by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 2:15 PM ET, Mon August 17, 2026
WHY IT RATES: Costa Cruises is naming a new leader for its Americas region as the company looks to build on its growth across the market.—Sarah Kuta, TravelPulse writer
Costa Cruises today announced a leadership transition in its Americas Region, with Dario Rustico set to leave the company and Jorge Serrano Martín de Vidales appointed as the new Americas Region Director. In his new role, Serrano Martín de Vidales will report directly to Luigi Stefanelli, Worldwide Sales Vice President, and will lead the company's commercial strategy and business development across the Americas Region.
Jorge Serrano Martín de Vidales (Photo Credit: Costa Cruises)
The appointment of Serrano Martín de Vidales comes after Rustico's decision to leave Costa Cruises, effective Sept. 14, 2026, to pursue personal goals outside the company after more than two decades of distinguished service.
"I am deeply grateful for the experiences, relationships, and achievements during my 24 years with Costa. It has been a privilege to work alongside exceptional colleagues, partners, and teams across Asia Pacific, Europe and, during this past decade, the Americas. I leave with great pride in what we have accomplished together and every confidence in Costa's continued success in the years ahead,"declared Rustico.
Stefanelli underlined that "Dario has made an extraordinary contribution to the development of our global business. His entrepreneurial spirit, determination, and leadership have left a lasting legacy across our entire organization. We thank him sincerely for his commitment and achievements and wish him every success in the next chapter of his personal and professional journey."
Serrano Martín de Vidales, currently leading trade sales for Costa in Spain and Portugal, will formally step into his new role in January 2027, once his transfer to the Costa Brazil offices is completed. Until then, the Americas Region team will report directly to Stefanelli. With this important international assignment, Costa Cruises reaffirms its commitment to growth, talent development, and continued success across the Americas region.
"Jorge brings extensive commercial expertise and a proven track record of driving growth across diverse markets and distribution channels. His appointment reflects Costa's commitment to developing talent and fostering leadership from within," continued Stefanelli. "Jorge’s commercial expertise, extensive industry knowledge, and international mindset make him exceptionally well positioned to lead the important Americas Region."
"I am honored to take on this new responsibility and grateful for the trust the Company has placed in me," declared Serrano Martín de Vidales. "The Americas region represents a dynamic and strategic market, and I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to build on the strong foundation already in place and continue driving sustainable growth for the future."
The entire Costa organization extends its sincere gratitude to Rustico for his invaluable contribution over more than 20 years of service and reaffirms its full confidence in Serrano Martín de Vidales as he assumes his new responsibilities.
This transition marks a further step forward in the company's ongoing commitment to sustainable growth and continued leadership across the Americas region.
SOURCE: Costa Cruises press release
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