Anglo-Eastern has announced further developments in its cruise and leisure business with a new office in Miami and the joining of Neil McNeil as Managing Director of Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management International (AECMI) and Frits van der Werff as Vice President of Commercial, Cruise and Leisure Management.

Having acquired the Cruise Management International Group at the end of 2022, Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management Inc. (AECMI) and Anglo-Eastern Leisure Management (AELM) are now fully integrated into Anglo-Eastern’s eco-system, and the Group is now ready to drive the combined entity forward, having undergone advanced knowledge transfers across the business, the company said in a press release.

The company also said that the relocation of its Miami office to a new, modern space near the Blue Lagoon area, just a short distance from Miami Airport is a strategic move that underscores Anglo-Eastern’s commitment to the cruise industry and its mission to better serve both existing and future clients in the Americas and across the globe.

There are also two key executive hires.

Neil McNeil has recently been appointed as managingdirector at AECMI. He sailed professionally on ferries and roll-on/roll-off passenger vessels (ROPAX) since 1998 before transitioning to the cruise sector in 2006. With over two decades of leadership experience across multiple companies in the maritime and cruise sectors in the United States, McNeil is well-positioned to lead Anglo-Eastern’s growing cruise management portfolio.

Frits van der Werff, a dynamic leader in the cruise industry, has been named vice president of commercial at Anglo-Eastern’s cruise and leisure division. Having held executive positions in both the cruise and hotel sectors, van der Werff brings nearly two decades of leadership experience blended from major cruise lines and hospitality brands, with a strong focus on cruise operations and client relationships.

Carsten Ostenfeldt, chief operating officer at Anglo-Eastern, said: “The strategic moves underscore our commitment to the cruise sector and further solidify Anglo-Eastern’s position as a trusted partner in providing world-class services with economies of scale to like-minded clients. We are confident that Anglo-Eastern is uniquely positioned to consistently expand and strengthen our presence in the cruise sector.”

Dietmar Wertanzl, president and CEO, at AELM, added: “I’m delighted to work alongside Neil, whose extensive experience makes him an invaluable asset to the Anglo-Eastern team. I am also eager to collaborate with Frits in his new role. Having known Frits for quite some time, I am confident that he will bring valuable insights from his solid experience in the cruise industry, combined with his innovative approach in creating value for our clients.”

Photo: From left: Frits van der Werff and Neil McNeil