Jason Montague returns to oversee Oceania Cruises, RegentJason Montague returns to oversee Oceania Cruises, Regent

Seasoned leader Jason Montague is returning to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in a new role as chief luxury officer to oversee Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises as they embark on a strong growth phase.

Andrea DeMarco will be leaving the Regent presidency after a two-year stint, and Frank A. Del Rio will newly report to Montague, who has years of prior experience leading both brands.

DeMarco was promoted to Regent president in December 2022 when Montague completed a six-year stint as president and CEO.

'Failed at retirement'

'I failed at retirement,' Montague quipped in an interview with Seatrade Cruise News early Monday. 'It was tough stepping down in 2022. I'm a workaholic. I love this industry. I have a passion for both brands. It has to do with the people on the teams.'

Passion and financial acumen

NCLH CEO Harry Sommer, who knows Montague well after their more than 15 years working together, called him 'uniquely positioned' to shape the future of the two brands, citing his passion, coupled with financial acumen.

'We've been dating,' Sommer joked, referring to their discussions over some weeks about Montague returning.

And with the hefty investment going into growing Oceania and Regent via newbuilds, plus extensive refurbishments planned for additional ships, Sommer said it's important to have a strong leader focused on those brands.

Keeping the two brands unique

'Our goal is not to merge the brands,' Sommer stressed, adding they'll continue to have separate marketing, sales and call center teams. 'We'll be keeping the two brands unique.'

Oceania is expecting three newbuilds through 2029, starting with Allura later this year. Additionally, Marina and Riviera will be refurbished in 2026 and 2027, respectively. For Regent, two new vessels are coming through 2029, in addition to enhancements of Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

No plans to appoint a Regent president

DeMarco will be remaining in her role through March 4, with Montague officially beginning Feb. 17, though he's already working closely with Sommer and, on Tuesday, he'll be attending a gala for Seven Seas Mariner as it sets off on its world cruise from PortMiami.

There are no current plans to appoint a Regent Seven Seas Cruises president.

From his earlier tenure at Regent and Oceania, Montague knows the ships, crew and shoreside leaders well.

Long experience with Oceania and Regent

Before his focus on the Regent brand, he was president and COO of Oceania Cruises and Regent. This came after his work at NCLH to integrate Prestige Cruises International, the Oceania/Regent holding company, following its acquisition. He had served as CFO at Prestige before that and from 2004 to 2008 was VP/treasurer at Oceania.

His association with Oceania goes as far back as writing the business plan for the new brand with the Del Rio family.

DeMarco's accomplishments

In the past two years DeMarco oversaw the introduction of Seven Seas Grandeur and has been involved in the planning for Seven Seas Prestige, coming in 2026. A bigger Regent newbuild design, it's part of the eight-ship order NCLH placed last April. Recently she unveiled Regent's new brand positioning with the 'Unrivaled At Sea' tagline and a global brand campaign, 'Nobody Does It Better.'

Andrea DeMarco is leaving Regent Seven Seas Cruises well-positioned for the future PHOTO: REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

'Andrea's a remarkable woman,' Montague said. 'I brought her into the Regent brand, and we wish her health, luck and happiness.'

Sommer echoed that praise, noting that DeMarco was in charge during a challenging period when she herself had health challenges, which she overcame. She's leaving Regent with the best guest scores it's ever had and in the best booked position going into 2025.

Other team members and colleagues

Montague is returning to a stable team.

Sommer pointed to senior talent like Franco Semeraro, SVP hotel operations for Oceania and Regent, a 'force of nature who literally reads every guest comment card.'

'He's one of a kind,' Montague agreed.

And, in his new role, Montague looks forward to liaising again with fellow NCLH brand leader David Herrera, Norwegian Cruise Line president, calling him 'a great guy.'

'David and Jason have a longtime, collaborative relationship,' Sommer said. 'The two of them working together is only going to make their respective brands better.'