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With Nikki Upshaw's exit, Del Rio takes on Oceania sales oversightWith Nikki Upshaw's exit, Del Rio takes on Oceania sales oversight

Upshaw left to pursue personal passions after '14 incredible years' with the cruise line and creating 'one of the best sales organizations in the business.'

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

January 15, 2025

2 Min Read
Nikki Upshaw with Frank A. Del Rio aboard Oceania Cruises' Vista in Monte Carlo PHOTO: ANNE KALOSH

Nikki Upshaw, who stepped down as SVP global sales at Oceania Cruises, is being hailed as a 'tireless champion' of travel advisors and an 'absolute legend in this business.'

President Frank A. Del Rio saluted her '14 incredible years' at Oceania, adding she's now going 'to pursue her personal passions and priorities.'

No successor named

The line hasn't named a successor, and sales leaders will report to Del Rio for the interim period.

When Del Rio, a founding member of the Oceania Cruises team from 2003 to 2017, returned in March 2022, it was as chief sales and marketing officer before his promotion to president in December that year.

'Frank relishes his time in that role as sales and the relationships with our partners are a major focus of his,' an Oceania Cruises spokesman said.

Upshaw had joined Oceania in 2011 as VP sales and advanced to SVP then, in 2023, to SVP global sales. Senior sales roles before Oceania were at The World, Residences at Sea; e-Cruise, Seabourn, Cunard and Royal Viking Line.

Amazing career

'Nikki’s amazing career in the travel industry spans nearly four decades, and she has been a tireless champion of travel and travel advisors,' Del Rio said in a note to trade partners. 'Nikki leaves us with some of the strongest and most vibrant relationships in the industry.

'Nikki also leaves us, and you, with an incredibly strong and accomplished sales team that includes our global sales leaders — Jason Worth, VP international sales; Tricia Wolf, VP field sales; and Scott Kluesner, VP strategic accounts — who will continue to work with you and build upon our many mutual successes.'

Del Rio added: 'I look forward to building on the strong partnerships Nikki has built and working directly with all of you in the coming year.'

One of the best sales organizations

Alex Sharpe, president/CEO, Signature Travel Network, called Upshaw an 'absolute legend in this business.

'Her efforts at Oceania created one of the best sales organizations in the business and an incredible partner.

'Because of the work she has put in and the remaining team, I am very confident in our path forward,' Sharpe continued. 'Having Frank more intimately involved in the business is a plus.'

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While Sharpe has known Del Rio for years, he said 'Some on the agency side are just getting to know him better, and folks love his candor and approach to partnership.'

Sharpe added: 'We'll all miss Nikki, but she can rest well knowing she left them in a better place and poised for the future.'

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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