Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced several promotions within its sales team in a bid to demonstrate its commitment to the UK and Ireland as one of the line’s key international source markets

Gary Anslow has been named regional vice president and head of UK and Ireland, having joined NCL as senior sales director in November 2021.

In his new role, Anslow will continue to expand NCL’s localised presence and develop support for frontline agents in the region, reporting to Jason Krimmel, chief international sales and marketing officer for NCL.

Meanwhile, Kirsty Webb has been promoted to senior business development manager for the cruise specialist channel, and Chantelle White will become business development manager within the retail, homeworker and consortia channel.

Laura Croft has been promoted from regional sales executive to a new role as UK and Ireland travel partner training manager, focussing on the expansion of NCL’s product and brand training programme across the UK and Ireland trade.

To support that expansion, NCL will be adding two new field-based account executives to the sales team to enable further development of brand knowledge and awareness across the UK.

Agents remain ‘critical’ to Norwegian Cruise Line

Anslow said: “We now have 20 ships on sale, nine of which will be sailing in Europe this summer. With four more new Prima Plus Class ships arriving over the course of the next four years, we have a level of growth that represents a huge opportunity for us and for our agent partners.

“The trade has always been critical to our success, and we are excited to be expanding and developing our trade sales team to ensure we continue to develop our trade partner support.”

Krimmel added: “Over the last 12 months, I’ve spent time with many of our key travel agent partners team from the [UK], and it remains clear that this market continues to be one with tremendous growth opportunities – something we are supporting with these new.”

Last year, NCL announced plans to introduce more than 1,000 dedicated solo staterooms across its 19-ship fleet.