Cruise & Maritime Voyages co-founder and operations director Richard Bastow is to step down after 16 years.
The decision coincides with his 60th birthday and follows a 40-year career in the cruise industry.
Bastow originally formed CMV as Cruise & Maritime Services with Chris Coates in 1996.
He has been responsible for programming and itinerary planning as well as the onboard product offered on the company’s ships Marco Polo, Ocean Countess (pictured) and Discovery.
Bastow said: “I have been very fortunate to have experienced so much in the forty years since I started work at the Shaw Savill passenger office in London.
“However, the best moments certainly have been starting Cruise & Maritime from scratch and developing it into a viable alternative for those destination-oriented passengers that appreciate the more personalised smaller ship experience. We are all very proud of that.”
Coates added: “It has been a real privilege and pleasure working with Richard for the best part of 30 years when we first met at CTC Cruise Lines.
“Apart from being a valued and good friend Richard is a true professional and gentleman and one of the few remaining doyens of the UK passenger shipping industry.
“The launch of Cruise & Maritime Services back in 1996 was an exciting time and has evolved to become an impressive international three-ship operation which we are both very proud of.”