Azamara, the boutique cruise line renowned for its Destination Immersion® experiences, appointed Dondra Ritzenthaler as Chief Executive Officer in May 2024. With nearly four decades in the travel industry, including a significant tenure as Senior Vice President of Sales for the Americas at Celebrity Cruises, Ritzenthaler brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. 
Under her leadership, Azamara is poised for growth, with plans to expand its fleet beyond the current four ships. Ritzenthaler has expressed a strong commitment to this expansion, aiming to enhance the line’s capacity to explore new destinations while maintaining the intimate, small-ship experience that defines Azamara.
In addition to fleet growth, Ritzenthaler is dedicated to strengthening relationships with travel advisors, who account for a significant portion of Azamara’s sales. She has initiated several programs to support trade partners, including the establishment of a UK call center, a trade loyalty program, and an extensive ship visit schedule in the UK.
Azamara continues to focus on delivering immersive destination experiences, offering Extended Destination Days and unique shore excursions to provide guests with deeper connections to the cultures and locales they visit. The line’s upcoming itineraries feature new ports of call and extended voyages, reflecting its commitment to offering diverse and enriching travel experiences.
As Azamara charts its course under Ritzenthaler’s leadership, the emphasis remains on growth, enhanced partnerships, and delivering unparalleled destination-focused cruises.
Leave a Reply