Hospitality
10 cruise line operations experts
These ten professionals have run hotel and shipboard operations at cruise lines, in roles such as vice president of hotel operations and hotel director. A reader can learn how cruise operations leaders build and run their teams at sea and ashore.
Professionals to explore
01—10Bruce Tschampel
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Hotel Operations · Lindblad Expeditions
Former Vice President, Hotel Operations (2017–2021) and Director, Hotel Operations & Shipboard Services (2010–2017) at Lindblad Expeditions, and former Vice President Operational & Strategic Services there (2021–2024), where the profile describes directing supply chain and logistics operations for a fleet of 10 vessels. Former Director, Hotel Operations at Quark Expeditions (2008–2010).
Christophe Belaubre
LinkedInExperience: Hotel Director · Celebrity Cruises
Hotel Director at Celebrity Cruises since 2011, a role the profile describes as responsible for the entire hotel operation and vessel performance, managing a hotel of 1400 rooms with an annual budget of $30 million. Former Associate Hotel Director (2010–2011) and Food and Beverage Manager (2001–2005) at Celebrity Cruises.
Dan Hutchinson
LinkedInExperience: Director, Hotel Operations · Celebrity Cruises
Director, Hotel Operations at Celebrity Cruises since 2026, alongside a role as Fleet Hotel Director there since 2024. The profile describes overseeing the performance and guest experience of the fleet's assigned vessels. Former Hotel Director (2018–2024) and Fleet Food & Beverage Director (2015–2018) at Celebrity Cruises.
Jens Gorka
LinkedInExperience: Chief Shipboard Operations Officer · The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Chief Shipboard Operations Officer at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection since 2024, a role the profile says covers guest experience transformation, operational scalability and brand alignment across a growing fleet of ultra-luxury yachts. Former Senior Vice President Shipboard Operations (2020–2024) and Vice President, Shipboard Operations (2018–2020) there, and Vice President Hotel Operations (2017–2018) and Director Hotel Operations (2015–2017) at Silversea.
John-Paul Lamb
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Hotel Operations · Princess Cruises
Vice President Hotel Operations at Princess Cruises since 2026. Former Vice President, Entertainment (2026) and Director of Hotel Operations (2023–2026) at Princess Cruises, and former Hotel Director (2014–2023) and Food and Beverage Director (2010–2014) at Celebrity Cruises.
Keith Lane
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations at Royal Caribbean · Royal Caribbean Group
Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations at Royal Caribbean at Royal Caribbean Group since 2026. Former Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations at Celebrity Cruises, Inc. (2022–2026) and Vice President of Sales, The Americas (2007–2022) at Royal Caribbean Group. The profile describes leading all hotel operations, including F&B, training and development, entertainment and guest relations.
Lorna Warren
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Global Hotel Operations & Guest Experience · Princess Cruises
Vice President Global Hotel Operations & Guest Experience at Princess Cruises since 2018. Former Manager Shipboard & Corporate Guest Relations at Celebrity Cruises (2011–2014) and Global Recruiter - HR at Royal Caribbean Group (2008–2011). The profile describes experience leading large-scale premium hotel operations and guest experience transformation.
Mark Zeller
LinkedInExperience: Vice President US Hotel Operations · MSC Cruises
Vice President US Hotel Operations at MSC Cruises since 2017, a role the profile says oversees guest experience and hotel operations for all USA-based vessels. Former Hotel Director at Celebrity Cruises (2012–2017) and Hotel Director at Holland America Line (2007–2012), with various hotel operations positions at Holland America Line from 1999 to 2007.
Paul Chapple
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Hotel Operations · Windstar Cruises
Vice President Hotel Operations at Windstar Cruises since 2026, where the profile describes leading and developing onboard hotel teams across the fleet. Former Associate Vice President, Onboard Commercial Strategy (2024–2026), Director, Onboard Revenue (2022–2023) and Senior Manager, Onboard Revenue (2018–2022) at Azamara Cruises.
Steph Armengol
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Hotel Operations, Norwegian Cruise Line · Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
Vice President Hotel Operations, Norwegian Cruise Line at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. since 2022. Former Vice President Hotel Operations, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (2017–2022), and Senior Director Hotel Operations (2012–2016) and Director Hotel Operations (2006–2012) at Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's vantage point to your question, since running one ship as a hotel director differs from setting standards for a whole fleet from the corporate office. Also consider the size and style of the line, because large contemporary ships and small luxury or expedition vessels are operated differently.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you keep guest experience consistent across ships with different crews and itineraries?
- 02Which onboard operating measures do you review most often, and what do they tell you?
- 03How do you split decisions between shipboard leadership and the shoreside office?
Reaching cruise line operations experts
How can I contact one of these cruise line operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 8 companies, including Lindblad Expeditions, Celebrity Cruises and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach cruise line operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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