Speakers

We are thrilled to have senior industry speakers joining us for a high-level panel session on board Ambassador Ambience.

Christian Verhounig, Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Cruise Line

Christian has almost 30 years’ experience in the cruise industry, starting his career working on a cruise ship and rising through the ranks before working in various senior management positions.

Adele Fitzpatrick-Foster, Senior Manager of Events & Trade, CLIA

Adele has a love for all things travel and cruise has kept her in the industry for almost 30 years!

CLIA is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community.

Aaron Langford,
Senior Sales Director, UK & Ireland, Royal Caribbean International

Aaron leads Royal Caribbean International’s dynamic and driven sales teams across the UK & Ireland. His now 16-year career with Royal Caribbean Group has seen him successfully navigate roles across multiple brands and regions including the UK, US and China.

Eithne Williamson,
Vice President, Princess Cruises

Eithne Williamson is the vice president of Princess Cruises UK and Europe, responsible for leading the sales and commercial functions, as well as marketing communications and guest services.

Elle Sagar,
Cruise Reporter, Travel Weekly

Ella Sagar studied French and Spanish at the University of Leeds and has worked as a journalist since 2021, most recently at the trade publication The Media Leader. She joined Travel Weekly this year as cruise reporter.

Harry Kemble,
Cruise Editor, TTG Media

Harry Kemble entered the travel industry in 2017 when he joined Travel Weekly as a cruise reporter. Funnily enough, his first-ever event as cruise reporter was the Advantage Cruise Conference on P&O Cruises’ Britannia seven years ago. Just over a year ago, Harry joined the award-winning TTG Media and took up the newly created role of cruise editor which gives him more time to grill cruise bosses and industry leaders while also crucially spending more time on ships.

Jamie Loizou,
Managing Director, AmaWaterways

Having spent his career in the travel industry and the last 20 years working in the cruise sector, Jamie Loizou has a wealth of experience on both the operator and agency side.

Joanna Kolatsis,
Founding Director, Themis Advisory

Themis Advisory is a business affairs and strategic advisory consultancy, following over 20 years providing legal services to the travel and aviation industries.

Joanna was appointed as UK Legal Counsel to Advantage Travel Partnership in August 2018.

John Sullivan,
Commercial Director, The Advantage Travel Partnership

John oversees the commercial team who manage in excess of 150 partners, including tour operators, airlines and ancillary products. John and his team are focused on ensuring that Advantage members have best in class commercial partnerships and the latest product opportunities.

Jonny Peat,
Senior Commercial manager - Cruise, The Advantage Travel Partnership

Jonny looks after the ‘Latitude’ Cruise product community, members of which receive support for the business in driving cruise business, with a focus on the ‘yet to cruise’ market.

Kelly Cookes,
Chief Commercial Officer, The Advantage Travel Partnership

Kelly joined Advantage in 2019 as Leisure Director and became Chief Commercial Officer in early 2022. Within this role, Kelly focuses on leveraging the Group’s global buying power and drives improved commercial benefits across the Partnership by identifying opportunities to further develop member products and services for the membership. Alongside this, Kelly also strives to maximise membership recruitment and retention.

Linsey McNeill,
Journalist, Travel Gossip

Linsey McNeill is an experienced journalist, who has been reporting on the travel industry for more than three decades. She has written for many national publications, including The Observer, The Times, The Telegraph and Which? Travel, and is currently co-editor of the travel trade publication, Travel Gossip

Louise Craddock,
Director of Sales UK & Ireland at Oceania Cruises

Louise Craddock has more than 25 years of experience in the cruise industry, holding positions in both the USA and the UK in her cruise career.
She's been with Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, for the past 12 years, and is currently Director of Sales UK & Ireland, a role she's held since late 2021.

Louise oversees a team of six dedicated staff in the UK and is committed to growing the reach of the cruise line by welcoming new agents and ensuring all current partners have the tools needed to grow their sales as Oceania Cruises prepares to welcome its eighth ship, Allura, to its fleet in July 2025.

In her spare time, Louise enjoys spending time with family and friends in her Dorset home, travelling, and of course, enjoying great food and fine wine.

Marco Macchieraldo,
Senior Product Manager Paramount Cruises

Marco joined Paramount Cruises in 2019 and curates the agency's Cruise & Stay product offering, while also regularly escorting some of the larger group packages including select Grand Prix cruise holidays. Working closely with cruise lines, tourist boards, and DMCs, Paramount Cruises specialises in long-haul, tailor-made packages across the world.

Mel White,
Director, White's Travel

Having started in the travel industry as YTS at 16, Mel has worked consistently in travel sales within the luxury tailored made sector.

Now the owner of 2 lovely independent travel agencies in East Yorkshire, along with her husband Ian, they work with a fantastic team of knowledgeable agents.

Still on the counter, Mel’s life goal is making sure her and the team are working towards the main goal of helping build clients holidays giving them long lasting memories.

Olivia Cairns,
Cruise Specialist, Creative Travel Co

Olivia has been with Creative Travel for only just 1.5 years and has lead the cruising side of the business. This has involved building a wealth of knowledge, marketing the cruise product and building strong relationships with all relevant suppliers in order to provide the best for her customers.

Peter Shanks,
Managing Director for the UK, Ireland, Middle East and Africa, Silversea

Throughout his 30+ years in the travel industry, Peter has worked for Cosmos Holidays, Thomas Cook, Going Places, Cunard and Imagine Cruising.