CEO James Rodriguez will be leaving Atlas Ocean Voyages
James Rodriguez, whose two-year leadership of Atlas Ocean Voyages has been a tour de force, will be leaving at year's end.
October 3, 2024
He's stepping down to pursue other opportunities after helping shape this young and growing brand on many fronts.
Positive contribution
'We can only wish him the best and thank him for the positive contribution that he brought to the group and to the great team we have,' Mário Ferreira, founder and head of Atlas parent company Mystic Invest Holding, told Seatrade Cruise News.
With his sales experience, Rodriguez did a 'great job' continuing the development of a brand launched stateside by founding President Alberto Aliberti during the difficult COVID pandemic, Ferreira added.
'Atlas will close a very positive year, closer to achieving the occupancy rates and APDs that are budgeted,' he said. 'The prospects for 2025 and 2026 are great,' he continued, with more than 70% of next year's capacity already booked, promising that 2025 will be the best year in the company's young history.
Accomplishments
Joining in August 2022, Rodriguez built a strong South Florida-based team to ensure it was well-positioned to serve the North American market.
He raised awareness of Atlas in the competitive polar expedition arena while also expanding the focus and identity beyond polar climes to include epicurean expeditions and cultural expeditions.
Rodriguez also strengthened relationships with the trade and consumers and branched Atlas into the UK and Australasia markets.
Vision and leadership
Theresa Scalzitti, chief operations officer Cruise Planners, and the godmother of Atlas ship World Traveller, said Rodriguez's 'vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping Atlas' strong reputation in the highly competitive expedition and European cruising markets.'
Scalzitti sailed Atlas in Antarctica in 2022 shortly after Rodriguez joined and in the Mediterranean in 2024.
'His vision of creating exceptional European experiences through epicurean and cultural expeditions has truly set Atlas apart,' Scalzitti said, 'along with his emphasis on elevated onboard experiences and the warm, welcoming crew.
'I wish James the very best and hope his successor will continue the positive momentum he has set in motion.'
Search for a successor
Ferreira is leading the search for a successor, with the hope to have a new president in place by year's end.
Until then, Rodriguez continues to lead Atlas, and it's 'business as usual.'
Ferreira said: 'We have a great team. Today's Atlas brand belongs to many incredible individuals that work as a team, that is available seven days a week in Fort Lauderdale, Porto and in the far corners of the world.
'The success belongs also to the quality, comfort and design of our superyacht and to the great operations team managed by Ferdinand (Strohmeier)' based in Mystic's Porto headquarters.
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