Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has announced sweeping changes in its senior leadership, with new presidents announced for the Oceania and Regent brands as well as the appointment of new senior executives in the APAC. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has named Frank A. Del Rio the next president of Oceania Cruises, effective 1 January. He is the son of NCLH's CEO, Frank Del Rio. 

NCLH also named Regent Seven Seas Cruises chief marketing officer Andrea DeMarco as the luxury line's next president beginning 1 January.

Frank A. Del Rio will succeed current president Howard Sherman to lead Oceania, a cruise line the elder Del Rio founded 20 years ago. 

The younger Del Rio, who in past brand communications was referred to as Frank Del Rio Jr., has served as Oceania's chief marketing officer since March and had previously been its senior vice president of port destinations and onboard revenue.

"Oceania has been our family's baby from the very beginning. I don't take this lightly," the younger Del Rio said. "This is a big deal to me to be leading the great family of people that make up Oceania, both in our corporate offices and then also onboard our ships." 

DeMarco will be the first female president at Regent and succeeds current president Jason Montague. 

"What I can't wait to do is to build on the incredible successes the team has developed over the past 30 years," DeMarco said. 

Both Sherman, who stepped in as Oceania president last January, and Montague, president since 2015, will serve as special advisors to the company through 2024. The elder Del Rio said he was grateful to both of them for their past and future contributions to the company.

This isn't the first time NCLH has seen the departure of two high-level executives from the two brands at once. In July 2021, a pair of EVPs of sales and marketing, Randall Soy at Regent and James Rodriguez at Oceania, left the company. 

Whereas that departure was during the thick of the pandemic as cruise lines were preparing to restart operations, this latest transition happens as NCLH prepares for a shift back to normalcy with Covid restrictions lifted in most destinations. 

"I have no doubt that they are prepared to take the helm and build on our significant momentum at this critical time as we complete our transition to steady-state operations and prepare to deliver on our industry-leading growth profile," said the elder Del Rio. 

Leadership shuffle in APAC

Passing the APAC leadership baton from Steve Odell to Lisa Pile (VP sales and GM Asia Pacific for Regent Seven Seas Cruises) and Jason Worth (VP sales and GM Asia Pacific for Oceania Cruises).

In Asia Pacific, NCLH has also announced changes to steer the company heading into 2023 and beyond.

Well-known and respected industry veteran Steve Odell, who joined NCLH in October 2015 to spearhead the launch of the company’s APAC business across its three brands, will step down from the role of senior vice president and managing director of the Asia Pacific region for Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises after a seven-year tenure.

“We are grateful to Steve for his strategic vision and significant contributions to the company which have positioned us as leaders in the fast-growing Asia Pacific region,” said the elder Del Rio.

Caroline Smith, who has been appointed managing director, international for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will oversee sales and marketing for APAC, EMEA, LATAM and Brazil.

Lisa Pile, current vice president of sales, Australia and New Zealand for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will expand her responsibilities to include the entire Asia Pacific region as vice president sales and general manager APAC for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, reporting to Smith.

Jason Worth, current vice president of sales, Australia and New Zealand for Oceania Cruises, will expand his responsibilities to the entire Asia Pacific region as vice president sales and general manager APAC for Oceania Cruises, reporting to Nikki Upshaw, senior vice president, sales for Oceania Cruises.

Meanwhile, Ben Angell, vice president and managing irector APAC for Norwegian Cruise Line, will continue to represent the brand in the Asia Pacific region, reporting to Jason Krimmel, vice president, international sales and marketing for Norwegian Cruise Line.

These transitions reflect the "robust succession planning and the strength and talent of our broader team" to help the company grow and evolve its presence in the important APAC, the elder Del Rio remarked.

The lines each plan to release a new ship in 2023. The Oceania Vista is scheduled to debut on 20 May, and Regent plans to introduce the Seven Seas Grandeur in November.