Dondra Ritzenthaler to Join Azamara as CEO

One of the trade’s favorite cruise executives will soon be back in the saddle. Azamara has appointed former Celebrity Cruises’ senior vice president of sales, as its incoming CEO, with a start date of May 2024.

Ritzenthaler, who brings more than 40 years of experience to the job, will join the leadership team currently helmed by Chair of Azamara, Dan Hanrahan. The two worked together back when Hanrahan was president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises from 2007 to 2012.

“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,” Ritzenthaler said. “I look forward to working with the talented team and their travel partners to better serve the customer base and grow the Azamara brand.”

Also joining Azamara is Alain Ferzli as CFO, effective immediately. He brings more than 20 years of experience driving profitable growth in the cruise industry, having served as acting CFO for Virgin Voyages, and in various financial leadership roles with Royal Caribbean.

“Our team has worked diligently to maintain a solid foundation for Azamara amid unique industry-wide challenges over the last several years,” said Hanrahan. “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.”