Shocking and sad news for the luxury cruise industry today. Deborah L. Natansohn, president of Seabourn Cruise Line, passed away after suffering a heart attack on Sunday, October 22. She was only 53.For those who follow the cruise business, you already know what an extraordinary person Deborah was. She was the first female appointed president of any cruise line when she earned that post at Orient Lines in 1998. Over the years, she also resided as president at Cunard and was instrumental in launching the Queen Mary 2. She became president of Seabourn in 2004.
Deborah had refined Seabourn's operation and found great success... so much so that the company just signed letters of intent for two new ultra luxury ships to debut in 2009 and 2010.
She was from New York and earned her BA in English Literature and Journalism at the State University of New York, Albany. She also attended Harvard Business School. She entered the workforce as an editor at Travel Trade magazine and then segued into travel marketing.
Deborah always gave back to the community and was a member of several mentor programs. She had so many plans and it's heartbreaking that she won't see them to fruition.
My thoughts are with Deborah's family, friends and colleagues.
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