Manfred Ursprunger to Become Executive VP Fleet Operations - Costa Cruises

Manfred Ursprunger has been appointed as Executive Vice President Fleet Operations at Costa Crociere, effective 1 November 2010. The new position will report directly to the President, G. Onorato.

As Executive VP Fleet Operations he will supervise the Technical Operations and the Cruise Operations Departments being responsible for all the technical, marine hotel operations and guest services for the entire Costa Cruises fleet composed of 14 ships in service plus 2 under constructions to be delivered in 2011 and 2012.

His responsibility will be to give a further development to technical innovations both for new buildings and the existing ships; find new ways to confirm and enhance Costa's sustainability commitment; look for product innovation to maintain and reinforce the pioneering positioning of the Costa brand and the high customer satisfaction rate (98%).

"I am glad to have Manfred onboard with Costa Crociere again," said Gianni Onorato, President of Costa Cruises. "I am sure that his terrific experience will help Costa to be always on the edge of the worldwide cruise industry for the upcoming years, contributing to maintain and further developing our leading position in Europe."

Mr. Ursprunger is a veteran in the leisure and cruise industry and a senior executive with a solid proven track record of successful leadership within diverse, international organizations. He built up his background experience covering various management positions in the hospitality industry for ten years. Then in the last two decades he served as:

- Director hotel and food & beverage for Crystal cruises
- VP hotel operations and services for Costa cruise lines
- SVP total guest satisfaction for Celebrity cruises inc.
- President and Ceo for Renaissance cruises inc
- Consultant for Silversea cruises and Holland America line
- SVP operations for Norwegian cruise line, Ncl America and orient line
- Ceo for Nakheel hotels and leisure in Dubai.

Ursprunger, married with two children, graduated from the Agricultural Business School in Vienna Kagran Austria and attended Hotel Management Apprentice Program in Tirol and Linz, Austria. He also attended various programs in North America, UK and Austria, ranging from Creativity and Innovation at Anderson UCLA to Leadership & Management at J&W and International Business programs.

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