Celebrity Cruises Executive Dondra Ritzenthaler to Retire

by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 9:55 PM ET, Sat April 22, 2023

After more than four decades in the travel business, including in the air and on the sea, Dondra Ritzenthaler is retiring.

Ritzenthaler, who had a 20-year career as a sales and marketing executive with Celebrity Cruises on top of 20 years with American Airlines, has decided to step down.

"The time is simply right for me to start the next phase of my life and recharge my batteries," she said in an email to travel partners.

Her departure comes at a time of upheaval for Celebrity as CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo is moving up to a bigger position with the Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises.

Ritzenthaler definitely made her mark in the cruising world, both in her job and as a speaker and panelist. 

"I want you to know that working with all of you has absolutely been my great honor and the ride of a lifetime," she wrote. "We truly have done so much together and I couldn’t be prouder of all we have accomplished."

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