Australia and New Zealand Cruise Market Gains New Leadership as Lisa Teiotu Joins Imagine Cruising Australasia Following Senior Roles at MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean

New leadership has been introduced to the Australia and New Zealand Cruise Market following the appointment of Lisa Teiotu as Managing Director – Australasia at Imagine Cruising. The senior appointment has been made after Teiotu held leadership and commercial development positions at MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Responsibility for the company’s operations across Australia and New Zealand will now be carried by an executive whose career has been closely connected with the regional cruise industry.

Teiotu has joined the cruise holiday specialist after a brief period with Starts at 60. Her return to the cruise sector has been marked by her appointment to one of the most senior positions within the Australasian division of Imagine Cruising.

The appointment has been welcomed by Teiotu, who said she was honoured to be selected to lead the business. Her enthusiasm about returning to the cruise industry was also expressed, while the opportunity to guide the Australia and New Zealand operations during an important period for the company was highlighted.

Imagine Cruising Strengthens Its Australasian Management Structure

Imagine Cruising operates as a specialist provider of cruise holidays and wider travel products. Through its business model, cruises, flights, hotels, tours, events and packaged holidays are offered to customers seeking organised travel experiences.

The wider Imagine Travel agency was established in 2011 and is based in Milton, Queensland. Its Australasian presence has been developed across Brisbane, Perth and Auckland, giving the company an operational footprint in both Australia and New Zealand.

Under the new appointment, the regional business will be led by Lisa Teiotu, with continued growth and customer delivery expected to remain central to the company’s established direction. No new expansion programme or commercial strategy was disclosed in the supplied information. However, Teiotu confirmed that work would be undertaken alongside employees and business partners to support the company’s ongoing development.

Imagine Cruising’s reputation for innovation, distinctive holiday products and customer-focused experiences was acknowledged by Teiotu. The strength of the company’s team was also recognised and collaboration with its people and industry partners was identified as an important part of her new role.

Holiday experiences for customers across Australia and New Zealand will continue to be delivered through the company’s cruise and travel portfolio. Its offering is supported by several connected travel services, allowing cruises to be combined with flights, accommodation, tours and events.

The appointment places an experienced cruise executive at the head of a business focused on the regional Cruise Market. Teiotu’s responsibilities will include the leadership of the Australia and New Zealand division, while relationships with staff, customers and commercial partners will be maintained.

Lisa Teiotu Returns to the Cruise Market

Considerable experience in the Cruise Market has been gained by Lisa Teiotu through senior roles with two major cruise companies. Before joining Imagine Cruising, she had been employed by MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in positions focused on business development, sales and regional management.

Teiotu joined MSC Cruises in November 2019 as sales director. In that role, responsibility for the commercial development of the cruise company’s Australia and New Zealand business was assigned to her. Sales activity and the wider commercial direction of the ANZ operation were therefore supported during her time in the position.

Her responsibilities were expanded in June 2023 when she was appointed managing director of MSC Cruises’ Australasia business. The regional operation was led by Teiotu until her departure from the cruise line in late 2024.

Before her career with MSC Cruises was started, three years had been spent at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She served as head of business development for Australia and New Zealand, where experience in regional cruise sales and commercial partnerships was developed.

Her professional profile was further recognised when she was named a finalist in the Travel Weekly 2024 Women in Travel Awards. This recognition was received while she was already established as a senior figure within the regional cruise sector.

The appointment at Imagine Cruising has therefore been made after more than six years of senior experience with major international cruise operators. A combination of sales leadership, business development and general management experience will now be brought to the company’s Australasian operation.

Regional Growth and Customer Experience Remain Central

Continued business growth has been identified by Teiotu as a key area of focus at Imagine Cruising. It was stated that close cooperation would be maintained with the company’s employees and valued partners as the business continues to serve travellers across Australia and New Zealand.

Particular importance was placed on memorable customer holidays. The delivery of distinctive travel experiences has been positioned as a central part of Imagine Cruising’s reputation, with cruise packages being supported by flights, hotels, tours and event-based products.

Teiotu’s appointment also strengthens the connection between the company’s leadership and the wider Cruise Market. Her previous responsibilities at MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines were directly linked with the development of cruise business across Australia and New Zealand.

The regional operation will now be managed by an executive who has worked across several stages of cruise distribution and commercial leadership. Business development was handled at Royal Caribbean, sales and commercial expansion were overseen at MSC Cruises and wider regional management was later undertaken as managing director.

At Imagine Cruising, those areas of experience will be applied to a travel company with offices and operations spanning Brisbane, Perth and Auckland. Leadership of the Australasian business has been entrusted to Teiotu as the company continues to provide packaged cruise holidays and related travel services.

Through the appointment of Lisa Teiotu, new senior leadership has been secured by Imagine Cruising for its Australia and New Zealand division. Her return to the cruise industry has been completed through a role that combines regional management, partner engagement, customer experience and business growth within the evolving Australia and New Zealand Cruise Market.