Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings chief executive Frank Del Rio is welcoming his namesake back to a company-owned brand that he co-founded 20 years ago.
His 45-year-old son, Frank Del Rio Jr, has rejoined Oceania Cruises as chief sales & marketing officer.
Frank Jr first joined Oceania in 2003 after his father co-founded the company with Bob Binder in 2002. Today, the firm owns six ships.
The son rose through the ranks at Oceania to become vice-president of port & destination services and onboard revenue for Norwegian before leaving in 2017 to work in the private-equity and technology sectors.
In his new role, he will be responsible for global sales and marketing activities at the company’s offices in Miami, Southampton, Sydney and Sao Paulo.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to a brand that I am so truly passionate about and is embedded in my DNA,” he said.
“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.”
Frank Del Rio Jr is well acquainted with the line’s travel partners and the industry’s retail partners such as Go Next, Food & Wine Trails and Virtuoso Travel Network, said Oceania chief executive Howard Sherman.
“His passion, enthusiasm, and day-one familiarity with the brand, our guests and our travel partners will take us from strength to strength.”
Frank Sr served as chief executive of Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Sea Cruises that Norwegian acquired in 2014 for $3bn.
He became chief executive of Norwegian in 2015.
