Azamara Cruises Names Lisa Kauffman Chief Marketing Officer

Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 12:05 PM ET, Mon August 11, 2025

Lisa Kauffman, Chief Marketing Officer, Azamara Cruises

Lisa Kauffman, Chief Marketing Officer, Azamara Cruises. (Photo Credit: Azamara Cruises)

WHY IT RATES: The industry veteran's appointment promises to propel the immersive cruise brand in the second half of the decade.—Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Editor


Azamara Cruises, the small-ship cruise line renowned for its Destination Immersion experiences and Extended Destination Days, has announced the appointment of Lisa Kauffman as Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, Lisa will oversee marketing and communications, including e-commerce, product, trade, brand, social engagement, media, public relations, guest loyalty and internal communications.

Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises, comments: “We are delighted to welcome Lisa Kauffman to the Azamara family. Lisa’s extensive expertise in strategic marketing and travel perfectly complements our mission to create immersive, culturally rich experiences that forge deeper, more meaningful connections between our guests and the destinations we visit. Her passion for storytelling, guest-centric thinking, and brand building will be instrumental in further strengthening Azamara’s position as the leader in Destination Immersion® and intimate, small-ship cruising.”

Lisa Kauffman adds: “I’m honored to join Azamara, a company I’ve long admired for its commitment to immersive travel and unforgettable guest experiences. This is an exciting time for the company, and I look forward to working with the talented team to elevate our brand, deepen our connection with guests, and inspire even more travelers to explore the world with Azamara.”

Lisa most recently served as Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Starboard Group, the global leader in vacation retail, where she led global B2B as well as B2C marketing strategies, digital innovation, integrated communications, and Retailtainment.

Prior to her tenure at Starboard, Lisa held executive marketing roles at Perry Ellis International, Celebrity Cruises, Macy’s Florida, and The Walt Disney Company. Across these organizations, she has consistently demonstrated a passion for building high-performing teams and delivering strong business results in the retail, fashion, consumer products, and cruise sectors.

A Miami native, Lisa is also deeply committed to her community. She currently serves on the board of Goodwill Industries of South Florida and dedicates time to mentoring emerging women leaders in business.


SOURCE: Azamara Cruises press release.


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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