by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 5:05 PM ET, Tue August 18, 2026
From left: Ruth Fernandez, Business Development Manager, Key Accounts, Western USA & Canada; Florentina Florescu, Business Development Manager, Key Accounts, Northeast Region; and Ian O’Ryan, Business Development Manager, Key Accounts, Southeast Region. (Photo Credit: Cunard)
WHY IT RATES: Cunard is making strategic personnel moves in North America.—Sarah Kuta, TravelPulse writer
Cunard is strengthening its North America sales organization with three new appointments, bringing extensive regional and industry expertise to support travel advisors and key accounts across the Northeast, Southeast, Western U.S. and Canada.
Ruth Fernandez has been promoted to Business Development Manager, Key Accounts, Western USA & Canada. She began transitioning into the position on July 6 and is expected to complete the transition by the end of August. Fernandez brings more than 20 years of travel industry experience. Prior to her promotion, she spent 3 years leading Cunard’s Partner Support team, overseeing Reservations, World Club, Military Benefits and Stockholder Benefits programs.
Florentina Florescu joins Cunard as Business Development Manager, Key Accounts, Northeast Region. She brings more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry, spanning luxury travel planning and sales across both the U.S. and Europe, and has previously held sales positions at Alex + Roberts, Star Clippers and Kuoni Group Travel Experts.
Ian O’Ryan joins Cunard as Business Development Manager, Key Accounts, Southeast Region, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry, across sales, business development and strategic account management. He has held roles with Rocky Mountaineer, Oceania Cruises, MSC Cruises and Expedia Group, where he built strong industry partnerships and helped drive commercial growth.
In their respective territories, each new Business Development Manager will focus on strengthening relationships with travel advisors, consortia and key accounts, providing strategic support to trade partners and driving awareness and sales growth for Cunard's iconic luxury voyages. The team’s expansion underscores the importance of trade partners to Cunard’s business and the company’s continued commitment to providing travel advisors across North America with dedicated regional support.
“Travel advisors are central to Cunard’s continued growth in North America,” said Liz Fettes, Senior Vice President, Commercial North America. “Florentina, Ruth and Ian bring deep industry experience and a relationship-driven approach that will help us strengthen our valued trade partnerships and ensure advisors across North America have the support they need to grow their Cunard business.”
The appointments come as Cunard continued to see increased demand following Queen Elizabeth’s North America residency and ahead of her upcoming year in Europe beginning in Winter 2027. They underscore the importance of valued trade partners to Cunard’s business and the company’s continued commitment to providing travel advisors across North America with dedicated regional support.
Continued Investment in Partner Support
Alongside the regional appointments, Cunard is also continuing to invest in its dedicated Partner Support team, with plans in place to expand the team further in order to effectively develop new accounts and provide personalized guidance to new-to-Cunard travel advisors.
Partner Support assists advisors with sales development, brand education, marketing and the booking process. The team works closely with field-based Business Development Managers to provide continued support as advisors grow their Cunard business.
Travel Advisors interested in further information on Cunard voyages, please contact your Business Development Manager, visit OneSourceCruises.com, or call Cunard at 1-800-528-6273.
SOURCE: Cunard press release
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