Alex Pinelo, who joined the river cruise specialist as vice-president of sales in 2017, will take over the top role from Murphy to lead Ama’s North American sales team.

Murphy joined the company, co-founded by his father Jimmy Murphy, in 2009. He was appointed vice-president of sales in 2013 before being promoted to senior vice-president of sales in 2019.

Ama said he played "an integral role" building the line’s relationships with travel agents, and was a driving force behind a number of support programmes designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the travel industry.

Prior to joining AmaWaterways, Murphy collected 30 years’ experience in travel, working for Group Voyagers in Europe, Brendan Vacations and Miami Air International.

"It is difficult for me to use the term ‘retirement’, but I have two passions in my life – AmaWaterways and my family – and the time has come for me to devote more time to the second one," said Murphy.

"The Murphys are forever attached to Rudi, Kristin and the entire AmaWaterways family, and we look forward to celebrating with AmaWaterways as it continues to set the standard for river cruising around the globe."

The moves come as the company prepares to launch its 2022 European season in mid-March.

Expansion plans for the fleet are under way, including the development of AmaMagdalena, which is scheduled to debut on Colombia’s Magdalena River in early 2024.