Odell to take on China

NORWEGIAN Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has announced a revamp of its Asia-Pacific executive team, with regional chief Steve Odell to take on an expanded role overseeing the line’s development in China.

Odell’s position as senior vice president & managing director Asia Pacific will now involve responsibility for China operations, as well as the greater Asia Pacific region.

The addition coincides with the start of Norwegian Joy’s first full year sailing from Shanghai and comes two years after NCLH opened its first China offices.

Odell will be backed by Alex Xiang who has been promoted to the new role of managing director of China, while the previous president of Norwegian’s China operations in Shanghai, David Herrera, will return to Miami as senior vice president of strategy and corporate development.

Xiang has been a member of the China team since its launch, holding the position of vice president of sales.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Alex’s calibre to lead our operations in China,” said Harry Sommer, NCLH executive vp, int’l business development.

Odell, who is also the chairman of Cruise Lines International Association Australasia, joined NCLH in 2015 to launch the company’s Asia-Pacific headquarters in Sydney.

He has 30 years’ experience in the cruise industry, 17 of which have been in Asia.