Azamara Club Cruises CEO Larry Pimental resigned on Wednesday (15 April), it has been reported.

The news comes following its parent company Royal Caribbean Ltd. having announced that it be significantly reducing its US workforce in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, which has greatly impacted the travel and cruise industries.

In a statement, the company said: “Earlier today, we told our employees the difficult news that we were laying off or furloughing approximately 26 per cent of our more than 5,000 coworkers in the US.

“We earlier announced the early conclusion of many crew contracts.

“The circumstances of the pandemic made this action unavoidable, and it hurts to part ways with so many good and talented people.”

Luxury cruise industry veteran Larry Pimentel was appointed president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises in July 2009, responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of the two-ship brand to ensure its continuous growth and success.

Pimentel has more than 25 years of travel industry experience catering to the high-end consumer. Prior to taking the helm at Azamara, he served as president, chief executive officer and co-owner of SeaDream Yacht Club.

Previously, he served as president and chief executive officer of Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. He also held the position of president and chief executive officer of Classic Hawaii.

Among Pimentel’s awards and accomplishments are being selected as one of the “25 most influential travel executives of America;” receiving the “2004 Leader in Luxury” award from Travel Agent magazine, and being named “1998 Travel Industry Executive of the Year” by World Travel Mart.

Pimental championed the unique concept of destination immersion at Azamara, which has since become a mainstay of the company’s philosophy.

Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain described Pimentel as “one of the finest minds and one of the very best people in the travel industry.

“He is an original thinker, an entrepreneur and someone whose informed, considered opinions helped raise the bar not only at Azamara but at RCL over the past 11 years. He’s also been a counselor and mentor to countless individuals across the company.”