Viva Cruises Expands North America Team With Ghannadin and Weldon – Cruise Maven
Viva Cruises is making a big move in North America. The European river cruise line just announced two key hires for its U.S. leadership team.
Viva Cruises Adds Two Industry Veterans to Its North American Team
Both appointments take effect on July 1, 2026. The new hires will focus on growing the brand’s presence in the U.S. and building stronger relationships with travel advisors.
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Viva Cruises co-founder and CEO Andrea Kruse expressed her excitement about the additions. “I’m confident that this talented group will help us accelerate our growth, strengthen our presence, and truly inspire the North American market with everything Viva Cruises and Viva Boutique have to offer.”
Meet the New VP of Sales and Marketing: Nasim Ghannadian
Nasim Ghannadian joins Viva Cruises as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for North America. Her main job will be to grow the brand’s reach, build travel advisor partnerships, and boost guest engagement.
She brings over 22 years of experience in the cruise and tourism industries. She has held leadership roles at some well-known names, including Carnival Cruise Line, Viking Cruises, and American Queen Voyages. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Vantage Explorations.
Ghannadian is clearly excited about her new role. “I am thrilled to join Viva Cruises and be part of a company that is redefining the river cruise experience through innovation, exceptional service, and a strong commitment to its guests and travel advisor partners,” she said. “With North America representing an exciting growth opportunity, I look forward to building on Viva’s momentum, strengthening industry relationships, and helping introduce more travelers to the unique experiences that make Viva Cruises so special.”
Michael Weldon Steps In as Senior Director of National Accounts
Michael Weldon joins as Senior Director of National Accounts. He is a cruise industry veteran with a career that stretches back to 2003.
Over the years, Weldon has worked with several major cruise brands. His resume includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking Cruises, American Cruise Line, and AmaWaterways. Most recently, he served as Director of National, Key, and Strategic Accounts at Hurtigruten Expeditions.
Weldon’s enthusiasm for river cruising comes through clearly. “I am beyond excited to join Viva Cruises,” he said. “My passion is river cruising, and this brand is really a hidden gem. You may not know that much about us today…but tomorrow you will!”
Why This Matters for River Cruise Fans
Viva Cruises has been a popular choice in Europe but is still growing its name recognition in the U.S. market. Adding two experienced leaders with deep industry ties could change that quickly.
If you’ve been curious about European river cruising, Viva Cruises is worth putting on your radar. With this new team in place, American travelers may soon be hearing a lot more about what this line has to offer.
