Celestyal Cruises’ CEO Takes up CLIA Europe’s helm

November 2, 2016 – The CLIA Europe General Assembly, at its recent meeting, has voted to appoint Kyriakos Anastassiadis, CEO of Celestyal Cruises, as the next CLIA Europe Chairman. First appointed to the European Executive Committee of the Cruise Lines International Association three years ago, Anastassiadis takes over the role from Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, who has been the organisation’s chairman for the last three years. Anastassiadis takes on the crucial role of representing the views of the smaller CLIA Europe Cruise Line Members like Celestyal, as well as all of its other members when he takes up the role on 1 January 2017. The members of CLIA Europe’s General Assembly also unanimously thanked Pierfrancesco Vago for the work he has undertaken over the last three years and asked him to remain on the organisation’s board. The remaining members of the Executive Committee, as confirmed by the General Assembly, are: David Dingle, Chairman of Carnival UK and CLIA Europe Vice Chairman; Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Chairman of Silversea Cruises; Gavin Smith, Senior Vice President International, Royal Caribbean; Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group and Pierfrancesco Vago. Anastassiadis, CEO of Celestyal Cruises, said: “I feel honoured and humbled by the General Assembly’s decision to trust me as CLIA Europe Chair and I look forward to continuing the work and effectiveness of CLIA Europe in representing all of its Members and ensuring the future success of the cruise industry. We have an effective team of professionals working at CLIA and are developing a stronger presence in Europe. I remain fully committed to matching my peers’ trust with my outmost dedication during the upcoming years.” Raphael von Heereman, Secretary General of CLIA Europe, said: “I would like to welcome the appointment of Kyriakos and I look forward to working with him. I also thank Pierfrancesco for his restless support and help in expanding our effectiveness in Brussels and other European capitals, in terms of government affairs, communication and business development. As a result, we have notably increased the value that we bring to our Cruise Line Members and Executive Partners.”