Oceania Cruises president steps down amid major changes
Significant leadership shifts are happening at Norwegian’s luxury cruise line brands.
In a major cruise industry leadership change, Oceania Cruises’ president is stepping down, effective immediately, following the introduction of a new leadership structure at parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH).
Now, for the first time since the luxury small-ship cruise line was founded in 2003, no Del Rio family member is involved with the brand.
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Oceania Cruises was co-founded by Frank J. Del Rio, a cruise industry leader who retired from his position as NCLH’s CEO in 2023. His son, Frank A. Del Rio, who started his career in the cruise industry working with his father as one of the first employees at Oceania, took the helm of the cruise line shortly before his retirement.
Now, Frank A. Del Rio is departing from the brand, too.
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Frank A. Del Rio leaves Oceania following former leader’s return
Just a day after former Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania leader Jason Montague returned to a leadership position overseeing NCLH’s luxury brands on Feb. 17, the company announced that Oceania President Frank A. Del Rio is stepping down from his position. Del Rio had been expected to report to Montague as he took on his new role.
Montague spoke about Del Rio's departure and his impact on the cruise line in a statement to travel partners that was shared by Seatrade Cruise News.
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“Both Frank and his father, our company’s founder, have left an enduring legacy on Oceania Cruises and the broader industry,” Montague said. “I want to personally thank Frank for his outstanding stewardship of the brand, positioning it for an incredibly bright future, and for assembling an exceptional leadership team. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
The company previously announced that Regent Seven Seas Cruises President Andrea DeMarco is also departing. After providing transition support, DeMarco is leaving March 4 after more than a decade with the company.
Montague will lead NCLH’s upscale fleet expansion
Montague, who was appointed to the newly-created role of Chief Luxury Officer at NCLH, will take over daily operations at Oceania as Del Rio departs.
Like Del Rio, Montague has a long history with Oceania dating back to its founding. He previously served as president for both the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. Most recently, he served as a special advisor to NCLH for two years after leading Regent until 2022.
In his new role, Montague will lead NCLH’s multi-billion dollar fleet expansion for its ultra-premium and luxury cruise brands. The program includes adding five new ships to its upscale brands’ fleets and plans to refurbish nearly all their existing vessels.
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Oceania Cruises expects three new builds through 2029, starting with Allura, which launches in July 2025. Additionally, the brands’ ships Marina and Riviera will be refurbished in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will add two new vessels through 2029, in addition to planned enhancements to Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
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