Changing of the guard at Oceania Cruises as Binder stands down

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Oceania Cruises’ Co-Founder and current President and CEO, Bob Binder, will stand down from the role effective 1 January 2022. Binder will be succeeded by Howard Sherman, current Executive VP, Onboard Revenue and Destination Services for Oceania Cruises’ parent firm, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. The transition was revealed overnight by NCLH as part of “key organisational changes at the executive level”.

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Binder, who has been with the cruise line since 2002, will remain with NCLH as Vice Chairman, reporting to Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of the company. NCLH also promoted Ross Henderson as Sherman’s successor. In a statement, NCLH said Binder played a “vital role” in the development and growth of the brand since its inception. “During his tenure he has overseen virtually every facet of the brand’s global operations including Marketing, Sales, Public Relations, e-Commerce, Brand Finance, and Guest Services. Binder led the growth of the brand with the design and development of the line’s acclaimed Marina and Riviera and spearheaded the industry leading “OceaniaNEXT” brand evolution initiative,” NCLH said. He took over as President and CEO of Oceania Cruises in September 2016, and was Vice Chairman of Oceania Cruise and Regent Seven Seas Cruises since May 2015. “Since co-founding Oceania Cruises in 2002, it has been my extraordinary privilege to witness its evolution into the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line,” Binder said. “I am honoured to have had the opportunity to lead the brand’s world class team whose talent, dedication, and passion are unmatched, to deliver exceptional vacation experiences for our guests. I look forward to continuing to champion the line’s future success as I remain with the Company in my new role.”

Del Rio commented: “Bob has played a critical role in all of Oceania Cruises’ tremendous achievements over the past two decades. We are extremely grateful for the unwavering leadership and entrepreneurial spirit he has brought to our company over his tenure. I look forward to continuing to partner closely with Bob as he remains Vice Chairman of the Company.”

Howard Sherman tapped

Del Rio continued, “Our management team and Board of Directors are confident that Howard is the right person to succeed Bob as President and Chief Executive Officer of Oceania Cruises. Howard is a long-standing company and cruise industry veteran who will bring extensive experience, innovative leadership and a fresh perspective to continue to elevate the Oceania Cruises brand, particularly as the line embarks on its next chapter with the upcoming introduction of the next generation Allura Class ships beginning with Vista in April 2023.”

Sherman said he was “incredibly honoured” to be promoted. “I look forward to building upon the strong foundation the top-notch team at Oceania Cruises has created and contributing to the line’s continued growth and success.” Sherman has served as EVP, Onboard Revenue and Destination Services of NCLH since September 2016 and as EVP, Revenue Management from February 2015 until September 2016. In his current role, Sherman oversees a diverse portfolio of departments including Air and Sea, Casino Operations, Onboard Revenue, Destination Services, Commercial Development, Government Relations, Itinerary Planning and Land-Based Construction Projects. Prior to the Company’s acquisition of Prestige, Sherman held various roles at Prestige from 2003 to 2014 including Executive Vice President, Revenue Management and Chief Revenue Officer, Senior Vice President, Revenue Management and Vice President of Yield and Inventory Management. Henderson currently serves as SVP, Onboard Revenue for NCLH. In this role, he is responsible for driving revenue across a wide variety of onboard products and services on all three of the Company’s brands. Prior to joining Norwegian in 2009 as Vice President, Onboard Revenue, Henderson spent six years managing key onboard revenue departments and analytics for Princess Cruises. Del Rio continued, “The promotions of Howard and Ross are a testament to our ability to leverage the considerable bench strength across our organization. Both are strategic thinkers with deep knowledge of our company and industry and proven track records of leadership which will be invaluable as we continually strive to take our company to new heights.”

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