Seasoned cruise executive Roberto Fusaro, who spent the past 11 years steering MSC into South America's top cruise brand, becomes president, MSC Cruises North America, responsible for the US, Canada and the Caribbean.
Sasso, who has led MSC's North American team for more than a dozen years, putting the brand on the map with stateside travel agents and a growing number of consumers, becomes chairman, MSC Cruises North America.
'As we grow globally, North America is naturally more and more a strategic market for MSC Cruises. For this reason, we are thrilled to have Roberto take the leadership of MSC Cruises’ business in the region and work hand-in-hand with Rick to further our ability to capture the significant additional opportunities for growth that this market presents,' MSC Cruises ceo Gianni Onorato said.
MSC, he pointed out, is in the midst of a second major growth spurt, with 11 newbuilds (including options) planned to enter service between June 2017 and 2026, a total investment of $10.2bn.
North America, where MSC Divina operates year-round from PortMiami, also bagged one of MSC's first next-generation ships, MSC Seaside, straight upon its delivery in late 2017. And the company is investing heavily in the Caribbean region with the construction of its private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.
'It is clear that MSC Cruises is committed to the North American market,' Fusaro said. 'I am honored to have the opportunity to take on this new challenge and excited to work with Rick and the rest of the North American team as we look to further grow our business in the region and deliver a unique vacation experience to guests on board one of the most modern and elegant fleets at sea.'
Fusaro joins Sasso in the company's Fort Lauderdale office. No changes were reported to the rest of the Fort Lauderdale-based team, whose senior executives include evp Ken Muskat (sales, public relations and guest services) and svp Bonnie Levengood (marketing). With the growth MSC plans in North America, it's likely there will be further additions to the US management group.
Fusaro has had a high profile in South America's travel industry. He built MSC into the leading cruise operator there, taking it from a player with minimal brand awareness to the dominant line. In 2014, he added the industry role of chairing Cruise Lines International Association-ABREMAR, the Brazilian cruise association. Fusaro has been a key figure at events like Seatrade Latin America and he was a speaker on the Americas panel at Seatrade Miami in 2014.
Before joining MSC in 2005, Fusaro worked in Miami for Costa Cruises and was managing director for Costa South America. He has been based in Brazil since 2001.
An Argentine of Italian heritage, Fusaro holds an MBA from the University of Chicago. Early in his career he worked as an auditor for the accounting firm Arthur Andersen.
As Fusaro takes his new North America job, Adrian Ursilli and Javier Massignani will become managing directors for Brazil and Argentina, respectively. Both were previously commercial directors for the same two markets, reporting to Fusaro.
Sasso is now expected to have a more strategic role. One of cruising's best known and longest serving top leaders, he gave MSC instant visibility and credibility stateside when the company embarked on its first major growth phase over the past decade. He has been a tireless champion of the brand with travel agents and consumers.
'I’m pleased to welcome Roberto to the team and am looking forward to working closely with him going forward as we enter the next stage of MSC Cruises’ growth in the North American market,' Sasso said. He added: 'I know what’s to come in the future will be even more impressive than anything we’ve seen yet.'
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