MSC Cruises has appointed Rubén Rodríguez chief executive of its North American operations.
Under the strategic guidance of Gianni Onorato, Global CEO of MSC Cruises, and Anna Nash, Global President of Explora Journeys, Mr Rodríguez will work with each brand’s respective leaders – Lynn Torrent as President, MSC Cruises North America and Chris Austin, President Explora Journeys, North & Central America.
The new leadership structure in North America will support the company’s continued growth in one of its most important markets. This new role and structure enable both brands to continue their own unique expansion while generating enhanced synergies and collaboration under the leadership of Mr Rodríguez.
Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, Cruise Division of MSC Group, said: “In his role as President of MSC Cruises USA, Ruben achieved significant business results and laid the groundwork for growth and as such he was the natural choice to take on this newly created role. We are building a new organization that will better service the needs of our trade partners and consumers, maximize the performance of the two brands with their distinct offerings and strengthen our presence in North America.”
This is a pivotal year for MSC Cruises in North America as the brand’s new flagship MSC World America will launch from the Cruise Division’s new terminal at Port Miami on April 9, which is the largest cruise terminal in the world. The new ship will be deployed in the region offering Caribbean cruises all of which will call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve—the Company’s private island destination in The Bahamas. Later in the year, the line will begin offering cruises from Galveston, Texas for the first time, followed by the addition of cruises to Alaska in the summer of 2026.
