SEATTLE (August 24, 2023) – Seattle-based Cruise Specialists, a leader in luxury voyages, has announced the retirement of Senior Vice President Annie Scrivanich after a long and influential career in the travel industry.

She will be succeeded by Vice President Teresa Tennant, who currently oversees the group, shore excursion and administrative teams for Cruise Specialists, which is part of Travel Leaders Group, a division of Internova Travel Group, one of the world’s largest travel services companies.

Throughout her many years in the cruise business, Scrivanich has built her career across virtually every aspect of the industry, all with the goal of improving the customer experience. She joined Cruise Specialists in 2013 and under her tenure, the company has grown to be the industry’s premier seller of world and grand cruises.

Previously, she worked for Cruise Advisors, a major force in the Alaska cruise market, and for Tour Alaska. In that role, Scrivanich was instrumental in pioneering the Route of the Glaciers itinerary and developing the highly popular concept of private dome railcar travel throughout the state.

Tennant joined Cruise Specialists in 2007 as Operations Manager and was promoted to Vice President in 2019. Previously, she worked in various roles with Holland America Line, including human resources, shore excursions and marine hotel operations. She has an MBA in international business from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Tennant is also an avid cruiser, with experience sailing on a wide variety of oceangoing and river cruise lines.

“I’m grateful to Annie for her incredible leadership of Cruise Specialists over the past decade,” said John Lovell, President, Travel Leaders Group. “She is a highly respected expert on premier and grand cruising and is known for building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers in our industry. Cruise Specialists would not be as successful as it is today without her guidance. I wish her well on her retirement adventure.”

While the change in leadership will take place September 1, Scrivanich will stay on for several months to support Tennant and ensure the continuity of operations.

“I am confident that Cruise Specialists will have a bright future under Teresa’s leadership,” Lovell added. “She is a longtime executive with the company who is committed to working closely with our valued partners as well as providing our clients with the best customer service possible. I am excited to work with her and I know that she will lead the company to continued success as the industry leader in selling world and grand cruises.”

Founded in 1987, Cruise Specialists has grown to include a team of dedicated professionals who have served more than 10,000 clients. Cruise Specialists books a wide variety of ocean and river cruises but specializes in four areas: trips that take passengers around the world; grand voyages, which last longer and are broader in scope than a typical trip; expedition cruises to far-flung regions that focus on nature, history and culture; and luxury cruises, including both ocean and river voyages.

As part of Travel Leaders Group, the company can also offer exclusive rates and amenities to its clients. Because so many travelers enjoy exploring the world on land in addition to taking a cruise, Cruise Specialists can plan accompanying tours as well, including luxury safaris and rail vacations.

About Cruise Specialists

Cruise Specialists is an award-winning cruise and tour agency dedicated to arranging the most luxurious land and sea vacations for its clients. Cruise Specialists is a part of Travel Leaders Group, a division of Internova Travel Group, and has been sending clients on memorable world cruises, family reunion cruises, affinity group cruises, honeymoons and unique personal travel experiences since 1987. The agency has been recognized by a number of travel publications, including Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as one of the top luxury travel agencies. Cruise Specialists is headquartered in Seattle, Wash.

About Internova Travel Group

Internova Travel Group is one of the largest travel services companies in the world with a collection of leading brands delivering high-touch, personal travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients. Internova manages leisure, business and franchise firms through a portfolio of distinctive divisions. Internova represents more than 70,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations predominantly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries.