Dondra Ritzenthaler joined top-rated premium cruise line Celebrity
Cruises in September 2003, as the line's first vice president of sales dedicated solely to the Celebrity brand. In 2006,
she was promoted to senior vice president of sales for the line. In 2007, Celebrity Cruises introduced Azamara Cruises, and
Dondra gained an additional role as senior vice president of sales for the new, deluxe line.
Dondra's 117 member
organization today includes a total of 64 regional and district sales managers, 14 inside sales representatives and 14 national
and corporate account managers in the field, as well as a supporting staff at corporate headquarters. All members of the sales
organization represent both Celebrity and Azamara.
In addition, Dondra heads up key account relationships, onboard
cruise sales and internal sales support. She also leads the sales organization in Canada for Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises
and Royal Caribbean International.
Widely credited for raising awareness of the importance of travel agents,
Dondra also has spearheaded a number of innovative policies, the ASAP program, the widely praised no-rebating stance, a well-received
group policy, and distinctive procedures designed to better serve travel partners, including a major initiative known as the
Triple Star program, supported by the sales strategy and communications team.
A seasoned travel industry executive, Dondra came to Celebrity following nearly two decades in the business,
primarily in sales and marketing management with American Airlines. Just prior to joining Celebrity, she was regional sales
director of passenger sales for the airline's midwest region.
Dondra, her husband and their two children reside
in Coconut Grove, Florida.
