Eamonn Ferrin as been named the line’s vice-president and managing director for the UK, Ireland, Israel, South Africa and Middle East markets.

He will report directly to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ president international, Harry Sommer.

Nick Wilkinson, formerly vice-president and managing director UK and Ireland, the Middle East and Africa will report into Ferrin. Wilkinson will take on a newly-created role as regional vice-president of business development.

Ferrin will oversee the sales, marketing, public relations and office operations for NCL, heading up the UK and Ireland as well as the growing and developing markets of Israel, South Africa and the Middle East.

Prior to joining Norwegian Cruise Line, Ferrin founded Ferrin Consulting, providing consultancy services to travel brands in the airline, tour operator, cruise and hotel industries.

In his most recent consultancy role he was interim chief operating officer at Cruise.co.uk.

From February 2013 to May 2016, Ferrin was president and chief operating officer at Air Canada Vacations. He also served as managing director of the Hotel Breaks Division at Holidaybreak, where he supported Cox & Kings acquisition of Holidaybreak in 2011.

Before that, he held various senior leadership roles within the travel and hospitality sector, including president and chief operating officer at Sunquest Vacations, managing director at BCT Travel Group, and product and commercial director and head of sales and marketing at Airtours where he began his travel industry career after 10 years in previous non-travel sector roles.

Sommer said: “Eamonn’s appointment comes at an exciting time in our company’s history as we continue to strengthen our global footprint.

“The UK is our second largest source market globally, and Israel, South Africa and the Middle East are emerging markets that demonstrate enormous growth potential. Eamonn brings more than 20 years of senior-level experience in the travel and hospitality industry, and having him lead our operations in some of our most important international markets is a testament to our global growth strategy.”