Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Air
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle
"

NCL Holdings' Frank Del Rio to Retire, Replacement Announced

by Dori Saltzman / March 20, 2023
headshots of frank del rio and harry sommer norwegian cruise line

Harry Sommer (r) will replace Frank Del Rio (l) as president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. 

After more than 30 years in the cruise industry, Frank J. Del Rio will retire at the end of June 2023. Harry J. Sommer, the current president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, will take Del Rio's place. The transition will begin April 1 when Sommer will become president and CEO-Elect in a transitional role, where he will oversee all three of the cruise company's brands and tri-branded departments, reporting to Del Rio. Taking Sommer's place as head of NCL will be David J. Herrera, NCL's current chief consumer sales and marketing officer.

When he retires, Del Rio will also be stepping down from his spot on the cruise company's Board of Directors. He will, however, continue to serve the Board in a consultant capacity as a Senior Advisor through 2025. Sommer will take Del Rio's position on the board.

Del Rio has led Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. since 2015. Prior to that he led Prestige Cruise International, Inc., and its predecessor, which operated Oceanian Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, from 2002 until its acquisition by Norwegian. Del Rio founded Oceania Cruises in 2002.

Under his leadership at NCL Holdings Ltd., the company added eight new ships and introduced NCL's second private island destination, Harvest Caye.

"On behalf of the Board and the entire organization, I thank Frank for his invaluable contributions to this Company and the cruise industry throughout the last 30 years," said Russell W. Galbut, chairman of the Board of Directors of Norwegian Cruises Line Holdings, Ltd. "He had delivered superior financial results, expanded our fleet with luxurious and innovative ships, strengthened our global footprint and deliverd unparalleled experiences for our guests. His passion and dedication will have a lasting impact on both our business and the industry at large."

"Leading Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career," said Frank Del Rio. "My heartfelt gratitude goes out to our 39,000 team members around the globe whose innovation, tenacity and collaboration have strengthened this Company and built the industry's most passionate and loyal base of cruisers. With the Company solidly positioned for 2023 and beyond, I am confident that now is the right time to pass the baton to Harry."

NCL Holdings' New Chapter
Sommer has more than 30 years of cruise industry experience across sales, marketing, revenue, management, passenger services, itinerary development and international business development and operations. During his tenure in the industry, Sommer has held a variety of executive roles at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Prestige Cruise Holdings, Renaissance Cruises and Viking River Cruises.

In addition to his role as president and CEO of NCL, Sommer recently expanded his responsibilities to include oversight for all of the company's other revenue-generating functional areas, including Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the tri-branded Onboard Revenue department.

"The Board is thrilled to appoint Harry to succeed Frank as the Company's next CEO, -- the culmination of a thoughtful succession planning process. A highly experienced leader and operator, Harry has worked alongside Frank for many years and helped drive the success of our largest, award-winning brand during a critical time. He successfully relaunched the NCL fleet following a more than 500-day pause, delivered the game-changing Norwegian Prima, the first of six ships in the brand's new class, and let the team to a record-breaking booking year in 2022."

"I am incredibly humbled to succeed Frank as this iconic Company's next president and CEO, and I'm grateful to have the unwavering support of him and the Board to lead the Company as we embark on the next chapter for our storied brands," Sommer said. "I'm particularly happy that David will be leading Norwegian Cruise Line as he has been a key contributor to NCL's success in recent years. With his strong financial, sales, marketing and business development background, David will be further empowered to guide the NCL brand on an accelerated path forward."

David Herrera currently serves as chief consumer sales and marketing officer for NCL, responsible for driving demand and global market share across NCL's key global source markets. In his role, he oversees the organization's consumer advertising and promotional strategy, as well as direct outbound and online sales channels.

  50
  0
Related Articles
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Launches Advisor Incentives
Oceania Cruises Takes Delivery of Vista
Oceania Cruises Extends Free Land Program Into 2024
John Chernesky Replaces Todd Hamilton as SVP of North American Sales at Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s New President Confirms His Commitment to the Trade
Beetlejuice The Musical to Headline on Norwegian Viva Cruise Ship
Travel Agency Community Responds to Frank Del Rio Retirement
Norwegian Cruise Line Reverses Decision on Muster Drills
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces Epic 2026 World Cruise
Oceania Cruises Names Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis Godmother of Vista

MOST VIEWED

  1. U.S. State Department Updates Jamaica Travel Warning to Level 3
  2. First Hand Look at the Soon-to-Open Sam Lord's Castle Barbados, A Wyndham Grand Resort
  3. Vantage Travel Website Down, Cruises Canceled Last Minute
  4. TSA Will Now Allow Teens to Access PreCheck with Parents or Guardians
  5. Tips for Delivering Bad News to Your Clients
  6. 25 Qualifying Questions to Help You Nail Your Clients' Vacation Plans

MOST EMAILED

  1. 5 Reasons You Need to Use a Travel Advisor Now More Than Ever
  2. First Hand Look at the Soon-to-Open Sam Lord's Castle Barbados, A Wyndham Grand Resort
  3. U.S. State Department Updates Jamaica Travel Warning to Level 3
  4. Vantage Travel Website Down, Cruises Canceled Last Minute
  5. U.S. to End COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for International Travelers
  6. 25 Qualifying Questions to Help You Nail Your Clients' Vacation Plans
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Silversea Cruises Unveils 140-Day World Cruise for 2026
Silversea Cruises Unveils 140-Day World Cruise for 2026

The 140-day journey will call at the highest number of destinations in the line's history.

Read...
Here Are the New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2024
Here Are the New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2024

All the new ocean cruise ships coming out in 2024. 

Read...
Atlas Ocean Voyages Adds Third Ship, Launches New Loyalty Program
Atlas Ocean Voyages Adds Third Ship, Launches New Loyalty Program

The expansion to a three-ship fleet is a year ahead of schedule. 

Read...
Lindblad Is Latest Cruise Line to Add Starlink Wi-Fi
Lindblad Is Latest Cruise Line to Add Starlink Wi-Fi

Seven ships in the Lindblad fleet already have the super-fast Internet service. 

Read...
Riviera River Cruises Extends At-Par Pricing for Canadian Travel Advisors
Riviera River Cruises Extends At-Par Pricing for Canadian Travel Advisors

Canadian advisors can save their clients hundreds of dollars on 2023 European river cruises. 

Read...
Viking Extends Europe River Season with New Rhine Itinerary & More Christmas Market Sailings
Viking Extends Europe River Season with New Rhine Itinerary & More Christmas Market Sailings

For the first time in its history, Viking will offer river cruising in Europe all year long. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
Cruise Trend Outlook 2023
river cruise 2022
group outlook 2022
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/TIZwKLcPwbg/0.jpg
We Appreciate our Travel Advisors
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Tours & Packages |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Air |Training & Events |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy