Gianni Onorato named CEO of MSC Cruises

Former Costa Cruises president Gianni Onorato was named CEO of rival MSC Cruises, effective Sept. 2.

The announcement has been widely expected since Onorato stepped down at Costa in June. 

MSC said its current CEO, Pierfrancesco Vago, will become executive chairman of MSC, with responsibility for all companies of the MSC Group that have strategic relevance to tourism.

In a statement, Vago said that during his 10-year tenure, MSC Cruises has built 10 ships in three classes and opened 45 offices around the world.

“I am confident that the appointment of Gianni will consolidate our management structure, building on its existing strengths and boosting the company’s development plans even further,” he said.

Onarato will be based in Geneva, Switzerland, the headquarters of privately held MSC. He will report to the board and to Vago.

Follow Tom Stieghorst on Twitter @tstravelweekly.