Established in 1997, Compass Speakers and Entertainment Inc. has earned a globally recognized reputation for being the industry leader in providing the world’s most exclusive cruise lines with an acclaimed selection of qualified experts for their onboard programs. Compass devotes itself to seeking innovative destination, world affairs and special interest speakers, celebrities, Gentlemen Dance Hosts®, religious service leaders, art, bridge, dance, golf, yoga and Pilates instructors. In partnership, we work with our clients to develop enrichment specific to the distinction of their oceanic itineraries, and place dedicated, prominent individuals who match the intellectual affluence of the onboard guests.
Regarded as pioneers of quality enrichment within the luxury cruise market, Compass serves the most affluent cruise lines in the world, including American Cruise Lines, Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Windstar Cruises.
For a complete list of our clients, please see our client list.
EXECUTIVE TEAMClick on individuals name to email them
Born in Ottawa, Canada, Niklas first embarked on a life of epic exploration at birth, having been around the world with his family by the time he was five years-old. An inherent step came in 1986, at the age of 16, when he began his career as a travel consultant. While studying hospitality and tourism management at Ryerson University in Toronto, he held the position of Coordinator for the British Airways Concorde for Blyth & Company. It was during this time in his burgeoning vocation that Niklas had the pleasure of working for the prestigious Young Presidents’ Organization as Tour Director for their private academies. Subsequent schooling in similar studies commenced at University of Hawaii – TIM in Honolulu and Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale.
His introduction to the cruise industry began when he joined Celebrity Cruises in 1990 as Deputy Cruise Director, a position he thoroughly enjoyed for four years. His desire to discover more of life’s rich culture led him to accept the position of Entertainment Coordinator aboard Cunard Line’s Royal Viking Sun during its 1996 World Cruise. Spellbound by the alluring mystique of the unbound sea, this experience set Niklas’ course for life as a trailblazer in the vast world of uncharted discoveries.
During his tenure onboard the Royal Viking Sun , it became apparent to Niklas that there was a distinct need for a speakers’ agency that catered exclusively to the luxury cruise industry. Circumnavigating the globe became one of the most enchanting experiences of his lifetime, and this revelation triggered his return to dry land in 1997 and the conception of Compass Speakers and Entertainment Inc. , based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His unbridled passion for sharing knowledge with fellow travelers inspired Niklas’ innovative idea of creating an impressive roster of luminaries who could evolve in a flourishing, avant-garde climate.
From 1997 to 2003, Niklas served as District Sales Manager for the Southeast United States, the Caribbean and Bermuda for the award-winning, five-star Malaysia Airlines . In 2003, Niklas was called upon to assist the entertainment department with the Crystal Symphony World Cruise . This led him to the French shipyard in St. Nazaire to assist with the inaugural launch of Crystal Serenity and her first World Cruise in 2004.
Compass has since become the leading placement agency in the world, supplying the ocean’s most prestigious cruise lines with renowned enrichment for the purpose of deepening the cultural experiences of the distinguished guests. Growing steadily each year, the company sets itself apart in the way it is governed, as Niklas’ dedicated team comprises passionate professionals with a similar love for culture, travel and diversity. With continuous panoply of new vessels being built aiding in its success, Compass shows no sign of slowing down.
Niklas’ odyssey has taken him to over 140 countries, on more than 35 different cruise ships and a multitude of airlines, as experiencing new products related to travel also inspires him. His life’s mission is to visit every country on the planet in hopes to satisfy his relentless wanderlust. Niklas is a travel connoisseur who voyages several times a year to destinations he has not yet explored, leaving in his wake a legacy of sophisticated travel.
His interests reach beyond traversing the globe’s seven continents. Niklas is also a contributor of photographs, editorials and articles to a variety of cruise and travel magazines, as he receives immense gratification from sharing with others tales of a world he has grown to know so well.
“Let the ocean be your atlas, and Compass your guide.” - Niklas Sardana III
Born and raised in the heart of the Big Apple, Anthony was educated at Queensborough and Queens College in business administration before chasing his love for cruise ship travel, eventually landing him in South Florida. In 2002, he began his journey with Compass as Director, Onboard Programs – Clergy Division. Prior to this venture, Anthony was based at the corporate headquarters as Director of Retail Operations for one of the largest optical retail chains in the nation before opening his own storefront in Boca Raton in 1999, which he ran for a few years. With more than 20 years of extensive sales and marketing experience in the optical industry, coupled with his business savvy and personality, Anthony’s invaluable affiliation with the Compass team has been a remarkable asset. Since joining Compass, Anthony has developed a strong roster of candidates and oversees all clergy (priest, rabbi and protestant ministers), art instructor and bridge instructor placements on the luxury ships that we represent.
Jennifer united with Compass in 2009 and assumed the role of Director, Onboard Programs – Enrichment Division. Prior to joining Compass, she worked for a renowned hotel and resort corporation to assist in the grand opening of one of their beachside convention properties. She later managed their recreation department where she was entrusted with the direction of the fitness center, children’s program, upscale retail boutique, and coordinating special events. Seeking a new challenge, Jennifer joined the public sector in administrative capacities for one of South Florida’s fastest growing cities, assisting their recreation department with marketing and human resources. Jennifer then transitioned into the cruise industry to source enrichment talent for several cruise lines and coordinating their travel details. Now, as a valued component of the Compass team, she focuses on the placement of destination, world affairs and special interest speakers for its clients. Jennifer also regularly sources new visionary speakers and celebrities to engage the onboard guests.
Andrew Poulton Director, Onboard Programs Enrichment Division
Andrew was raised in rural Kenya. Throughout childhood, he dreamed of traveling the world and was fascinated by all modes of transportation. As fate would have it, his first job after college was with the marketing department of Cunard Line in London, and he has since spent his entire career in the cruise industry. After 16 years with Cunard (the last 12 of these in Manhattan), he moved to Florida to join Regent Seven Seas Cruises, where he spent 13 years in the areas of marketing, advertising and public relations. Here, he was part of the team that transformed the fledgling line from a niche operator with small vessels into a state of the art collection of all-suite, all-balcony ships. He then spent eight years with Silversea Cruises managing the enrichment and entertainment department, implementing new production shows and introducing many new guest speakers to the enrichment program. Andrew was thrilled to join Compass as it embarked on their 20th year of operation in 2018.
Dorine joined Compass as the Director, Gentlemen Host Programin 2019. Prior to this capacity, Dorine worked as Enrichment Administrator for Viking Ocean Cruises. Having studied classical dance while in school, she began a professional dance career at the age of 17, touring Europe and the Middle East. Dorine spent the next three years as a dancer and singer for Princess Cruises. Her dream subsequently came true when she won the role of “Connie Wong” in A Chorus Line. In addition to dancing, Dorine was a social hostess for Princess Cruises and Royal Viking Line. Before moving to South Florida, she held the title of HR Manager for KCET Public Broadcasting in Los Angeles. Besides her love for travel, Dorine holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a 1st degree black belt in Haedong Kumdo.
Born in Matanzas, Cuba, Rosa immigrated to the United States as a child with her family and now considers herself a native Floridian. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Barry University in Miami with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, and began her career in the cruise industry when she joined Silversea Cruises in 2005. Initially hired as a receptionist and assistant to HR, she later transitioned to the role of Entertainment Coordinator for several years before moving up the trajectory to the position of Executive Assistant, Vessel Operations. Rosa joined Compass Speakers in 2017, supporting several divisions and members of team. Her keen interpersonal skills, knowledge of shore-side operations, appreciation for global travel and “can do” attitude are an invaluable asset to the Compass family.
A native of Los Angeles, California, Sena joined Compass in 2009 as Onboard Programs Coordinator while living in Fort Lauderdale during a brief period after college. With a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge, her career background in the writing realm includes writing and copy editing for a variety of local and international fitness and lifestyle magazines, an Inc. 500 SEO company, and an online dating blog, to name a few. Now residing in the Omaha, Nebraska area, Sena continues to remain a valuable element to Compass while working remotely as their in-house staff writer and copy editor. She oversees the overall accuracy of the different divisions’ bios and has written cruise-related articles. With a knack for people and a passion for creativity and organization, Sena brings to Compass her intuitive nature in regards to the English language, and her devout appreciation towards the realm of travel and writing.