Azamara Cruises has appointed Alex Pinelo as its chief sales officer (CSO), North America, effective September 1.
In this role, he will lead the company’s sales organization across North America out of Miami, overseeing sales strategy, trade partnerships and commercial growth throughout the region.
The company said in a statement that the appointment reflects its commitment to strengthening its presence across the North American market.
“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,” said Pinelo.
“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.”
Pinelo brings more than 40 years of experience in the cruise industry, most recently serving as CSO at AmaWaterways, a role he assumed in 2025.
Joining the company in 2017, he held several roles before being appointed CSO, such as director of Latin America sales, director of national accounts, vice president of national accounts, vice president of sales and senior vice president of sales.
Before that, he spent nearly three decades with Norwegian Cruise Line, advancing through operational and sales leadership roles before serving as vice president of key accounts.
He also helped launch Disney Cruise Line 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. 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,” added Dondra Ritzenthaler, chief executive officer of Azamara Cruises.
“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.”
