Austrian CEO who was once a waiter shares how he built Rs 8,000-crore cruise business

In an interview aboard a Cordelia Cruises ship, Austrian CEO Jurgen Bailom spoke about building his Rs 8000 crore business after starting out as a waiter. He talked about his rise, the scale of the cruise operation and his simple advice on money and work.Austrian CEO who was once a waiter shares how he built Rs 8,000-crore cruise business (Photos: @navan.jaiswal/Instagram)An Austrian CEO who once started his career as a waiter has gone viral after sharing how he went from serving tables to running a cruise business he says is valued at nearly Rs 8,000 crore.YouTuber Navan Jaiswal shared the conversation in an Instagram video after interviewing Jurgen Bailom, CEO of Cordelia Cruises, aboard the cruise ship.During their conversation, Bailom spoke about his career, the scale of the cruise business in India and the lessons he had learnt along the way.In the video, Jaiswal was seen approaching Bailom and asking him about his company. Bailom said Cordelia Cruises currently held around 99% of the evening cruise market and put the brand's valuation at “almost close to Rs 8000 crores." He also said the business generated around 800 crore annually from its one ship.When asked why he chose to build a cruise business in India, Bailom pointed to the country's coastline and said having a cruise business in India was “a no-brainer." He also spoke about how cruises could become a trend among Indians, crediting influencers, social media and even films shot aboard the ship for helping introduce more people to the experience. But the part of the conversation that caught attention was Bailom's own career journey.Asked what his first job was nearly 40 years ago, he simply replied: “Waiter.” He explained that he learnt to understand different markets, people and cultures as he moved through his career, which he said helped him rise professionally.Bailom also gave Jaiswal a glimpse into the complexity of running a cruise business. He said the industry was highly regulated and could be “30, 40 times more complex than an airline." He mentioned that the ship typically carried around 1,800 guests along with 600 crew members.When the conversation turned to money, Bailom's advice was surprisingly simple: “Don't spend it if you don't have to.” He added that he did not believe people should constantly chase money, saying, “Money is running after you if you know what to do.”And when asked how he wanted to be remembered, the CEO had an answer far removed from business titles or financial success: “I would like to be remembered as a nice guy.”For anyone hoping to climb the career ladder, Bailom's final advice was equally straightforward: work hard, do something you genuinely enjoy and be passionate about it.Watch the video here:The video prompted several viewers to reflect on his journey. One person said his story was motivational if he had indeed started out as a waiter, while another said his final advice felt particularly timely.Someone else claimed they had known Bailom since the 1990s, when he was a head waiter aboard the MJ.From waiting tables to leading a cruise business, Bailom's story is proof that a first job does not necessarily determine where a career ends.- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Sep 9, 2026 13:19 IST