Dondra Ritzenthaler has retired as senior vice president of sales, trade support, and service for Celebrity Cruises and will be joining small-ship cruise line Azamara in May 2024 once her noncompete clause expires. Carol Cabezas, who has served as the president of Azamara since 2017, will be leaving her role immediately.
With 40 years of experience in the travel industry, Ritzenthaler spent the previous 20 years with Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. Prior to that, she held various sales and marketing leadership roles at American Airlines for nearly 20 years. Until Ritzenthaler assumes her new role in 2024, Dan Hanrahan, the chair of Azamara, will provide leadership and oversight of the team.
Expressing her excitement for the new role, Ritzenthaler said, “Azamara provides a unique and exciting offering within the luxury cruise space, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the company into its next chapter. I look forward to working with the talented team and their travel partners to better serve the customer base and grow the Azamara brand.”
In addition to Ritzenthaler’s appointment, Azamara has announced the addition of Alain Ferzli as chief financial officer, effective immediately. With over 20 years of experience driving profitable growth in the cruise industry, Ferzli has served as the acting CFO for Virgin Voyages and held various financial leadership roles with Royal Caribbean.
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Commenting on these appointments, Hanrahan stated, “Dondra and Alain’s deep knowledge of and experience leading cruise lines will support the shift of our focus to expanding our business and realizing Azamara’s full potential.”
These announcements come at a time when the cruise industry is facing unique challenges. However, Azamara remains focused on its expansion plans and future growth under the leadership of experienced and knowledgeable professionals like Ritzenthaler and Ferzli.
In other related news, Azamara has unveiled its 2026 World Cruise, expanding its offerings for travelers seeking unique and immersive experiences. Additionally, Crystal Cruises has announced its 2025 Grand Journeys, providing another option for luxury travelers looking for unforgettable global experiences.
As the cruise industry continues to evolve and adapt to the changing travel landscape, small-ship cruises are becoming increasingly popular. Intimate explorers offer a more personalized and flexible experience for travelers, allowing them to explore the globe in a comfortable and luxurious manner. Viking Cruises has recently filed a lawsuit against Arch Insurance Group, highlighting the legal challenges that companies in the cruise industry are facing.
Overall, the cruise industry is ripe with change and new opportunities, and the appointments at Azamara, as well as the announcements from other cruise lines, reflect the industry’s resilience and commitment to providing exceptional experiences for travelers around the world.
This article originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com. For more related content, you can explore the articles provided on luxurytraveladvisor.com, which offer insight into the latest developments and offerings in the cruise industry.
