Frank Del Rio Jr, the son of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings President and CEO sharing the same name, has been appointed Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Oceania Cruises.
The role will see Del Rio Jr take responsibility for all sales and marketing activities for the cruise brand around the globe, and lead the teams based in the Oceania Cruises’ offices in Miami, Sydney, Southampton and Sao Paulo. Among his direct reports will be Steve Odell, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, APAC.
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Del Rio Jr is returning to the company after a five-year hiatus. He’d previously amassed a 14-year tenure with NCLH, which ran from 2003 through 2017.
During his time at Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Del Rio rose to the rank of Senior Vice President and led all aspects of Port and Destination Services along with Onboard Revenue. He spearheaded innovation and product development, achieved significant financial efficiencies and organisational synergies, and drove record-breaking and industry-leading results in the form of revenue increases.
“I’m delighted to add Frank and his many talents to the already stellar team at Oceania Cruises. His passion, enthusiasm, and day-one familiarity with the brand, our guests, and our travel partners will take us from strength to strength,” stated Howard Sherman, President & CEO of Oceania Cruises.
NCLH said Del Rio is well acquainted with the line’s travel partners and the retail distribution network that drives the industry. Over the course of his career, he has worked closely with many of the top travel companies such as Go Next, Food & Wine Trails, and Virtuoso Travel Network to develop new and unique destination programs for their clientele.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to a brand that I am so truly passionate about and is embedded in my DNA,” said Frank Del Rio Jr.
“I’m also eager to reconnect with the best sales and marketing team in the industry.”
“Oceania’s successes are often imitated but never replicated and I look forward to many more of these great successes as we evolve and grow the acclaimed Oceania Cruises brand,” he added.
Most recently, Del Rio has been involved in the private equity, finance, and tech spaces.