Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced that John Chernesky will succeed Todd Hamilton as the brand’s senior vice president of sales for North America. The latter will step into a new strategic role, senior vice president of new ventures at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), the parent company for the NCL, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands.
Cruise industry veteran Chernesky joins NCL on the heels of a record-breaking start to 2023 as the brand began the year in a better booked position than ever before. Chernesky, who has a reputation of championing the role travel partners play in the success of the cruise industry, as well as the guest experience, will be responsible for the brand’s overall trade sales strategy across U.S. and Canada, under the leadership of newly appointed NCL President David Herrera.
In his new role, Chernesky will reinforce NCL’s “Partners First” philosophy of investing in and supporting the travel advisor community through educational tools, marketing support and access to programs and opportunities that empower travel advisors to maximize their earning potential. Last year, the brand introduced a policy of paying commission on non-commissionable fares. The program was well received with an outstanding number of advisors submitting their marketing plans. Additionally, the brand recently updated its commission tier structure offering advisors the opportunity to advance commission tiers more quickly based on net bookings or booked revenue.
Chernesky’s 30-year career spans multiple disciplines and various leadership roles across the cruise industry. His experience includes sales and trade marketing to hotel operations, onboard revenue, business development, new-build design development and passenger programs, with a proven track record of implementing and executing solutions and programs that drive sales and increase guest satisfaction ratings.
As NCLH’s newly appointed senior vice president of new ventures, Hamilton will be responsible for new strategic business developments and will work closely with the NCLH executive team to deliver on the company’s priorities.
For more information, visit www.ncl.com.
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