Pavlus Travel & Cruise has announced two senior leadership appointments to accelerate its growth in luxury travel and its leadership in the age of artificial intelligence. Erik De La Cruz, a 16-year Viking veteran, has been named vice president of marketing, and Michael Steudle, a 15-year company leader, has been promoted to the newly created role of chief luxury growth officer.
“These two leaders represent exactly where luxury travel is heading,” said Craig Pavlus, founder and chief executive officer of Pavlus Travel & Cruise. “Erik knows the luxury cruise world from the inside, and Michael saw the artificial intelligence revolution coming earlier than most in our industry. Together they give Pavlus the talent to expand our luxury business and to lead the way travelers discover and trust an agency.”
De La Cruz joins Pavlus after a 16-year career at Viking, where he most recently served as senior director of sales. He brings more than two decades of travel industry experience, with a strong track record in luxury cruise sales, strategic partnerships, and support of the travel advisor community.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Luxury Travel Advisor.
![ss_prod_kerdiline_g3_showerboard [Screed]](https://solointown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Untitled-5-1024x640-450x281.png "KERDI from Schlüter-Systems – a complete waterproofing system")
