Celebrity and Holland America background
After 18 years at sea with Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises, Zeller joined MSC in June 2017, working under Hesselberg's tutelage. He started as brand performance director in charge of the MSC Seaside newbuild and hotel operations.
His new role oversees hotel operations for all of MSC's US-based ships, which will number three at the end of 2018 (MSC Seaside, MSC Divina and MSC Armonia), and four at the end of 2019 with the addition of MSC Meraviglia.
Respect for Hans Hesselberg
Hesselberg, a seasoned cruise industry senior executive, had signed on with MSC in August 2014, following two decades with Costa Crociere. Earlier, he was with American Hawaii Cruises.
'My fondness and respect for Hans dates decades and it was an honor to have worked closely with such a professional with such vast experience these recent years,' said Rick Sasso, chairman of MSC Cruises USA. 'With the introduction of MSC Seaside, MSC Cruises was fortunate to have Hans help us set a successful product that is a cornerstone and foundation for our future successes.'
Zeller's leadership awards, commendations
Before MSC, Zeller spent five years with Celebrity Cruises as a hotel director, where he received the '2014 Star Ship of the Year' award from president and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo for 'outstanding leadership on board the Celebrity Eclipse.'
Prior to that, Zeller had 13 years with Holland America Line, joining in 1999 as assistant maitre d’ and becoming the line's youngest hotel director at age 32. He received a Commendation of Excellence certificate from CEO Stein Kruse and EVP Dan Grausz and three letters of commendation from the CEO for service excellence. In addition, as food and beverage manager Zeller had experience with five newbuilds, including their setup, inaugurals and initial revenue cruises.
A native of the Netherlands, he studied at the Hotel Management School Leeuwarden (now Stenden University) and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
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