The boss of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is stepping down with the completion of the brand’s integration under the Tui Cruises joint venture with Royal Caribbean
Karl Pojer is handing over the management of the German luxury and expedition brand to the management of Tui Cruises at the end of the year.
Julian Pfitzner, previously responsible for the line’s MS Europa 2 and the marketing of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, becomes chief executive.
Pojer, who has held various management positions in the Tui Group since 1996, said: “It was an important step to integrate the successful and powerful Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brand into the joint venture between the Tui Group and Royal Caribbean. I have actively and intensively accompanied and shaped this route.
“Now it is the right time to hand over the tasks and the further path to the new management.”
He hands over after seven years at the helm of the line, overseeing a restructuring and turnaround of the company.
Pojer has represented the growing cruise industry in Germany since 2016 as chairman of the leadership council of Clia Deutschland.
Tui executive board member Sebastian Ebel said: “We would like to thank Karl Pojer for his many years of outstanding service to the group and above all for his special achievements for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.”