Brennan Quesnele will be joining Oceania Cruises as the company’s new Senior Vice President of Sales. He is taking over from Nikki F. Upshaw, who left the company to pursue personal passions and priorities. Brennan will report directly to Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. Quesnele will officially become part of the Oceania Cruises family on February 24, 2025.
Brennan joins Oceania from the cruise line’s sister brand, Norwegian Cruise Line, where he served as Vice President of Strategic and National Accounts since July 2022. Before his time at Norwegian, Brennan held several senior leadership positions in sales, marketing, and product at Flight Centre Travel Group.
“I’m delighted to welcome Brennan to the Oceania Cruises family. He’s a fiercely passionate champion of travel advisors and brings the perfect blend of vision, strategy, and relationship management to our sales organization. I’m confident Brennan will make a tremendous impact as we welcome three new ships over the next four years,” stated Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises.
In his role as Senior Vice President of Sales, Brennan will oversee global sales strategies and partner relationships, with the Vice Presidents of Field Sales, Strategic Accounts, and International Sales – Tricia Wolf, Scott Kluesner, and Jason Worth – reporting directly to him.
“Joining Oceania Cruises, a world-class brand that I am so deeply passionate about, both personally and professionally, is humbling. I can’t wait to begin collaborating with our outstanding sales team, showcasing the Oceania Cruises experience to new-to-brand travel advisors, and engaging with our most ardent and loyal partners to take our relationships to new heights,” said Quesnele.
Oceania Cruises is entering a remarkable period of growth, including the addition of three new ships over the next four years. The first ship to be delivered is Allura, the second vessel in the Allura class, following the Vista. With a gross tonnage of 67,817 tons and a length of 251 meters, the luxury ship will accommodate 1,200 passengers.
Onboard, guests can enjoy an intimate and luxurious cruise experience characterized by The Finest Cuisine at Sea, with a range of culinary options, from casual to fine dining. In addition to beloved classics, the Allura introduces three new dining venues: the Ember specialty restaurant, Aquamar Kitchen, and The Bakery at Baristas.
The maiden voyage of the Allura is scheduled for June 8, 2025, with a seven-day voyage from Athens to Istanbul. During its inaugural season, the ship will visit various destinations in the Mediterranean, including Cadiz, Cagliari, Messina, Palma de Mallorca, Palermo, and Cinque Terre. Overnight stays are planned in cities such as Istanbul and Monte Carlo. After the summer season in the Mediterranean, the ship will head to North America for cruises in Canada and New England, followed by a winter season in the Caribbean with Miami as its home port.