Larry Pimentel steps down as President and CEO of Azamara

After more than a decade at the helm of Azamara, Larry Pimentel, has decided to step down as President & CEO of Azamara.

During a brutal day of layoffs in which Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced it is laying off or furloughing approximately 26 percent of its more than 5,000 coworkers in the US, Larry Pimentel, has decided to step down as President and CEO of Azamara.

Since he was appointed President and CEO of Azamara in July 2009, Larry Pimentel and his team have created a new niche of cruise travel distinguished by Destination Immersion experiences, meaning longer stays, more overnights and night touring in port cities around the world.

Over a three-decade career, Pimentel has built successful cruise lines and brands while accumulating a unique body of knowledge about affluent travelers and the experiences that appeal to them. Before joining Azamara, Pimentel was president and CEO of SeaDream Yacht Club, a privately held luxury yachting company. At Carnival Corp. he served as president and CEO of Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. He was previously president and CEO of Classic Hawaii, a tour operating company.

The cruise brands under Pimentel’s leadership have won dozens of “best in class” awards from discerning travelers. At Azamara, the up-market, 690-guest Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest and Azamara Pursuit have been recognized with best in class, best service, best overall experience and other awards from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards. The company also has won top honors from the UK Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards, including best overall, best dining, best service, best value-for-money and more.

As one of the travel industry’s most respected leaders in branding and luxury travel marketing, Pimentel has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement award from Cruise International, the 2017 AFAR Vanguard Award and selected as “one of the 25 most influential travel executives in America” and “global executive of the year.”

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