Michelle Daniels has been put in charge of managing the cruise division at river specialist Light Blue Travel.
The move marks a return to the cruise sector for Daniels, who started her career at the Passenger Shipping Association and has worked for Island Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages and Voyage to Antiquity, where she rose to become head of commercial global.
She has been appointed UK and Europe commercial director UK & Europe at Light Blue Travel, the UK GSA for the American Queen Steamboat Company, Victory Cruise Lines and Nicko cruises.
Daniels joins from travel and media company Tripsmiths, where she was global head of sales.
She will be responsible at Cambridge-based Light But Travel for developing and implementing commercial strategies to grow cruise sales in the UK and across Europe and attract additional river cruise companies.
Managing director Rupert Thomson said: “I’m delighted that Michelle has joined the Light Blue Travel team at a pivotal, post pandemic time; she brings considerable commercial cruise experience which puts us in good stead to accelerate recovery and grow our cruise division.”
Daniels added: “I’m incredibly excited to have joined Rupert and the team at Light Blue Travel, especially at such a crucial time for the cruise industry as we start to see the gradual return to operation.
“I’m looking forward to working with many trade partners, old and new, and particularly thrilled to be working with some new, unique and fascinating specialist cruise line brands.”