Amanda Elgie is joining MSC Cruises from Collette Travel in the newly-created position of regional sales manager for the North East and Yorkshire.
The line is also creating a new sales position in Ireland as part of ambitious growth plans in both countries following a restructure last year and major expansion of the field-based sales team.
Elgie was a business development manager at Collette and previously worked at AMA Waterways as sales manager and previously at Thomas Cook.
She joins MSC on April 3 reporting to head of retail Andrea Stafford.
The appointment and sees the total number of regional sales managers grow to seven, alongside a national account team that is responsible for managing cruise specialist agencies.
Sales director Steve Williams said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled for Amanda to join us at such an exciting time at MSC Cruises.
“With ten new ships being delivered over the coming years, the trade will be critical to our exciting growth plans in the UK.
“Amanda brings a wealth of experience and understands the needs of our high street partners whilst having a strong passion and energy for cruise.
“She has excellent relationships with the trade in the North East already so will be able to hit the ground running.”
At the same time MSC is to expand a team of two in Ireland – national account manager Rebecca Kelly and regional sales manager Erica Oglesby – by taking on a further full time regional sales manager.
Williams said: “Our commitment to the Irish market remains at the very top of the agenda for MSC Cruises.
“It is fitting in the year when we celebrate ten years of operations in Ireland that we will be further growing our field sales team to a team of three to support our partners in the Republic which is complemented by a further team of two in Northern Ireland.”