Frank Del Rio to step down as head of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings president and chief executive Frank Del Rio is to step down on June 30 after 30 years in the cruise industry.

Del Rio will be succeeded by Harry Sommer, currently president and chief executive of the NCL Holdings’ Norwegian Cruise Line, who in turn will be succeeded by David Herrera.

NCL Holdings announced the end of Del Rio’s tenure and its succession plan today. Del Rio will remain as a senior advisor to the group’s board through to 2025.

Sommer, who has headed Norwegian Cruise Line since 2020, will join the company’s board of directors, from July 1.

Herrera, who has been chief consumer sales and marketing officer of Norwegian Cruise Line since 2021, will succeed Sommer as the line’s president from April 1.

Del Rio has led the company since 2015 and steered it through the Covid-19 pandemic and return of operations.

Prior to that he led Prestige Cruise International and its predecessor which operated Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises from 2002 until their acquisition by Norwegian. Del Rio had founded Oceania Cruises in 2002.

Sommer has spent more than 30 years in the cruise industry working in sales, marketing, revenue management, passenger services, itinerary development and international business development and operations.

In addition to running Norwegian Cruise Line, Sommer had in recent months taken oversight of revenue generation at Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and onboard revenue across the brands.

NCL Holdings chairman Russell Galbut paid tribute to Del Rio for his “invaluable contributions to this company and the cruise industry throughout the last 30 years”, saying: “He has delivered superior financial results, expanded our fleet with luxurious and innovative ships, strengthened our global footprint and delivered unparalleled experiences for our guests.

“His passion and dedication will have a lasting impact on our business and the industry at large.”

Galbut said the change at the top was the “culmination of a thoughtful succession planning process”, describing Sommer as a “highly experienced leader and operator” who had worked alongside Del Rio for many years.

Del Rio said: “Leading Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career.

“My heartfelt gratitude goes to our 39,000 team members. With the company solidly positioned for 2023 and beyond, I am confident now is the right time to pass the baton to Harry [Sommer].

“Having worked closely with Harry for decades, I know first-hand that his talent and skills are ideally suited to take this company into its next era.

“I am delighted to continue to serve as a senior advisor to the board after the transition.”

Sommer said: “I am humbled to succeed Frank [and] I look forward to the bright future ahead, including the transformational growth we have in the pipeline.”

He added, “I’m particularly happy that David [Herrera] will be leading Norwegian Cruise Line as he has been a key contributor to NCL’s success in recent years.”