for cruise lines including Viking Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and P&O Cruises before joining Fred. Olsen in March 2012.

Mikael has seen the world from on board our ships, captaining all kinds of cruises from short breaks to epic circumnavigations of the globe. His favourite destinations include the beautiful Baltic countries and the spectacular French Polynesian island of Moorea where, during an Around the World cruise in early 2016, he stepped ashore to get married in paradise. He always enjoys meeting our guests and making them smile, particularly those who return to their ‘home from home at sea’ time and time again.

When he’s not sailing around the world, Captain Degerlund splits his time between his homes in Finland and Spain, spending his days with his wife, two grown-up children and his friends. His hobbies and interests include sailing, golfing, skiing, hiking, gardening and travelling. We've taken the chance to ask Captain Degerlund a few important questions about life on board.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Captain Rommel Pineda has enjoyed several years of sailing the world’s oceans with Fred. Olsen so far. After graduating Merchant Maritime College, Rommel joined us in 1996 and has been an important part of our crew ever since. In 2017, Rommel flourished when he was temporarily promoted to Captain, so stepping up to role permanently in 2018 was an easy transition.

Having spent his entire seafaring career with us, Captain Pineda has visited some of the greatest destinations on earth aboard our ships. As a nature lover, Rommel lists Norway, Iceland, Greenland and the stunning South Pacific islands among his best places to visit. In the future, he hopes for a chance to guide guests to the North Pacific region, and take in China, South Korea, Japan and Alaska.

Aside from discovering the world, Captain Pineda relishes building a rapport with his fellow crew members and Fred. Olsen guests alike. He believes what sets working for and cruising with Fred. Olsen apart from the rest of our industry is the welcoming atmosphere of our smaller ships and the friendliness of the people on board; as well as the variety of cruises we offer.

In his spare time, Rommel makes the most of his time at home to catch up with family and friends.

A proud Norwegian, Captain Steffan Ravneng was born and raised in Sarpsborg, a city in Southern Norway situated on the Glomma – the country’s largest river – and surrounded by the beautiful waterways and landscapes of the fjordland.

Having formed a connection with the water during his formative years, spent enjoying life by the Glomma and the nearby Sarpefossen waterfall, Steffan always aspired for a maritime career. So, after completing his qualifications, he set about becoming a seafarer, which soon led to working in various roles for a number of companies including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Star Cruises.

Since joining Fred. Olsen in March 2016, Steffan has spent time working on board Boudicca, Braemar, Borealis and Bolette in roles such as Senior Safety Officer, Chief Officer and Staff Captain. In 2022, he was delighted and extremely proud to finally become Captain Ravneng, when he took the helm of Balmoral when she returned to service.

Steffan’s favourite Fred. Olsen experiences so far include the memorable Captains in Cádiz event and Amazon River explorations, while he’s looking forward to discovering the paradise islands of the Pacific. When not on board, Captain Ravneng returns to Norway to enjoy time with family and friends, and indulge his passion for home and garden improvements.  

Captain Davor hails from the coastal city of Rijeka in Croatia, and has been part of the Fred. Olsen family since February 2013. Having previously worked for Princess Cruise Line, he began his Fred. Olsen career as Safety Officer, before a worthy promotion to Chief Officer just a year later.

He has worked on all of Fred. Olsen’s cruise ships except Black Prince, but his favourite is Bolette. He found his time after the pandemic with getting Bolette and Borealis back sailing a huge success, both personally and as part of a great team. Captain Davor loves to meet our guests on board, and seeing so many familiar faces around the ship makes him feel like he’s at home; but meeting new to Fred. Olsen guests warms his heart as it means our family is growing.

Captain Davor particularly enjoys cruising to the Norwegian Fjords – as Fred. Olsen’s homeland it has both nature and scenery that’s breath-taking; and one of the new places he hasn’t visited is the Philippine Archipelago, so this is on his list to visit one day.

During his spare time, Captain Davor enjoys family time at home in Croatia, where they explore Croatian Islands and coast on his boat, and swimming in the area’s blue waters – he’s never far away from the sea! He relishes riding his motorcycle during the colder months, and fishing too.