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When the luxury cruise market is booming, the smart operators don’t stand still.

They reorganise.

That’s exactly what Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have done this week, unveiling a refreshed global leadership structure designed to strengthen their relationship with travel advisors and position both brands for the next wave of growth in luxury and ultra-luxury cruising.

Jason Montague Continues To Serve As Chief Luxury Officer For Oceania Cruises And Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

The move may read like a corporate reshuffle on paper, but in practice it signals something bigger: the two cruise brands are preparing for a decade of expansion that will bring new ships, new markets, and, importantly, new opportunities for the travel trade.

At the helm of the strategy remains Jason Montague, who continues as Chief Luxury Officer overseeing both cruise lines.

Montague has spent years shaping the direction of the two brands, and, judging by recent booking momentum, the strategy appears to be working.

Now he has a reinforced leadership team around him.

Regent gets a new president

One of the most notable appointments is Wesley D’Silva, who steps into the role of President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

D’Silva will report directly to Montague and will focus on driving the ultra-luxury brand’s global growth.

Regent, long regarded as one of the most exclusive names in cruising, has been enjoying a particularly strong run of bookings as high-end travellers continue to return to the oceans.

In January alone, the brand recorded the most successful booking month in its history.

Not a bad way to start the year.

Sales leadership strengthened

At the same time, the companies have appointed two new global sales leaders.

Nathan Hickman becomes Chief Sales Officer for Oceania Cruises, while Shawn Tubman takes on the same role for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Nathan Hickman Chief Sales Officer, Oceania Cruises

Both executives will oversee global sales strategy, trade engagement and market development across international regions.

Hickman will report to Montague, while Tubman reports to D’Silva.

And in an industry where travel advisors remain the backbone of luxury cruise distribution, the message from leadership is clear: the trade remains front and centre.

Montague said the changes are designed to strengthen that relationship.

“I am delighted to congratulate Wesley, Nathan, and Shawn, as they step into these important new roles,” Montague said.

“Each of them brings extraordinary expertise and experience as we build on a remarkable period of performance for both Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.”

He added that the leadership changes will allow the brands to move faster as demand grows.

“This strengthened leadership structure positions us to accelerate our strategic plans to take both brands to new heights and support our Travel Advisor community with even greater focus. Travel Advisors are integral to our success, and these organisational changes reflect our unwavering commitment to creating even more opportunity within the luxury and ultra-luxury cruise segments.”

Shawn Tubman Chief Sales Officer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Global sales network aligned

As part of the restructure, the cruise lines have aligned their global sales teams under the two new chief sales officers.

Several well-known names across the industry will continue to lead regional markets, including:

Brennan Quesnele, Senior Vice President, North America Sales & Trade Marketing, Oceania Cruises
Jerod Evans, Vice President, North America Sales, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Melaine Diaz, Vice President Sales Strategy & Trade Marketing, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Paul Beale, Vice President UK & Ireland Sales for both brands
Gabriella Fonzo, Senior Director, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa Sales
Lisa Pile, Vice President Sales and General Manager APAC
Frank Medina, Vice President LATAM & Brazil Sales

In the Asia-Pacific market, Lisa Pile’s continued leadership ensures the region remains firmly on the radar for future growth.

Luxury cruising has been gaining traction across Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region, with travellers increasingly seeking smaller ships, immersive itineraries and high-end onboard experiences.

In other words, exactly the kind of voyages Oceania and Regent specialise in.

Industry veteran steps into ambassador role

Another familiar face will remain close to the business.

Steve Odell

Veteran cruise executive Steve Odell, long considered one of the most respected commercial leaders in the industry, will move into an ambassador role supporting both brands.

Montague welcomed the continuation of Odell’s involvement.

“Steve is a well-known, much-loved, and highly accomplished sales professional in the luxury travel industry, and we couldn’t be happier that he has agreed to continue his connection with our brands.”

For many travel advisors, Odell has been a trusted industry figure for decades.

Keeping him in the fold is unlikely to disappoint the trade.

New ships on the horizon

Leadership changes rarely happen in isolation.

In this case, they coincide with a major pipeline of new ships for both cruise lines.

Oceania Cruises recently celebrated a record-breaking opening day for its newest vessel, Oceania Sonata™, and the brand has an ambitious shipbuilding program ahead.

Five Sonata Class ships are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2037.

Meanwhile, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is preparing to introduce Seven Seas Prestige® later this year.

The ship marks the brand’s first new class in more than a decade and is the first of four vessels planned in the Prestige series.

Additional ships are scheduled to arrive in 2030, 2033 and 2036.

Luxury cruising’s next decade

Taken together, the leadership appointments and fleet expansion tell a very clear story.

Luxury cruising isn’t slowing down.

If anything, it’s entering its most ambitious phase yet.

And with the travel trade continuing to play a central role in selling high-end voyages, Oceania and Regent appear determined to ensure their leadership structure is just as polished as the suites on board their ships.