Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Names Salika Kebschull as its New Managing Director with Isolde Susset Retires

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has made provisions for a major change in leadership, as Isolde Susset has decided to retire by the end of 2026, after working with the cruise company for some 30 years, having been appointed to take up the post of Managing Director, beginning on 1 January 2027. She has made a huge contribution in developing the cruise line and its expedition segment, especially through her involvement in the construction of the expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit.

Starting from 2024, she was Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Executive Board Member of TUI Cruises GmbH, responsible for the entire fleet of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The appointment of Kebschull will come before the leadership change will be in effect, enabling both executives to work together during this period of transition.

Salika Kebschull Takes Over Managing Director Role on 1 January 2027

The leadership handover has been planned to provide continuity across Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ operations. Salika Kebschull will join Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on 1 November 2026, two months before officially assuming the Managing Director position. During November and December, Kebschull will work alongside Susset to prepare for the transfer of responsibilities. Her formal appointment will begin on 1 January 2027.

The transition period is intended to allow the incoming Managing Director to become familiar with the company’s teams, ships, crews and business partners while benefiting directly from Susset’s extensive experience. This arrangement provides time for knowledge transfer before Kebschull assumes full responsibility for the cruise line.

Isolde Susset Leaves Behind Three Decades of Cruise Industry Experience

Susset’s departure marks the end of an approximately 30-year career with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Her influence has been particularly strong within the company’s expedition segment, where she helped shape the development of its modern expedition fleet.

The three ships associated with this development are:

• HANSEATIC nature
• HANSEATIC inspiration
• HANSEATIC spirit

These vessels strengthened Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ position in the expedition market and became an important part of the company’s wider cruise offering. Susset subsequently took responsibility for the entire fleet as Managing Director in 2024. Her career has therefore encompassed both specialist expedition development and broader executive responsibility across the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operation.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Thanks Susset for Her Contribution to Expedition Cruising

TUI Cruises CEO Wybcke Meier highlighted Susset’s expertise and contribution to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises over three decades. Her leadership in the expedition segment was identified as particularly important to the company’s development. Susset’s career reflects the evolution of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises from a long-established luxury cruise brand into an operator with a strong presence across both luxury and expedition travel.

Her involvement in the development of the three HANSEATIC ships represents one of the defining elements of her tenure. The company’s leadership has expressed gratitude for the role she played in shaping these developments and supporting the cruise line’s growth.

Salika Kebschull Brings Luxury Hospitality and Cruise Experience to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Kebschull arrives with an extensive professional background spanning international luxury hotels, tourism sales and cruise consultancy. Her career has included leadership responsibilities across multiple areas of the hospitality and tourism industries.

Her experience covers:

• Sales
• Marketing
• Revenue management
• Distribution
• E-commerce
• Business development
• Guest experience
• Strategic positioning

She has worked with recognised international hotel groups and establishments while also gaining direct cruise industry experience. Among her previous positions, Kebschull served as General Manager of Hotel München Palace, Director of Membership Services at Relais & Châteaux and Director of Cruise Consultancy at Sea Cloud Cruises. Most recently, she has advised international hotel projects on strategic positioning, sales, guest experience and process optimisation.

Kebschull Prepares to Lead Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Luxury and Expedition Portfolio

The new Managing Director will take responsibility for a cruise brand positioned around luxury and expedition travel. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is known for offering high-end travel experiences, with its expedition ships providing access to destinations where exploration and discovery are central to the journey. Kebschull’s combination of luxury hospitality experience and cruise-sector knowledge provides a background relevant to both sides of the company’s positioning.

Her experience in guest experience and strategic development is also relevant as luxury travellers increasingly expect highly personalised service and carefully designed travel experiences. Her upcoming transition period with Susset provides an opportunity to combine established company knowledge with her external hospitality and tourism expertise.

New Managing Director Highlights Quality, Luxury and Extraordinary Travel

Kebschull has identified extraordinary travel experiences, high quality, luxury and expedition travel as defining characteristics of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. She is expected to work closely with the company’s teams, ships, crews and business partners as she prepares to take over.

Her approach reflects the importance of preserving the brand’s established identity while continuing to develop its future direction. The transition also provides an opportunity for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to build on its existing luxury and expedition positioning while responding to changing expectations among international travellers. Her background in hospitality and tourism provides additional experience in creating guest-focused services across premium travel environments.

Incoming Executive Brings International Hotel Leadership Experience

Kebschull’s professional development began with training at the Altötting Hotel Management School and the renowned Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg. She later completed study visits at Cornell University and earned an MBA from Reims Business School/NEOMA Business School. Her education was followed by a career that crossed hotel operations, luxury hospitality, tourism sales and cruise consultancy.

This combination has given her experience in both operational leadership and commercial strategy. Her background is particularly broad for an executive entering a luxury cruise business, combining traditional hospitality knowledge with experience in distribution, digital commerce and business development.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Plans Seamless Executive Handover

The two-month overlap between Susset and Kebschull is a central element of the succession plan. Rather than creating an immediate leadership change, the company has established a period during which the outgoing and incoming executives can work together. Kebschull will have the opportunity to understand the organisation from the inside before taking over on 1 January 2027.

The process includes exposure to the company’s teams, ships, crews and partners. For a cruise company operating a specialised fleet across luxury and expedition markets, continuity of operational and commercial knowledge is particularly important. The transition is therefore designed to preserve institutional knowledge while preparing the organisation for its next phase of leadership.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Moves Into New Chapter With Leadership Continuity

Retirement of Susset represents a significant milestone for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, especially considering her contributions to the development of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ expeditions division as well as her role in shaping the HANSEATIC fleet. Appointing of Kebschull will represent a new era for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises starting January 2027. Experience in international luxury hospitality sector along with expertise in business and cruises will form a comprehensive background for the job. Additionally, a key part of the leadership transition includes an intention to preserve Hapag-Lloyd Cruises reputation in terms of quality, luxury and expedition cruise line.

Given that more and more global cruise passengers expect personalization and uniqueness of their cruise, the importance of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ luxury hospitality combined with expedition cruise expertise cannot be underestimated. With Susset taking care of the business till the end of 2026 and Kebschull joining in November 2026, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will make a prepared transition into the next era of its luxury and expedition cruise line.