Luxury cruise veteran, Larry Pimentel, has taken on an interim advisory role for Virtuoso‘s cruise program as the global luxury travel network readies to appoint a new Vice President, Global Cruise Sales, LATTE can reveal.

Pimentel’s appointment follows the recent departure of Melissa Araya from the role at the end of 2024. Araya had been with Virtuoso for three years.

The highly-regarded Pimentel has 30+ years’ travel and cruise experience and was the former CEO of cruise brands including Azamara Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club and most recently, he was the founding President/CEO of Four Seasons Yachts before standing down in February 2024.

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Pimentel is a Virtuoso Board Member and has consulted for firms including Ernst & Young Hospitality Consulting and Bain & Company.

“His expertise and guidance will be invaluable to both our executive and cruise teams,” Virtuoso said in a memo to travel partners overnight.

Cory Hagopian, Senior Vice President of Global Member & Partner Sales for Virtuoso said, “Larry is renowned in the industry for his strategic vision and unwavering focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences.”

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have him advising us while we search for the ideal candidate to lead our cruise program long-term.

“Larry will be engaging with our cruise partners, committee members, top producers, and the Virtuoso Team to help us better understand how we can meet the needs of our Partners, Advisors, and clients, and we look forward to his insights,” Hagopian added.