Windstar Cruises Names Bava As CCO
Windstar Cruises has named Janet Bava as its new Chief Commercial Officer as of July 24, 2023.
Betsy O’Rourke, the CCO for Windstar since 2020 and the CCO of Windstar’s parent company Xanterra Travel Collection since 2012, will move to a consultancy role with Xanterra and its ownership, The Anschutz Corporation, as well as engage in outside Board opportunities.
Christopher Prelog, who is celebrating three years as President of Windstar in September after a long-standing career in ship operations, said: “This is a very comforting and energizing evolution for all of us at Windstar Cruises. We couldn’t be happier for Betsy and her success, and to still have access to her wisdom and counsel, while at the same time enthusiastically welcoming cruise industry veteran Janet Bava onboard, who previously worked with Betsy at Royal Caribbean.”
Bava will be responsible for driving strategic growth initiatives, leading marketing, sales, reservations, and deployment teams to further elevate the company’s position in the global market.
Prior to this, Bava was the Chief Marketing Officer at AmaWaterways in California. She was also Vice President, Marketing (Americas) from 2016 to 2018 with Silversea Cruises Ltd. in Miami. From 2014 to 2016 she was the Director CRM & Customer Engagement at NBCUniversal, Inc – Universal Parks & Resort in Orlando expanding their capabilities and teams supporting digital customer relationship management initiatives.
O’Rourke had been the Chief Commercial Officer across all brands for Xanterra Travel Collection, Windstar’s parent company, since 2012 and picked up oversight of the commercial functions of Windstar in early 2020.
O’Rourke led a reimagined marketing, sales, revenue management, and reservations team while navigating the global pandemic and relaunching half the fleet following the $250 million stretching and rebuild of the Star Class yachts.
Before Xanterra, O’Rourke was SVP of Marketing at Royal Caribbean International where she promoted Bava, who was part of her team, to Manager, Direct Marketing & Customer Experience Communications. O’Rourke’s career also included leading marketing and communications teams at Wyndham Worldwide, Choice Hotels and the US Travel Association.
Sail on over to www.windstarcruises.com for more.
In the photo
Winstar Cruises new Chief Commercial Officer, Janet Bava (l) and its new Advisor for Xanterra Travel Collection, Betsy O’Rourke.
