This Week in Cruise: Three New Presidents, Guest Overboard

Effective January 1, 2023, two Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) brands will have new presidents, as will Royal Caribbean Group's ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises. Here's the scoop:

  • Andrea DeMarco will become the new president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, succeeding Jason Montague. Currently serving as the line's chief sales and marketing officer, she'll become the first female president ever for an NCLH brand.
  • Frank A. Del Rio will become the new president of Oceania Cruises, succeeding Howard Sherman. Del Rio currently serves as Oceania's chief sales and marketing officer. He's the son of NCLH Chairman and CEO Frank Del Rio,
  • Barbara Muckermann will become the new president of Silversea Cruises, succeeding Roberto Martinoli. She currently serves as Silversea's chief commercial officer. 

Montague, Sherman and Martinoli will transition into new roles as special advisors for their respective cruise brands/companies.  

More Cruise News

As the clock ticks down to 2023, both Josh Weinstein, president, CEO and chief climate officer, Carnival Corporation, and Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, are saying that cruise fares are likely going to rise, as reported by the financial industry publication, The Street

Explora Journeys, the new luxury lifestyle brand of MSC Group, has unveiled 2024 inaugural season itineraries for its second ship, Explora II. Launching in summer 2024, the ship will sail to destinations in the Mediterranean, Middle East, India, Indian Ocean and Africa

Also, Riviera River Cruises has released its new 2024 voyage line-up.Travelers can choose from 14 itineraries and 301 departures. Most notable? Seven cruises are exclusively for solo travelers

In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings told cruise maritime publication Seatrade Cruise News that it's cutting 9 percent of its shoreside staff in a move to streamline operations and be more efficient. 

Two ships were named in ceremonies along the East Coast. Royal Caribbean International’s mega-ship Wonder of the Seas was christened at Port Canaveral along Florida’s "Space Coast." In the northeastern U.S., MSC Cruises’ new MSC Seascape was christened in New York City; Travel Agent was aboard for a first look and preview sailing.

Also on the fun side, Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled new activities for kids and families.

Tragedy at Sea

And sadly, late last week the U.S. Coast Guard recovered the body of a 36-year-old female passenger who had gone overboard from the MSC Meraviglia. MSC Cruises issued this statement: "Early this morning, MSC Meraviglia’s advanced detection systems alerted our crew to a passenger overboard while the ship was sailing to Port Canaveral. The crew performed an immediate search-and-rescue operation, alongside the U.S.Coast Guard who supported search efforts with boats and a helicopter. Unfortunately, despite the rapid rescue operation, the passenger sustained fatal injuries. We are offering our full support to authorities as they investigate this matter. We are deeply saddened by this incident and offer our sincerest condolences to the family and those affected."

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