RCL Cruises has named Susan Bonner as their new vice president and managing director for Australia and New Zealand.
Coming from Royal Carribean’s Miami office, where she served as Vice President of Celebrity Cruises’ Revenue Management and Onboard Revenue, Bonner was integral in launching the line’s luxury Solstice Class ships.
Prior to that, she led the Revenue Management and Onboard Revenue performance of Royal Caribbean International during the line’s historic introduction of the Quantum Class megaships.
Bonner is taking over from Adam Armstrong, who announced earlier this month he would be taking the reigns at Silversea Cruises as Managing Director Australia & New Zealand later this year.
“With the highest market penetration for cruising of any country, I’m looking forward to continuing the incredible momentum our brands are experiencing in this region,” said Bonner.
“Our trade partners continue to be an absolutely integral part of our business strategy; I can’t wait to get to know them and to build on the groundbreaking innovation we’re renowned for bringing to the industry.”
Bonner is now responsible for the business operations of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises in the region, reporting to Gavin Smith, Senior Vice President International.
A passionate advocate of gender equality, women in leadership and workplace diversity, Bonner is part of an empowering female line-up at RCL which includes the first female CEO of a publicly traded cruise company, Celebrity Cruises’ Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, and an Australian office in which two-thirds of the management team are women.
Bonner pursued her higher education by studying marketing at the prestigious Tulane University in New Orleans. As well as holding a passion for travel and cruising, Susan is a hot yoga enthusiast and the proud mother of a 19-year old son who attends military school back in the US.
