Norwegian promotes John Chernesky to SVP & chief sales officer

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has promoted John Chernesky to senior vice president and chief sales officer, overseeing global trade sales and consumer sales.

Chernesky’s expanded role reinforces NCL’s commitment to the travel advisor community, a throughline from when he first joined in 2023 and the brand’s sustained Partners First investments, the company said in a press release.

With more than 30 years of cruise industry experience and a reputation for championing travel partners, Chernesky’s role is expanding to unite the brand’s worldwide sales organizations, streamline strategy, drive greater efficiency and maximize future potential—especially as NCL grows capacity and investes in private destinations, like Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize.

“John has been instrumental in positioning NCL as the partner of choice since joining the company in 2023, and this expanded role will further accelerate our momentum,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, in a statement. “Bringing our sales organizations even closer together—while delivering meaningful wins for advisors—sets us up for strong, sustainable growth as we enter our next era.”

Ahead of the 15-year anniversary of Partners First, NCL’s longstanding program to support travel advisors with resources, marketing tools and initiatives that fuel their success, the company is launching new efforts that demonstrate its continued commitment to their growth.

Late last year, NCL announced the elimination of non-commissionable fares (NCFs) on reservations booked on or after Dec. 26, 2025, for sailings beginning May 1, 2026—a highly celebrated initiative that creates more earning potential for travel partners and underscores the Company’s ongoing investment in their success.

In addition, Feb. 1, 2026 marks the highly anticipated return of Free at Sea Plus, offering guests unlimited Starbucks beverages, unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, wine and Champagne from NCL’s signature collection, bottled water, a 50 per cent discount on any additional specialty dining cover charges, and unlimited open bar at Great Stirrup Cay.

This package is also commissionable and inclusive of prepaid gratuities.

“I’m honoured to step into this expanded role at such a pivotal moment for NCL,” said Chernesky. “Our global sales teams and travel partners are the backbone of our success, and I’m excited to bring our efforts even closer together to fuel our growth.”

“The elimination of NCFs and the return of the commissionable Free at Sea Plus package are just a few ways we’re demonstrating the value we see in our partners. As our capacity increases, we have an enormous opportunity to further align our sales efforts across the globe. We want to continue being the easiest cruise line to do business with—and I am energized for what’s ahead.”

Supporting Chernesky’s sales organization is Jason Krimmel, VP and chief international sales and marketing officer, overseeing trade sales and marketing efforts outside of U.S. and Canada; Michael Tomoleoni, VP and chief consumer sales officer, responsible for NCL’s consumer sales organization; as well as a yet-to-be-appointed leader overseeing domestic trade sales.

Chernesky joined NCL in 2023 as senior vice president of North America sales, responsible for the overall trade sales strategy for the U.S. and Canada.

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