Kamlani says leaving Prestige Cruise Holdings was difficult

Kunal Kamlani, departing president of Prestige Cruise Holdings, said that leaving the company was difficult but that circumstances didn’t lend themselves for him to continue in the job.

In an interview with Travel Weekly, Kamlani said he was very proud of the work he had done since returning to the company in 2011 under Prestige Chairman Frank Del Rio and the private equity owners of Prestige, Apollo Global Management.

“Frank and Apollo had brought me on to help monetize the value of Oceania and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. That’s what we were asked to do, and that’s what we ultimately did,” Kamlani said.

Earlier this year, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings struck a $3.03 billion deal to acquire Prestige. Both companies were partly owned by Apollo. The deal closed on Nov. 19.

On Dec. 1, Norwegian announced that Prestige’s former executive vice president, Jason Montague, had been named Prestige’s president and COO following Kamlani’s resignation.

Kamlani didn’t want to elaborate on the circumstances that led to his departure, but said that Monday “was a very, very difficult day for me.”

He said that while the first phase of the job may have been finished, a second phase involving the integration of the two companies was ahead.

“I feel that I unfortunately had to walk away from the opportunity … to have a hand in shaping what this new amazing organization has the ability to do for guests, employees and shareholders,” Kamlani said.

In a note to travel partners, Del Rio praised Kamlani, saying, “While we are saddened by Kunal’s departure, we celebrate his tenure with us and acknowledge his many contributions to our success and wish him all the best with his future endeavors.”

Kamlani said he has no immediate business plans but would like to continue in the cruise industry “in some way, shape or form.”

Kamlani’s signed employment agreement with Prestige, covering the years 2011-14, includes a non-compete clause for one year after his departure from the company.