NCL Corporation (NCL) today announced the promotion of Francis Riley to the newly created position of Vice President of International Business Development. Riley has served as the General Manager of NCL’s UK office since 2005 and has overseen the launch of three new Freestyle Cruising ships in the UK. During his tenure, he has been responsible for doubling the number of UK guests for NCL. Riley, who joined NCL in 2004 as sales director, will report to Andy Stuart, NCL’s Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Passenger Services.
In his new role, Riley will relocate to NCL’s headquarters in Miami, where he will be responsible for business development outside of the United States and Canada, including responsibility for the company’s offices in the UK and Continental Europe. His position has been created to continue NCL’s rapid expansion outside of North America that will accelerate in 2008 with the first ever dedicated sailings for the UK market out of Southampton aboard Norwegian Jade and the largest NCL European deployment ever.
Stephen Park will return to NCL as the UK General Manager on September 3, 2007. Park was formerly with NCL as the head of the UK business. He spent the last two years as Senior Vice President of European Sales for Kerzner International Ltd., where he gained valuable experience. He will report to Francis Riley in his new capacity in Miami.
“International business has become and will continue to be increasingly important for us as we expand our European-based capacity. It gives me great pleasure to promote Francis into this new role, which will bring increased focus to this important segment of our business,” Stuart said. “I am also pleased to welcome Stephen back to NCL. In 2008, we are dedicating a number of sailings of Norwegian Jade to the UK market so Stephen returns at a pivotal time as we expect to move into the fastest period of UK growth in the company’s history.”
“I look forward to my new role with the company as we continue to build our international business,” Riley said. “I’m personally delighted to welcome Stephen back at this very exciting time in our development. Stephen’s knowledge of the business means he can step right back into the driver’s seat.”
NCL Corporation Ltd. is an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a fleet of 14 ships in service and under construction. The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, and Orient Lines. The company recently took delivery of its newest ship, Norwegian Pearl, and is currently building Norwegian Gem for delivery in October of 2007. In addition, NCL plans to build up to three new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery between 2009 and 2011.
NCL is on target to have the youngest fleet in the industry by the end of 2007 with the introduction of Norwegian Gem, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.
For high resolution, downloadable images, please log onto NCL’s website at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on NCL Corporation, contact a travel agent or NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 327-7030.
