Azamara Announces New Leadership with Dondra Ritzenthaler as CEO and Alain Ferzli as CFO
Azamara, a renowned player in the luxury cruise industry, has announced significant changes to its executive team, appointing Dondra Ritzenthaler as the new Chief Executive Officer and Alain Ferzli as the Chief Financial Officer.
Dondra Ritzenthaler: A Veteran in the Travel Industry
- Extensive Experience: Ritzenthaler brings over 40 years of experience in the travel industry, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support, and Services for the Americas at Celebrity Cruises.
- Previous Roles: Before her two-decade tenure with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, Ritzenthaler held various sales and marketing leadership roles at American Airlines.
- CEO Appointment: She will begin her role as CEO of Azamara in May 2024. Until then, Dan Hanrahan, Chair of Azamara, will lead the company.
Alain Ferzli: A Proven Financial Leader
- Industry Expertise: Ferzli possesses over 20 years of experience in the cruise industry, having previously served as the acting Chief Financial Officer for Virgin Voyages and holding various financial leadership roles at Royal Caribbean.
- CFO Role: His appointment as CFO of Azamara is effective immediately.
Leadership Comments and Future Goals
- Ritzenthaler’s Vision: On her new role, Ritzenthaler expressed excitement about leading Azamara into its next chapter, focusing on serving the customer base and growing the brand.
- Hanrahan’s Perspective: Commenting on the appointments, Hanrahan highlighted the importance of Ritzenthaler and Ferzli’s experience in driving growth and realizing Azamara’s full potential, especially in light of recent industry-wide challenges.
The appointment of Dondra Ritzenthaler and Alain Ferzli marks a new era for Azamara, as the company aims to expand its business and reinforce its position in the luxury cruise market. With their extensive experience and proven track records, Ritzenthaler and Ferzli are expected to bring valuable insights and leadership to the company, steering Azamara towards continued success and innovation in the cruise industry.