Ambassador Cruise Line has reinforced its distribution team to ensure it has the right commercial structure in place to drive day-to-day trading, enhance third party relationships and offer the very best guest service in the industry.
For example, Ryan Readman (pictured) joined the cruise line as Business Development Manager, Trade Sales on 3rd April.
He came from The Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises, where he was Trade Support Executive.
With over 12 years’ experience in the travel industry, he studied Tourism Management at Manchester Metropolitan University, and worked in overseas roles at Walt Disney World Resort and Thomas Cook before moving into management at Contiki Holidays, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises.
With responsibility for the North West, Midlands and South West, Readman will report into Ambassador’s Divisional Sales Managers, Louise Tansey and Karen Cameron.
Ambassador has also confirmed the promotion of Andrew Santry to Business Development Executive in the Trade Team.
Santry joined Ambassador in September, 2022, and will move over from his current role as Senior Reservations Specialist in the Contact Centre. He will start his new position on 24th April, also reporting to the Divisional Sales Managers.
Nicola Harper, Ambassador’s Head of Distribution, said: “I am delighted to welcome Ryan to Ambassador and confirm Andrew’s well-deserved promotion as we look to further enhance the Trade Team function at Ambassador.
“Our valued trade partners are key to our success, and we are dedicated to supporting them in the best way we can by supplying them with all the support and tools they need.
“The Trade Team is key to this, and the expansion of the team will ensure we are able to engage with our trade partners on another level with more store visits, trainings and ship visits than ever before,” she said.
Ambassador also announced that Katie O’Doherty was promoted to the role of Reservations Assistant Manager in its Contact Centre.
She is joined by two new Reservations Specialists in the Contact Centre team. Michelle Shields, who has over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry working for Thomas Cook and, more recently Spear Travel, will join the business on 19th April, while Rebecca Dedman will join the company on 24th April.
Harper continued: “We understand that agents, trade partners and direct guests need quick and efficient service when calling our Contact Centre, and these new appointments will ensure that our industry-leading, short-wait times are maintained as the Ambassador brand continues to go from strength to strength.”
Following these changes, Ambassador has two open roles remaining within its Trade Team – Business Development Manager for Groups and Business Development Manager for the North.
Following the introduction of a comprehensive ship visit programme and recent agent incentive, Ambassador also said that it is working on launching new trade initiatives in the near future.
