Former travel agent Walter Littlejohn is to head Crystal River Cruises following the announcement of the departure of long serving executive Philip Ordever.
Littlejohn has 24 years of experience in the travel industry, most recently as vice president of AmaWaterways.
He co-founded his own travel agency at the start of his career, which he ran for 14 years.
Littlejohn takes up the position of vice president and managing director of the luxury line’s new river cruise arm on Monday June 6.
His arrival comes just over a month before the maiden voyage of Crystal’s first luxury river ship, Crystal Mozart, which will sail on the Danube River from Vienna on July 13.
Crystal River Cruises will see six additional luxury new builds over the next two years, beginning with river yachts Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler, Crystal Bach and Crystal Ravel in the summer of 2017.
President and chief executive, Edie Rodriguez, said: “Walter comes to Crystal at a pivotal time for Crystal River Cruises, and his wealth of expertise and driving spirit will certainly help ensure excellence during the launch of our river experiences and this period of extraordinary growth.”
Littlejohn will divide his time between the Miami branch office and the Crystal River Cruises’ headquarters in Amsterdam. He will report to Crystal chief operating officer Thomas Mazloum and senior vice president of marketing and sales Carmen Roig.