Cruise industry mourns Capt. Paris Katsoufis

Katsoufis was injured in a bicycle accident nine days earlier and died in the hospital, surrounded by his family.

Born and educated in Greece, he became a captain while still in his 20s and sailed worldwide. He went to the US to establish operations for Carras Cruises, eventually settling in Miami and running several cruise brands before ultimately founding Kyma Ship Management, which he chaired.

'He was one of the original successful Greek entrepreneurs,' said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises, who succeeded Katsoufis at the Cunard helm in 1998. Katsoufis was 'very grassroots in his orientation and very loyal to people who were loyal to him.'

'Paris was a character, a pioneer in the industry, an entrepreneur and an all-around good guy,' according to Ken Dubbin, a veteran senior executive of Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. who had business dealings with Katsoufis over ship sales and recalled his grit in negotiations.

While they had tough exchanges, sometimes down to the last knife, fork and spare part, they were able to come to terms and Dubbin said they developed a professional and personal friendship. He called Katsoufis a 'man of integrity' and 'the only one who knew how to operate the old steam ships and make money with them.'

Growing up in a small village in the western Peloponnese, Katsoufis attended the Merchant Marine Academy of Kymi and obtained his master mariner's license. At 29, he became the youngest captain in his employer's cargo fleet.

He went on to work for Carras Cruises from 1972 to 1980 and established operations for Daphne and Danae in the United States, first in New York and then in San Francisco. He finally settled in Miami at his new position at Ulysses Cruises, operating Dolphin IV in the three- and four-night cruise market.

He became president and co-founder of Dolphin Cruise Line in 1984 and then built Majesty Cruise Line. At their peak, they operated five ships.

'His Royal Majesty came along at the right time and really helped us expand our corporate business. I always appreciated our group negotiations with Captain Katsoufis and respected him so much,' said Jo Kling, president of Landry & Kling Global Cruise Events in Miami.

Katsoufis served as president and COO of Cunard for a stint in the mid-1990s when it was owned by Kvaerner ASA, relocating the brand and helping position it for a sale. When Carnival Corp. led an investment group to acquire Cunard in 1998 and put it together with Seabourn, Katsoufis stepped down and was succeeded by Larry Pimentel, who became president and CEO of the combined Seabourn/Cunard group.

For the past 19 years Katsoufis chaired Kyma Ship Management, a Miami-based company he formed. It managed a number of cruise and cargo vessels, including Topaz, which Kyma chartered for several years to the Japanese travel group Japan Grace and the Peaceboat organization. Kyma also acquired P&O Cruises' Victoria and renamed it Mona Lisa. Charterers included Germany's Holiday Kreuzfahrten.

Up until his death Katsoufis remained active in the business, where he was joined by sons George and Lambros.

In addition to his sons, Katsoufis is survived by his wife Fani and four grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Stanfill Funeral Homes, 10545 S. Dixie Highway, Miami, with funeral services to follow at noon Saturday at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2401 SW 3rd Ave., Miami. Burial will be in the family plot in Greece.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Archimedean Academy. Checks can be made payable to 'Archimedean Academy Inc. in memory of Paris Katsoufis' c/o Dimitris Bardoutstos, 12425 SW 72nd St., Miami, FL 33183.

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