Alex Pinelo Named Chief Sales Officer for Azamara North America
Azamara Cruises just made a big move in its leadership team. The luxury cruise line has named Alex Pinelo as its new Chief Sales Officer (CSO) for North America.
Alex Pinelo Joins Azamara Cruises as Chief Sales Officer
Pinelo officially stepped into the role on September 1. He will work out of Miami and lead Azamara’s entire North American sales operation. His focus will be on sales strategy, trade partnerships, and growing the brand across the region.
This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated.
Azamara says this hire shows how serious it is about building a stronger presence in North America. For cruise travelers, that could mean more attention to the North American market and better support through travel advisors.
A Career Built on Cruise Industry Experience
Pinelo brings over 40 years of cruise industry experience to the table. That’s a lot of time learning the business from the inside out.
Most recently, he served as CSO at AmaWaterways starting in 2025. Before that, he spent years at AmaWaterways in roles ranging from Director of Latin America Sales all the way up to Senior Vice President of Sales.
Earlier in his career, he spent nearly 30 years at Norwegian Cruise Line. He worked his way up through operations and sales before becoming Vice President of Key Accounts. He also helped launch Disney Cruise Line in South Florida and Puerto Rico.
What Pinelo Says About His New Role
Pinelo is clearly passionate about the people who sell cruises. “Throughout my career, I’ve believed that travel advisors are at the heart of our industry’s success, and I look forward to building on Azamara’s strong relationships with its valued partners across North America,” he said.
He also shared his vision for growth. “Together with our talented sales team, we’ll continue creating new opportunities for growth while inspiring more travelers to discover the destination-focused experiences that make Azamara so distinctive.”
What Azamara’s CEO Had to Say
Azamara CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler is clearly excited about the hire. She had high praise for Pinelo’s background and his deep ties to the travel advisor community.
“Alex is an exceptional addition to our executive leadership team and exactly the kind of leader we need as we continue to grow our presence in North America,” she said. “Travel advisors are at the heart of Azamara’s business, and we remain deeply committed to investing in the relationships, tools and support that help them succeed.”
Ritzenthaler also pointed to his track record of building strong partnerships. “With his passion for the cruise industry, deep understanding of the travel advisor community and proven ability to build lasting partnerships, Alex is the ideal person to lead that commitment forward.”
What This Means for Azamara Travelers
Azamara is known for its destination-focused voyages and immersive travel experiences. This hire suggests the line wants to reach more North American travelers and deepen its connections with the advisors who help plan those trips. It’s a sign that Azamara is investing in its future growth — and that could be good news for fans of boutique luxury cruising.
