LOS ANGELES — Crystal Cruises has named travel industry veteran Walter Littlejohn VP and Managing Director of Crystal River Cruises.

Littlejohn will step into the role June 6, just over one month before the maiden voyage of the line’s first luxury river ship, Crystal Mozart, which will sail on the Danube River from Vienna on July 13.

Over the next two years, Crystal River Cruises will see six additional new builds, beginning with river yachts Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler, Crystal Bach and Crystal Ravel in the summer of 2017.

“Walter comes to Crystal at a pivotal time for Crystal River Cruises, and his wealth of expertise and driving spirit will certainly help ensure excellence during the launch of our river experiences and this period of extraordinary growth,” said Crystal CEO and President Edie Rodriguez.

Littlejohn’s 24-year tenure in the travel industry spans several executive and leadership roles, most recently as VP with AmaWaterways.  Littlejohn also has strong ties to the travel agent community, having co-founded his own agency at the beginning of his career, which he ran for 14 years.

His appointment comes on the heels of the announcement of the departure of longtime Crystal executive, Philip Ordever.