CREW LIFE AT SEA TEAM
At Crew Life at Sea, we are passionate about connecting skilled professionals with life-changing opportunities aboard cruise ships. Founded by industry veterans with decades of onboard experience, our mission is to bridge the gap between exceptional talent and the unique demands of the maritime industry. Our team is a dynamic blend of cruise industry experts, recruitment specialists, and tech-savvy professionals who understand the challenges and rewards of working at sea. We take pride in providing personalized support to both candidates and employers, ensuring a seamless journey from application to onboarding. Together, we are committed to transforming dreams into reality—one career at a time.
Raymond Crystal
CEO
Ray began his career in 2001, working in the Entertainment and Deck Departments aboard cruise ships, where he gained extensive knowledge of the cruise industry. Over the years, he worked with some of the most prestigious cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Disney, Regent, Princess, and Silversea.
During his time at sea, Ray developed a deep understanding of the essential requirements and unique needs of the industry, laying the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. Combining his expertise in video production, graphic design, and technology, Ray turned his dream into reality by founding Crew Life at Sea, a recruitment agency dedicated to connecting talent with opportunities in the maritime world.
Melissa Cohen
Director of Talent Acquisition
Melissa’s career journey began at Crew Life at Sea, where she initially worked in the social media department. During this time, she actively engaged with the community, gaining valuable insights into their needs and aspirations for working onboard. Motivated by a desire to make a more direct impact, Melissa transitioned into recruitment, eager to help individuals secure their dream jobs at sea.
With a deep passion for working with people and guiding them to succeed in interviews, she dedicated herself to recruitment, steadily advancing in the field. Through her hard work and dedication, Melissa eventually rose to the role of Head of Recruitment, where she continues to thrive in helping others navigate their career paths.
Danielle Johnson
HR Manager
Danielle serves as the HR Manager at Crew Life At Sea, leveraging her background in psychology and her dedication to fostering growth within organizations.
She began her HR journey in learning and development, focusing on employee training and professional development. As her career progressed, Danielle transitioned into a generalist HR role, gaining experience across the full spectrum of human resources. Alongside recruitment, she continues to manage all HR responsibilities, ensuring smooth operations and a positive experience for employees and the organization alike.
Danielle is dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can excel and contribute to organizational success.
Kayleigh Smith
Social Media Marketing Manager
Kayleigh Smith is a dynamic and creative professional with a passion for marketing, content creation, and empowering others to reach their goals. Beyond her career, she enjoys learning, cooking, traveling, outdoor adventures, and discovering new outlets for her creativity.
At 31, Kayleigh excels as a Marketing Manager, recognized for her innovation, adaptability, and results-oriented approach. With expertise in digital marketing, branding, and content strategy, she creates campaigns that engage audiences and deliver tangible outcomes.
Her approachable demeanor and forward-thinking mindset foster strong connections, while her commitment to excellence ensures every project surpasses expectations. Driven by a love for storytelling and brand development, Kayleigh brings energy, vision, and precision to every endeavor.
Chadley Oppelt
Junior HR Officer
Chadley is a dedicated Junior HR Officer with a Diploma in Human Resource Management. He gained valuable HR experience during his internship at his previous employer, where he developed expertise in HR Utilisation, Development, and Management.
Chadley began his career at Crew Life at Sea as a recruiter, handling interviews, shortlisting, and talent selection for maritime roles. After obtaining his diploma in November 2024, he was appointed as Junior HR Officer, assisting the HR Manager with daily operations and managing criminal checks for crew members. Chadley is passionate about fostering strong employee relationships and streamlining recruitment processes, with a solid foundation in both public and private sector HR practices.
His passion for HR is evident in his dedication to continuous learning and his desire to support both employees and the organization in achieving their goals. Chadley thrives in dynamic environments and is always ready to take on new challenges with a collaborative and positive mindset.?
Zandile Zothe
German Recruiter
Zandile is deeply passionate about people and thrives on building meaningful connections, both personally and professionally. With a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology, Sociology, and Linguistics, she has always been drawn to roles that combine human interaction with making a positive impact.
As a German recruiter, Zandile primarily focuses on recruiting German-speaking candidates but also supports hiring for other roles. Leveraging her linguistic expertise, strong understanding of human behavior, and insights into societal dynamics, she ensures that the hiring and onboarding process is seamless and inclusive for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
She takes pride in helping candidates embark on their journeys in the cruise industry, supporting them in gaining financial independence and achieving their career goals. For Zandile, recruitment is more than a profession—it’s an opportunity to empower individuals, connect with their aspirations, and contribute meaningfully to their success.
Buntu Mnyengeza
Assitant Recruiter
Hlumelo Stana
Assitant Recruiter
Hlumelo is an Assistant Recruiter at Crew Life at Sea, where she plays a key role in assisting with the recruitment process, managing candidate outreach, and ensuring a seamless experience for both clients and candidates. She takes pride in contributing to the company’s success by identifying talented professionals who align with Crew Life at Sea’s mission and values.
With a natural ability to listen and a reserved, yet approachable demeanor, Hlumelo excels in building strong, trust-based relationships with both colleagues and candidates. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and spending quality time with friends, finding joy in simple pleasures and meaningful connections.
Hlumelo brings a thoughtful and dedicated approach to her work, constantly learning and growing in the recruitment field, while also contributing positively to the company culture
Definate Neshumba
Recruiter Validations
Lihle Sontaba is a skilled and creative graphic designer with a passion for producing high-quality visual content. Since joining the company at the end of 2024, Lihle has become a key part of the team, contributing to the development of engaging and impactful designs.
With a strong eye for detail and a thoughtful approach to each project, Lihle focuses on creating visuals that align with brand goals and connect with audiences. Collaborative and reliable, Lihle is committed to delivering work that meets high standards and supports the company’s creative vision.
Ayanda Mayapi
Assistant Recruiter
Meet Ayanda, a young and driven individual with a passion for collaboration and personal growth. With a strong foundation in administrative work during her school years, Ayanda developed a keen eye for detail and a knack for organization, skills she has since refined through her hands-on experience in a call centre. In this role, she not only sharpened her communication abilities but also learned the importance of being an attentive listener and a dependable team player.
Her time at the College of Cape Town further fueled her love for teamwork, as she found herself thriving in environments where collaboration and collective problem-solving were key to success. Beyond her professional skills, Ayanda is energetic, creative, and a self-proclaimed fashionista, always bringing a fresh and innovative perspective to everything she does.
She’s excited to apply her unique blend of enthusiasm, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills to her role at Crew Life at Sea, where she looks forward to growing and contributing alongside a dynamic team.
Amy Meyer
Assistant Recruiter
Meet Amy Meyer, an enthusiastic and dynamic intern joining the Crew Life at Sea team. Amy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Dynamics from Stellenbosch University, specializing in psychology and sociology, which has provided her with a deep understanding of human behaviour and social interaction.
Amy has always been drawn to the hospitality and tourism industry, where she can combine her love for people with her passion for helping others succeed. Her journey led her to pursue a post-graduate diploma in Marketing and Advertising at Red and Yellow, where she discovered how the principles of psychology play a key role in shaping effective marketing strategies. Understanding human emotions, needs, and motivations has further fuelled her desire to work in a field where she can make a positive impact on others’ experiences and lives.
With a natural affinity for communication and an organized, detail-oriented approach, Amy is excited to bring her unique perspective and skills to Crew Life at Sea As she embarks on this new journey, Amy is eager to learn, grow, and contribute to the success of the team while exploring the many opportunities that lie ahead.
Atenkosi Sikota
Assistant Recruiter
With a strong commitment to hard work and reliability, she has built a solid foundation in both event management and business administration. Holding a National Diploma in Event Management and a BTech in Business Administration, she combines her academic qualifications with hands-on experience in administration.
During her internship at a previous employer, she gained invaluable exposure to a range of administrative functions. Her responsibilities included managing reception duties, liaising with various departments, conducting surveys, and capturing data, all while ensuring the accuracy and quality of the information gathered.
This experience sharpened her organizational skills and attention to detail, making her highly proficient in managing diverse tasks in fast-paced environments. She is passionate about bringing efficiency to the workplace and is eager to contribute her skills and expertise to any team or project she is involved in
Andile Sibanda
Assistant Recruiter
Meet Andy, a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a passion for growth and learning opportunities. With an N6 HR certificate in hand, Andy has built a strong foundation in human resources, which has fueled her love for working with people. Her deep interpersonal skills, paired with her natural cheerfulness, make her a standout team player who greets every challenge with a smile.
Andy thrives in environments where problem-solving is key, always approaching obstacles with a positive attitude and a solution-oriented mindset. Her ability to connect with others and understand their needs makes her the perfect fit for helping make dreams come true for those who aspire to work on cruise ships.
Andy is excited to bring her skills, energy, and enthusiasm to Crew Life at Sea, where she looks forward to contributing to the success of the team and helping others embark on life-changing journeys.
Greg Luxolo Dikeni
Video Editor
Luxolo “Lux” Dikeni – Video Editor & Camera Operator
At just 24 years old, Luxolo Dikeni, known affectionately as “Lux,” brings an unmatched passion and dedication to the creative team. As the video editor and “Camera Guy,” Lux is the go-to expert for capturing and crafting stunning visual stories.
A graduate of AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts in Motion Picture Medium, Lux honed his skills in sound and editing, ensuring every project reflects technical precision and artistic flair. His commitment to excellence and keen eye for detail make him an integral part of the team.
Renowned for being hardworking, reliable, and always ready to go the extra mile, Lux ensures every project exceeds expectations, delivering exceptional results every time.
Lihle Sontaba
Graphic Designer
Lihle Sontaba is a skilled and creative graphic designer with a passion for producing high-quality visual content. Since joining the company at the end of 2024, Lihle has become a key part of the team, contributing to the development of engaging and impactful designs.
With a strong eye for detail and a thoughtful approach to each project, Lihle focuses on creating visuals that align with brand goals and connect with audiences. Collaborative and reliable, Lihle is committed to delivering work that meets high standards and supports the company’s creative vision.