Incumbent Norwegian Cruise Line chief executive officer Kevin Sheehan is set to depart the line after the Board of Directors voted in favour of Prestige Cruises International boss Frank Del Rio.
The move comes less than two months after Norwegian completed the buyout of Prestige and its brands Oceania Cruises
and Regent Seven Seas Cruises for US$3.025 billion (CW 20 Nov).
Sheehan said it had been a privilege to lead the line over the last seven years.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished, and take comfort in the knowledge that I am leaving the company much healthier and stronger than when I joined.”
“With the company set for success, I hand the baton off to Frank, a proven leader in the cruise industry,” Sheehan added.
Frank Del Rio is a co-founder of Oceania Cruises, has led its holding company Prestige Int’l since Apr 2007 and played a critical role in the NCL takeover.
He added he was excited at the new chapter in his multi-decade career in the cruise industry.
“I am blessed with a great team at Norwegian, and I am confident that together we can help our company continue to realise great things.”