ONE of the biggest cruise operators out of Southampton, Royal Caribbean Cruises, has had a reshuffle at the top.

Jo Rzymowska is promoted to managing director for the UK and Ireland, while Robin Shaw becomes vice-president and managing director for Europe.

Royal Caribbean is the firm behind the vast Navigator of the Seas cruise ship, a familiar sight in Southampton docks - pictured together with fellow fleet giant Liberty of the Seas - and the world's biggest cruise ship Independence of the Seas.

Rzymowska has played a significant role in the rapid growth of the UK and Ireland business, including successfully restructuring the sales and marketing teams and the delivery of the "Easy To Do Business With" initiative for trade business partners.

She is charged with continuing to move the business forward during its busiest year ever in the region.

Shaw has been instrumental in increasing the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises market shares in the UK and Ireland from nine per cent in 2004, to 16 per cent today.

In his new role, he will assume responsibility for all country operations in Europe and oversee the growth of these markets.

Both Shaw and Rzymowska joined the company in 2005.

Susan Hooper, senior vice-president and managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "These changes are the result of the dynamic and positive performance of the region to date; in fact, the company's business has more than doubled in size in the UK and Ireland in the last three years.

The promotions also mark a very exciting prelude to 2008 - expected to be our busiest year ever in the UK and Ireland."