Norwegian Cruise Line has appointed Gary Anslow as senior sales director for UK and Ireland.

Anslow –  who has 25 years’ experience in travel and was most recently Cunard sales director – will start his role on 1 November 2021 and will “work on expanding NCL’s market share in the region, growing and retaining existing accounts, whilst acquiring new ones”, Norwegian Cruise Line said.

In the role, Anslow will report to Eamonn Ferrin, who was recently appointed vice-president of international sales.

Ferrin said: “We are thrilled to welcome Gary on board. He brings an impressive skillset and extensive senior-level experience in the travel industry, which will be instrumental toward NCL’s growth in the UK and Ireland.

“Gary has a proven track record of delivering high-value projects combined with longer-term strategic thinking. Having him lead our operations in one of our most important markets is a testament to our growth strategy.”

During his time at Cunard, Anslow sat on the sales and marketing leadership team and led the company’s UK and on-board sales, sales operations and trade marketing teams.

Anslow said: “I am delighted to be appointed senior sales director UK and Ireland at such an exciting time in NCL’s history with the introduction of the highly anticipated Prima class.

“Alongside my new team and loyal travel agents, I look forward to forging new relationships and strengthening the UK and Ireland’s position as one of the leading NCL markets outside of the US and Canada.”

Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced the restart of its seventh vessel, Norwegian Bliss, sailing to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. Overall, half of the fleet is now back in operation and additional ships are scheduled to restart in North America later in the year.

Norwegian Prima – the first in the line’s Prima class – is scheduled to launch in 2022.

A total of six Prima-class ships will launch over the coming years, taking NCL’s fleet to 23 ships by 2027.