Windstar Cruises has announced a significant change in its senior leadership team with Janet Bava taking the helm as the new Chief Commercial Officer, effective from 24 July.
- Betsy O’Rourke, the former CCO, will transition to a consultancy role, providing her insights and expertise to the company’s parent, The Anschutz Corporation.
- Janet Bava, having served in pivotal roles at AmaWaterways and Silversea Cruises, is set to drive Windstar’s strategic growth and marketing initiatives.
- The cruise industry veteran emphasised her commitment to enhancing the small ship, luxury cruising experience under the leadership of Christopher Prelog.
- Augustus Lonsdale has joined Windstar’s UK team as head of sales, marking another step in the company’s strategic personnel expansion.
Windstar Cruises has made a strategic shift by appointing Janet Bava as the new Chief Commercial Officer, effective from 24 July. This appointment marks a pivotal change in the company’s leadership landscape.
Betsy O’Rourke, who has been serving as the CCO for Windstar since 2020, and for Xanterra Travel Collection, its parent company, since 2012, will transition into a consultancy role. This move allows Windstar to continue benefiting from O’Rourke’s extensive expertise while making way for new growth strategies under Bava’s leadership.
Janet Bava brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, notably as the Chief Marketing Officer at AmaWaterways and a Vice-President of Marketing at Silversea Cruises. In her new role at Windstar, Bava will spearhead strategic growth initiatives and lead the marketing, sales, reservations, and deployment teams.
Windstar president, Christopher Prelog, expressed his enthusiasm for this leadership transition, highlighting Bava’s previous collaboration with O’Rourke at Royal Caribbean. He remarked on the evolution as energising for the company, celebrating both the successes of O’Rourke and the exciting prospects with Bava’s appointment.
In response, Bava articulated her passion for returning to the small ship, luxury cruising sector, a market that has seen significant growth over recent years. She aims to build upon the foundation laid by O’Rourke and enhance the brand’s offerings under Prelog’s guidance.
The recent appointment of Augustus Lonsdale as head of sales in the UK team further underscores Windstar’s commitment to expanding its strategic leadership and market reach. This addition to the team is indicative of the company’s proactive approach to strengthening its foothold in the cruise industry.
Windstar Cruises is actively strengthening its leadership to drive innovation and growth in the luxury cruise sector.
