Celebrity sales lead Ritzenthaler latest exec to depart line

In a letter to the company’s trade partners, Dondra Ritzenthaler confirmed she will retire from her role next month. 

It comes weeks after the company’s chief executive Lisa Lutoff-Perlo announced she would be standing down as the line’s president and transition into a new role within parent Royal Caribbean Group.

Prior to that, Jo Rzymowska confirmed in December 2022 she would be leaving her role as Celebrity’s vice-president and managing director EMEA this summer after nearly two decades working in the cruise sector.

"After an amazing 20-year career with Celebrity Cruises, I’m writing to share my decision to retire next month. The time is simply right for me to start the next phase of my life and recharge my batteries," Ritzenthaler said.

"I want you to know that working with all of [the line’s trade partners] has absolutely been my great honour and the ride of a lifetime. We truly have done so much together and I couldn’t be prouder of all we have accomplished."

Ritzenthaler – who joined the brand in 2003 as the line’s first-ever vice-president of sales – said Celebrity’s sales and services team in the Americas will now report directly to its new brand president Laura Hodges Bethge for an interim period.