The heads of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings three brands have been handed extra responsibilities.
Andy Stuart, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, and Jason Montague, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises will add the title of chief executive to their expanded roles.
At the same time Bob Binder has assumed a new role as president and chief executive of Oceania Cruises. He was previously vice chairman of Oceania and Regent and president of Oceania.
The expanded roles see the trio oversee sales, marketing, passenger services and revenue management for each of their respective brands.
They will continue to drive the development of itineraries and the onboard product to ensure each line delivers on its brand promise and provides outstanding cruise vacations for guests, Norwegian said.
All three will continue to report directly to the company’s president and chief executive officer, Frank Del Rio. “One of Norwegian’s main strengths is the strong and deep bench of talent across our executive team,” said Del Rio.
“The focus and dedication that these leadership changes bring to each of our brands will further align our organisational structure with the unique needs of each brand and will enhance the overall performance of our company by creating even more exceptional vacation experiences across our fleets, strengthening our relationships with our travel partners and optimizing results to position the company for future growth.
“With Bob Binder, a co-founder of Oceania Cruises, we bring a uniquely qualified industry veteran to strengthen and grow the Oceania brand and further enhance its position as the leading upper-premium cruise line.
“We are also capitalising on the talents and contributions of two key executives, Andy Stuart and Jason Montague, with their expanded roles as chief executive officers within their respective brands.”
The changes coincided with NCL issuing its new brochure in the UK for sailings between November 2016 and April 2018, including the first departures from Southampton since 2010.
Newly refurbished Norwegian Jade will operate the no-fly cruises while the line’s second newest ship, Norwegian Getaway, will run Baltic Capitals cruises from Copenhagen.
This will bring the number of ships sailing in Europe during the summer to five.
Norwegian Epic will run seven-night western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, while Norwegian Star will be based in Venice, offering two alternative seven-night cruises.
Norwegian Spirit is sailing Europe year-round from Civitavecchia on new 10- and 11-night summer itineraries in the Mediterranean and from Barcelona to the Canary Islands and Madeira in the winter.
Norwegian Jade will offer 8- and 10-night Norwegian fjords cruises, two 14-night cruises to Norway, Iceland and the UK as well as an 11-night cruise around Britain and an 8-night Northern European cities cruise.
The ship will also run a number of cruises out of Hamburg, including two North Cape cruises. The vessel will leave the UK on September 25, 2017 for an 11-night cruise from Southampton to New York.
For the Southampton departures, passengers can opt to travel to the port by coach through a new collaboration with Eavesway which provides bus connections from multiple pick-up points throughout mainland UK. Preferential parking rates with ABParking are also on offer.
The new programme also includes a full winter season in Australia and New Zealand for Norwegian Jewel. San Juan as a seasonal homeport for Norwegian Dawn; Norwegian Pearl sails from New Orleans to the western Caribbean and a new western Caribbean itinerary from New York will be operated by Norwegian Breakaway.
Managing director Europe, Christian Boell, said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to the UK, bringing the newly refurbished Norwegian Jade to Southampton and offering our UK guests the option to travel there by coach or enjoy preferential parking rates.”