Salika Kebschull will become managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on 1 January 2027, succeeding Isolde Susset as the long-serving cruise executive retires after approximately 30 years with the company.
Kebschull will join Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on 1 November 2026, beginning a two-month transition period alongside Susset before formally assuming responsibility for the brand at the start of the new year.
Two-month leadership handover
Susset will remain in charge of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises until the end of 2026. The overlap with her successor is intended to provide a structured handover covering the brand's ships, teams, crews, commercial partners and future development.
From 1 January 2027, Kebschull will officially take up the position of managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and join the management structure responsible for the luxury and expedition brand.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operates as part of TUI Cruises, the joint venture between TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Group.
Isolde Susset retires after three decades
Susset has spent approximately three decades with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and has held responsibility for the entire fleet as managing director and a member of the TUI Cruises management team since 2024.
Her career has been particularly closely associated with the development of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' expedition operation.
The company credited Susset with playing a major role in the development of the three purpose-built expedition ships Hanseatic nature, Hanseatic inspiration and Hanseatic spirit.
TUI Cruises chief executive Wybcke Meier thanked Susset for shaping the brand with what she described as expertise and passion, particularly through the growth of the expedition segment.
Luxury-hotel and cruise experience
Kebschull joins Hapag-Lloyd Cruises with senior experience spanning international luxury hotels, tourism sales and cruise consulting.
Her previous positions include general manager of Hotel München Palace, director of membership services at Relais & Châteaux and director of cruise consulting at Sea Cloud Cruises.
She has worked across sales, marketing, revenue management, distribution, e-commerce and business development. Most recently, she provided strategic advice to international hotel projects, focusing on sales, market positioning, guest experience and operational processes.
Kebschull studied at the Altötting hotel-management school and trained at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Hamburg. Her professional education also includes studies at Cornell University and an MBA from Reims Business School, now NEOMA Business School.
Responsibility for luxury and expedition fleet
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operates a fleet spanning traditional luxury cruising and small-ship expedition voyages.
The brand's luxury ships are Europa and Europa 2, while its modern expedition fleet consists of Hanseatic nature, Hanseatic inspiration and Hanseatic spirit.
Kebschull said the company stood for exceptional travel experiences, high quality and clear positioning in the luxury and expedition sectors. She will use the transition period to become familiar with its teams, ships, crews and commercial partners.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the new head of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises?
Salika Kebschull will become managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on 1 January 2027.
When will Salika Kebschull join the company?
She will join on 1 November 2026 and work alongside Isolde Susset during a two-month transition period.
Why is Isolde Susset leaving?
Susset is retiring at the end of 2026 after approximately 30 years with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Which ships will come under Kebschull's leadership?
The Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet includes the luxury ships Europa and Europa 2 and the expedition vessels Hanseatic nature, Hanseatic inspiration and Hanseatic spirit.