Azamara has named Alex Pinelo Chief Sales Officer for North America. In the role, he will oversee the cruise line’s sales strategy, trade partnerships and commercial growth across the region as Azamara continues to expand its support for the travel advisor community and strengthen its presence in the North American market.
Pinelo brings more than 40 years of experience in the cruise industry. Most recently, he served as Chief Sales Officer at AmaWaterways, where he led the company’s global sales strategy, strengthened travel partner engagement and drove commercial performance across key markets. During his tenure, Pinelo held several senior leadership positions, including Director of Latin America Sales, Director of National Accounts, VP of National Accounts, VP of Sales and Senior VP of Sales, before being appointed Chief Sales Officer in 2025.
Prior to joining AmaWaterways in 2017, Pinelo spent nearly three decades with Norwegian Cruise Line, advancing through a variety of operational and sales leadership roles before serving as VP of Key Accounts. He was also a member of the launch team for Disney Cruise Line, helping introduce the brand in South Florida and Puerto Rico.
“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,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises, in a media statement. “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. 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. I’m excited for what’s ahead as we continue expanding our reach, strengthening our advisor relationships and introducing more travelers to the immersive experiences that define Azamara.”
“Throughout my career,” added Pinelo, “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. 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.”
