Celebrity Cruises announced on 19DEC that industry veteran Katina Athanasiou, currently with Silversea, also part of Royal Caribbean Group, will join the brand as Vice President of Sales, the Americas. At the same time, Silversea announced new moves for its trade sales team.
Celebrity Cruises
In her new role effective 03JAN 2023, Athanasiou will be responsible for driving the sales strategy across trade booking channels in the Americas, including Field Sales, National Accounts, Inside Sales, LATAM Sales, Sales Communication, Training & Development, and Sales Support.
She will report to Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales, The Americas.
Athanasiou brings more than 20 years of experience in the industry to the Celebrity Cruises sales organization, including in her most recent role as Senior Vice President, Sales at Silversea Cruises. Prior to that, she served as Chief Sales Officer for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, among a variety of other sales management roles for the line’s brands.
“Katina has a proven track record in the travel and hospitality industry, and she really understands how to drive business in the Americas,” said Ritzenthaler. “Her experience and knowledge will be an invaluable asset as our fleet grows and offers a variety of options to sail to every continent.”
“I’m incredibly honored and proud to now work with Dondra, the team and our partners,” said Athanasiou.
As reported by Seatrade Cruise News, Athanasiou fills a role previously held by Keith Lane, who moved to SVP hotel operations at Celebrity in JUN.
Silversea Cruises
Following Athanasiou's move to Celebrity Cruises, Silversea announced Joe Leon will now lead that cruise line's trade sales. Leon first joined Silversea as VP field sales, North America in 2016 and will now oversee national accounts, field sales and expedition sales.
According to Seatrade Cruise News, Leon's reports include Christian Sierralta, who will continue to lead national accounts as VP; Rachel Woodward, who was recently promoted to senior director of field sales and continues to oversee 10 area sales directors; and Karl Kannstadter, senior director of expedition sales, who added global responsibility in OCT.
Silversea's inside sales team, led by Marcus Kenny, the director of business development and agency sales for the Americas, will continue to report directly to Leon.
Mark Conroy, managing director, the Americas, congratulated Athanasiou on her new role at sister cruise line Celebrity, and thanked her for her leadership.
