Oceania strengthens NA sales leadership with two key appointments

Oceania Cruises is strengthening its North America sales leadership team with the appointment of a new senior sales executive and the creation of a new role focused on travel advisor partnerships.

The luxury cruise line announced that Alicia Steuart has joined the company as senior director of sales, while longtime executive Michael von Wittenau has been appointed senior director of national accounts and partner engagement, a newly-created position designed to deepen relationships with travel advisors and key trade partners.

Steuart joins Oceania after more than 26 years with Carnival Cruise Line, where she most recently served as senior sales director, strategic partnerships.

In that role, she oversaw relationships with major host agencies, online travel agencies, consortia and other key trade partners.

At Oceania, Steuart will lead the company's team of business development managers across the United States and Canada, overseeing frontline field sales efforts.

She will report to Tricia Wolf, vice president of sales for North America.

Meanwhile, von Wittenau, who has spent more than a decade with Oceania, will take on responsibility for the company's consortia partnerships, industry associations, advisor engagement and training initiatives.

The newly-created position reflects the cruise line's continued investment in strengthening its relationships with travel advisors and enhancing the support it provides to the trade, reads a press release.

Before joining Oceania Cruises, von Wittenau held positions with Signature Travel Network and Crystal Cruises.

He will report to Emily Loewy, vice president of sales strategy and operations.

“We are committed to being the cruise line of choice for our travel partners,” said Nathan Hickman, senior vice president and chief sales officer of Oceania, in a statement. 

“From meaningful enhancements that improve advisor earnings to the continued strengthening of our sales organization, every decision we make is grounded in bolstering our partnerships.”

“Alicia and Michael bring deep experience, strong leadership and a proven track record of delivering results for both their teams and their partners. Along with Tricia Wolf, Emily Loewy and Joe Eastep, Senior Director Business Development, I am incredibly confident in the leadership team we have in place.”

Hickman went on to say that the appointments ensure the company is well positioned to support its growing network of travel partners.

“With dedicated leadership across field sales, national accounts, partner engagement, sales strategy and operations, the team will continue to provide advisors with accessible support, strategic resources and meaningful opportunities to grow their businesses with Oceania Cruises,” said Hickman.

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