Betsy O’Rourke
MIAMI — Windstar Cruises has named Janet Bava as its new Chief Commercial Officer.
Bava takes over the role on July 24.
Windstar’s current CCO, Betsy O’Rourke, will move to a consultancy role with Windstar’s parent company Xanterra Travel Collection and its ownership, The Anschutz Corporation, as well as engage in outside board opportunities. O’Rourke has served as CCO for Windstar since 2020 and also CCO of Xanterra since 2012.
Prior to joining Windstar, Bava was Chief Marketing Officer at AmaWaterways in California. From 2016 to 2018 Bava was with Silversea as VP, Marketing (Americas). From 2014 to 2016 she was the Director CRM & Customer Engagement at NBCUniversal, Inc – Universal Parks & Resort. And from 2006 – 2014, she was Manager, Direct Marketing & Customer Experience Communications for Royal Caribbean International.
Luxury yacht-style cruise line Windstar, based in Miami, brings Bava back to Florida. Bava is also once again working with O’Rourke, who was SVP of Marketing at Royal Caribbean at the same time that Bava worked for the cruise line.
After O’Rourke picked up oversight of the commercial functions of Windstar in early 2020, she 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.
Says Windstar President Christopher Prelog: “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, in her new role with Windstar, 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.
“I am passionate to return to small ship, luxury cruising, a category that has experienced tremendous growth in demand in the last few years. As the new Chief Commercial Officer at Windstar, I am eager to build upon the exceptional work done by Betsy and further elevate the Windstar experience under Chris Prelog’s leadership. Magnify that with the Xanterra Travel Collection and the brand will continue to provide unparalleled experiences to our guests while driving innovation and growth in this exciting sector of the cruise industry,” says Bava.
With a fleet of three all-suite luxury ships and three sailing yachts, Windstar takes passengers on immersive experiences across the globe to both iconic and small ports where big ships can’t reach. The team says Windstar is more successful than ever in its history.
Bava says she’s looking forward to building on Windstar’s strong framework and leveraging the collective expertise of the entire Windstar team under the direction of Prelog.
And O’Rourke has all the confidence in the world in Bava.
“I have been very fortunate to work with great brands, companies, and people and worked closely with Janet Bava during our time at Royal Caribbean International, and I have witnessed firsthand her exceptional leadership and strategic vision,” she said. “I am confident that she is the ideal choice to drive Windstar’s commercial success and help guide the cruise line to new heights.”
