Rzymowska, will leave the line in June 2023 after 18 years in the cruise sector with Royal Caribbean Group within a near 40-year travel industry career.

She will leave the corporate world to focus her efforts on championing diversity and inclusion and mentoring young people, although stressed she was “fully committed” to Celebrity during her final months and focused “on helping our incredible team continue to go from strength to strength”.

An announcement revealing her departure was made on Tuesday (13 December) and Rzymowska took to social media to share the news. 

“After 18 incredible years with Royal Caribbean Group, latterly leading @CelebrityCruises across EMEA, the time has come for me to hand over the mantle. Not an easy decision and I remain 100% committed to the team over the next few months before focusing on my next chapter,” she tweeted. 

https://twitter.com/JoRzyCruise/status/1602651202998923264

The post was met with a wave of messages from figures across the industry praising Rzymowska for her achievements and contribution to the travel sector.

Former Kuoni boss Derek Jones said he wished Rzymowska “success and happiness in whatever comes next”, adding: “She should be immensely proud of everything she’s achieved over the last 18 years, not just for Royal Caribbean Group but for the wider travel community too. One of the industry’s finest.”

Advantage chief Julia Lo Bue-Said described Rzymowska as “one of the most passionate, dynamic and all-round formidable leaders I know. Trailblazer is an understatement,” she said, while Holidaysplease director Richard Dixon said she had been “an inspiration and a role model to all of us”.

Anna Perrott, Windstar Cruises’ business development manager for UK and Europe, thanked Rzymowska for the impact she had had on her own career aspirations.

“From a young gay girl working in a call centre all those years ago @JoRzyCruise has been a huge inspiration for me in my career so far. From the bottom of my heart - thank you,” she said. 

Clia UK and Ireland director Andy Harmer said the association’s fellow cruise leaders had “loved working with Jo”, calling her "a true giant of our industry".