Azamara Cruises CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler has been named a recipient of the 2026 CLIA Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising four decades of leadership across the cruise and aviation industries.
Ms Ritzenthaler said the recognition reflected the passion and dedication of her entire team.
“Travel has always been a deeply personal passion of mine. That belief in the power of travel is what continues to inspire everything we do at Azamara, as well as our commitment to working closely with travel advisors, who are essential in bringing these experiences to life for our guests,” Ms Ritzenthaler said.
A 40-year veteran of the travel industry, Ms Ritzenthaler has held leadership roles at American Airlines and spent more than two decades at Celebrity Cruises before taking the helm at Azamara, where she contributed to the line’s original launch.
She is widely recognised for championing the travel advisor community and driving guest-centric innovation in cruise distribution and experience design.
The recognition comes as Azamara builds momentum behind its Azamara Forward initiative, a strategic vision designed to elevate the guest experience, expand destination offerings and strengthen the line’s leadership in immersive small-ship cruising.
The CLIA Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to two individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to the cruise industry.
