Paul Grigsby came to the cruise industry by way of trains.
Grigsby, who is Holland America Line’s vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, grew up boating but he counts a month-long train trip through Mexico as “first real travel experience.” Shortly after graduating college, he and a friend traveled by rail from Mazatlan to Veracruz in 1987.
“We were able to take advantage of what it was like to travel in the United States back in the ‘40s and ‘50s on these old rail cars,” Grigsby told USA TODAY. “And it was a bit of a madcap adventure because of my lack of Spanish. At one point, there were two of us traveling and we were in a berth for one because I didn't translate very well.”
The trip cemented his interest in travel, especially in its nostalgic forms, which show up in the itineraries he plans these days. Grigsby spoke to USA TODAY about how he got his start, his love of travel books, and his cruise tips.
The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
