#278: Exploring the World of Boutique Cruises | with Azamara Cruises CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler

About this episode

Dondra Ritzenthaler shares her inspiring journey from flight attendant to CEO of Azamara Cruises, discussing leadership lessons and the future of boutique cruising.

How does someone go from taking their very first flight after college to becoming the CEO of a world-renowned cruise brand? In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises and recent recipient of the prestigious 2026 CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award. From growing up in a small Texas town to becoming one of the most influential leaders in the cruise industry, Dondra shares her inspiring journey, leadership lessons, and passion for hospitality. The conversation starts with a fun lightning round where Dondra reveals her love for football, scuba diving, and even a bucket-list dream of swimming with sharks in Australia. Then, the discussion dives deeper into her career path—from becoming a flight attendant after her very first plane ride to rising through sales and marketing leadership roles before ultimately leading Azamara Cruises. Dondra shares insights into the power of teamwork, why travel advisors are vital to the cruise experience, and what drew her out of retirement to take the helm at Azamara. She also explains how Azamara’s boutique-style cruise experience differs from mega ships, offering destination…

People in this episode

Hosts: David Millili, Steve Carran

Guest: Dondra Ritzenthaler

Topics covered

• boutique cruises
• leadership
• travel trends
• hospitality
• women in leadership

Keywords

• cruise industry
• teamwork
• travel advisors
• destination immersion
• cultural experiences

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Azamara Cruises, CLIA

Places: Texas, Australia

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