Leven, whose title was associate vice president and managing director, Royal Caribbean International (UK and Ireland), has taken the role of vice president, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and managing director of RCL Cruises.
Bouldin will report into Leven, and has assumed Leven’s former title. The recruitment process for his replacement has begun.
Leven’s new role includes responsibility for Royal Caribbean International (UK and Ireland) and Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises across the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa – excluding the UK.
The teams at Celebrity and Azamara will not be affected.
Leven will work with Royal Caribbean’s key European markets to ensure the cruise operator has “the best investment in place to capitalise on the swell of interest in cruise holidays across the region”.
Gavin Smith, senior vice president international, RCL Cruises, said: “Stuart is a proven leader with many years’ board experience across the airline, hotel and dotcom sectors.
“He joined us with a clear vision to build a distinct brand and attract a new audience to cruise. Royal Caribbean International in the UK and
Ireland has seen unprecedented growth under Stuart’s watch and his experience and expertise will be vital as we look to expand our European deployment.”
Leven said: “We’ve seen the European cruise market grow 111% in the last 10 years and there has been over $17 billion of investment.
“As a business, Royal Caribbean is known for driving the industry forwards through creative innovation, industry-leading cruise ships, and extraordinary experiences.
“We have a fantastic opportunity to realise our potential in Europe and I’m delighted to be at the helm ahead of such an exciting journey.”
Royal Caribbean said in Bouldin’s three years with the business he has “re-engineered and strengthened the UK and Ireland sales team, step changed the company’s approach to commercial incentivisation and launched the brand’s award-winning agent recognition programme ’Club Royal’”.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be leading the Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland business.
“It’s an incredible opportunity at an exciting time for the cruise market.
“We have an extraordinary team here in the UK and Ireland and I look forward to building on the work Stuart has started during his tenure.”
