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MSC taps Costa veteran to lead Caribbean hotel operations

Anne Kalosh
Hesselberg with his wife Mary
Seasoned senior executive Hans Hesselberg has been appointed svp hotel operations for MSC Cruises USA, responsible for overall vessel operation including product delivery and services on ships operating in the Caribbean.

Most recently, Hesselberg led hotel operations for Costa Crociere, based in the Genoa head office.

Rick Sasso, president and ceo of MSC Cruises USA, called it 'a particularly strategic hire' in that Hesselberg’s role is to ensure services and programs on MSC Divina, the line’s first ship dedicated to the North American market, continue to evolve as the ship prepares for its first season in the Mediterranean in spring 2015.

After that, MSC Divina is due to return to the Caribbean.

'Hans Hesselberg’s distinguished career of more than 40 years in the industry makes him uniquely qualified to contribute to our continued commitment to deliver a product that appeals to the North American market,' Sasso added.  

Prior to his years in Genoa for Costa, Hesselberg was vp operations for the Americas for Costa. Earlier, he was vp hotel operations for American Hawaii Cruises.