Disney Cruise Line Russell Daya ~ Director Global Port Operations & Developments. Itinerary Planning. (Deputy CSO) Russell provides operational direction and support to the Disney Cruise Line fleet for global port and security operations. His responsibilities also include worldwide port developments and itinerary planning. As part of his role he has responsibility to maintain current, and develop new government and port relationships worldwide Having recently completed 5 years in the Disney Cruise Line Office’s in London as Director of Marine, Port, Security Operations and Maritime Affairs Russell is now positioned back in the Orlando, Florida office. He joined Disney Cruise Line in 1998 as the manager of marine operations. From 2002 to 2003, he served as staff captain onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder cruise ships. Prior to joining Disney Cruise Line, Russell served for 7 years as a captain for Stena Line Cruise Ferries on various continental routes in Europe as part of his 36 years of maritime industry experience. He is a member of the Nautical Institute, a group dedicated to promoting and coordinating nautical studies and safety worldwide. Born in London, England he now resides in Orlando, FL.
Frank de Heer ~
Vice President of Operations
Frank de Heer is the vice president of Operations for Disney Cruise Line and is based in the company’s U.K. office. A 35-year veteran of the cruise industry, de Heer was named to this post in 2013 after leading the design, construction and delivery the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the newest ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. De Heer is responsible for leading major ship refurbishments and dry dock planning, and participates in the marine, safety, environmental and technical operations of Disney’s fleet and facilities, including its cruise terminal in Port Canaveral, Florida, and its private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. De Heer joined Disney Cruise Line in 1996 as part of the start-up team and has served in a variety of leadership roles with the company, including Vice President of Marine and Technical Operations and Vice President of Project Delivery, Walt Disney Imagineering-Disney Cruise Line Portfolio, in charge of new ship design and construction. Before joining Disney Cruise Line, de Heer served in various shipboard and shoreside roles with Holland America Line, where he was the marine and technical superintendent responsible for Windstar Cruises and several of Holland America Line’s large cruise ships. De Heer is a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. De Heer earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical and marine engineering at the Academy for Marine Engineers in Amsterdam. He presently resides in London, UK.
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CRUISE INDUSTRY PROFILES