Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Senior Vice President and Managing Director Asia Pacific Steve Odell has been appointed as the new chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia.

Odell replaces Gavin Smith, who is relocating to the UK following his recent appointment to Senior Vice President International for Royal Caribbean.

Following its Annual General Meeting in Sydney today, CLIA has also welcomed three new members to its executive committee: Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison, Royal Caribbean Managing Director Australia & New Zealand Adam Armstrong and Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke.

With the executive committee now expanded to eight cruise line representatives, the new members join four existing committee members: Ponant Chairman Asia Pacific Sarina Bratton, Silversea Cruises General Manager Australasia Karen Christensen, MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Lynne Clarke and Travel the World’s Managing Director Andrew Millmore (GSA for Tauck).

Welcoming the new committee, CLIA Australasia Managing Director Neil Linwood thanked the outgoing members, Gavin Smith and Carnival Australia Executive Chairman Ann Sherry, for their efforts and paid tribute to Mr Smith for the time and dedication he had given to CLIA over five years, since he was first appointed chairman in 2011.