Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Managing Director Isolde Susset is to retire on 1 January 2027 after 30 years at the TUI-owned line.
Isolde was instrumental in shaping the brand’s expedition offer, playing a key role in developing three expedition ships: HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit.
She will be succeeded by Salika Kebschull, who joins Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on 1 November for a two-month handover period before formally becoming MD.
Salika brings a background in the luxury hotel industry and tourism sales, with senior roles spanning marketing, revenue management, distribution, e-commerce and business development.
Her previous positions include Hotel München Palace General Manager, Relais & Châteaux Director of Membership Services and Sea Cloud Cruises Director of Cruise Consultancy.
Most recently, Salika has been advising international hotel projects on strategic positioning, sales, guest experience and process optimisation.
Isolde said: “Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has been a constant presence and a defining influence throughout many years of my professional life. I am grateful for the many special developments I have been able to shape together with fantastic teams, particularly the establishment and further development of our expedition segment. I am therefore all the more delighted to now hand over responsibility to Salika Kebschull during a personal handover period, and I wish her every success and fulfilment in her new role.”
Salika added: “Hapag-Lloyd Cruises stands for extraordinary travel experiences, the highest quality and a clear positioning in the luxury and expedition segments. I am very much looking forward to getting to know the teams, the ships and crews, and our partners, and to shaping the brand’s future development together. The opportunity to work closely with Isolde Susset from November onwards and to benefit from her many years of experience is a particularly valuable start to my new role.”
