Oceania Cruises has announced an executive leadership transition. Frank A. Del Rio, currently Chief Sales and Marketing Officer has been named President while Howard Sherman will continue as special advisor to the company.
Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, announced the appointment of Frank A. Del Rio, current Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, as President of Oceania Cruises effective January 1, 2023, as part of its robust succession plan. Howard Sherman, current President and CEO, will remain with the cruise line’s parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. as a special advisor, ensuring a smooth transition.
Sherman is a long-standing company and cruise industry veteran who has served as President and CEO of Oceania Cruises since January 2022. During his tenure he led the post-pandemic resumption of cruise operations for the brand as well as oversaw the preparations for the introduction of Vista, the line’s first newbuild in nearly a decade.
“It has been my privilege to lead the world’s leading culinary- and destination focused cruise line and to work alongside the incredibly talented and passionate team at Oceania Cruises,” said Howard Sherman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oceania Cruises. “I have worked closely with Frank over the past year and I am confident he is the ideal person to lead this storied brand in this next chapter.”
“I am incredibly excited to take the helm at Oceania Cruises, which is not only a world class organization in every aspect but is even more special to me as part of the founding team twenty years ago,” said Frank A. Del Rio. “I look forward to working closely with our partners worldwide to build on our incredibly strong position as we continue to evolve and innovate to deliver a best-in-class product for our loyal guests.”
Del Rio, son of Frank J. Del Rio President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., is an industry veteran, having started his career in the cruise industry in 2003 as one of the first employees at Oceania Cruises. In his current role as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer he leads all sales and marketing activities across the globe with teams based in the brand’s offices in Miami, Southampton, Sydney, and Sao Paulo. Del Rio rejoined the company in early 2022, marking a continuation of his 14-year tenure, which ran from 2003 through 2017. During his time at Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and ultimately at 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.