Royal Caribbean, AmaWaterways, Ambassador Cruise Line: all the latest travel trade people moves

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Royal Caribbean, AmaWaterways, Ambassador Cruise Line: all the latest travel trade people moves

Technology

Ilaria Grasso Macola

12 February 2025

TTG’s weekly round-up of the latest appointments, promotions, restructurings and farewells from across the trade is the definitive digest of the travel trade people moves you need to know about.

TTG's weekly people moves digest is published every Wednesday

Moves this week see a top-selling agent for Royal Caribbean join the line’s trade team, while AmaWaterways has also made an appointment to strengthen its service to agents.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Cruise Line has shuffled its pack after head of distribution Nicola Harper took maternity leave, and there has been a high profile departure from Cruise118.com’s parent World Travel Holdings UK.

Elsewhere, AmaWaterways has also named its new president, Tui’s new UK and Ireland boss has joined Abta’s board, and easyJet has appointed a new chief people officer plus a new chief data and technology officer.

So here are the latest major travel trade hires, promotions and job moves over the past few weeks (Wednesday 5 February to Wednesday 12 February).

Have you recently made a new appointment or taken on a new role? Do you have some personnel news for us from your business or organisation? Drop us an email at feedback@ttgmedia.com.

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Top-selling agent for Royal Caribbean to join line's trade team

Royal Caribbean International has taken on Oasis Travel agent Elaine Truesdale as its new sales development manager to support the brand's growth in the Irish market. Truesdale brings experience from the agency sector, and has consistently topped the line's sales incentive leaderboards. She was the first agent in Ireland to receive "Guru" status from the line for completing the highest level of Royal brand training available from its agent learning and rewards platform, My Club Royal. Truesdale said she was excited to pass on her enthusiasm and knowledge of the Royal brand to other agents, which she said she had gained from years of selling the product as an agent and sailing with her family. Jennifer Callister, Royal Caribbean International's head of sales Ireland, added: "We could not ask for anyone better to represent the Royal Caribbean brand in the Irish market. Elaine’s passion for our brand is evident through her impressive track record, consistently ranking at the top of our leaderboards in various travel partner initiatives. We are sure she will be a huge asset to the team and we are excited to see what she can bring to this role." Truesdale will take up her new role on Monday 24 February.

AmaWaterways expands UK sales team after record year

Separately, AmaWaterways has expanded its British team with the appointment of Jennifer Shah as sales and marketing support executive. The announcement marks Shah’s return to the industry after a career break, as she previously worked for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Uniworld River Cruises. “As well as being a record year for sales, 2024 saw us work with more agency partners than ever before,” said managing director Jamie Loizou. “Our philosophy has always been to offer them the same high level of service that our guests experience on our ships. With new products and multiple ships in the pipeline, this approach is more important than ever, and these new hires ensure we have the resources to continue to offer an industry leading service.” It comes as Aimee Boschier was promoted to marketing manager while AmaWaterways announced a 30% expansion of the reservations team.

Karen Cameron to step up at Ambassador as Nicola Harper takes mat leave

Ambassador Cruise Line head of distribution Nicola Harper has temporarily left the company to go on maternity leave. Harper will be replaced by deputy head of trade Karen Cameron, who will take on the new role alongside her current one. An industry veteran with almost 30 years of experience, Cameron has had stints at the likes of P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises as well as at Barrhead and Thomas Cook. “During my maternity leave, Karen will be stepping up to provide cover,” said Harper. “With a great reputation in the trade, our new deputy head of trade has considerable leadership experience and deep knowledge and insight of the UK holiday market. I could think of no one better to lead the team while I’m away as we continue to provide our valued trade partners with all the support and tools they need.”

AmaWaterways names ex-Disney and Airbnb chief as new president

Luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways has appointed Catherine Powell as its new president, effective 17 February. Powell, who has held relevant roles at the likes of the Walt Disney Company and Airbnb, will work alongside co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst. She will report to Schreiner as Karst takes on the additional role of chief brand ambassador. "I very much look forward to not only creating more awareness and forging relationships internationally, but to maintaining and strengthening our very important relationships with our travel trade (partners) who have always been at the heart of AmaWaterways," said Karst. Commenting on her appointment, Powell said: "The company's commitment to exceptional guest experiences, innovation, and sustainability aligns perfectly with my own values and vision for the future of travel. Having spent my career in entertainment and hospitality, I'm excited to bring my passion for creating unforgettable moments to the world of luxury river cruising."

Alison Earnshaw to leave WTH UK after 17 years

World Travel Holdings (WTH) UK managing director Alison Earnshaw is set to leave the business after almost 20 years. Earnshaw joined WTH UK in 2008 as product and commercial director before getting promoted to managing director in 2018. "I’ve been part of a huge success story at WTH UK," said Earnshaw. "[I] am very proud to have led the business for the past seven years, and of our many accomplishments, achievements and awards over the years since we started trading in 2008." She departs due to personal reasons, but she will support the business in its search for a new boss.

Tui's UK and Ireland MD Neil Swanson joins Abta's board

Tui managing director Neil Swanson has joined the Abta board of directors, effective February. “[Neil’s] expertise and the in-depth experience he has gained in the travel industry and the wider commercial sector will be invaluable as we continue to look at ways to enhance our services to members and safeguard their interests in our dealings with leading decision makers,” said chair Alistair Rowland. Swanson started his career in travel at Tui in 2001, launching the first websites for the Lunn Poly and Thomson brands. He then held a variety of sales and development roles before being appointed chief marketing officer in 2023 and UK and Ireland managing director a year later.

Sabre ups support for agents in Ireland with new sales manager hire

Travel technology giant Sabre has expanded its Irish team with the appointment of Trish O’Leary as sales and account manager. An industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, O’Leary will help agents adopt Sabre’s technology to optimise their operations. “Travel agencies need access to multi-source content and capabilities in a single retailing environment to improve efficiency and respond to evolving airline distribution strategies,” said O’Leary. “With Sabre Travel Marketplace, agents can access dynamic offers, compare multiple options, and simplify the booking management process in an increasingly complex landscape. Irish travel agencies will benefit from access to more NDC and low-cost carrier content, which is essential for serving a market with a strong mix of corporate and leisure travellers.

EasyJet strengthens people, data and technology teams

Elly Tomlins and Opal Perry have joined easyJet as its new chief people officer and chief data and technology officer. Tomlins, who has had stints at the likes of Thompson Reuters, Whitbrea and Britvic, will start on 11 March. Meanwhile Perry, who has held prominent roles at Hertz and US insurer Allstate Insurance Company, has replaced Stuart Birrell, who retired at the end of 2024 after four years at the company. “The company clearly has a very special culture and our Orange Spirit is lived every day through our 18000 colleagues; it is hugely exciting to be part of that and help make sure our people experience is world class,” Tomlins commented.

John Chidsey rejoins Norwegian Cruise Line's board

John Chidsey has joined Norwegian Cruise Line’s board as an independent director, effective 5 February. Chidsey, who first joined the cruise line’s board between 2013 and 2022, will serve as chair of the nominating and governance committee as well as a member of the audit committee. Prior to re-joining the board, Chidsey has held a variety of prominent roles – including chief executive at the likes of Subway and Burger King. "John has deep knowledge of large-scale operations, financial management, and corporate strategy shaped by his previous experience as chief executive of Subway and Burger King,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “His deep understanding of our industry due to his previous service on the board will provide invaluable insight into the unique demands of the cruise sector.