It was recently announced that industry executive Ken Muskat would be leaving MSC Cruises after three and a half years, and now we know where he is headed – SkySea, an emerging Chinese cruise line and joint venture between Ctrip.com and Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited.

For Muskat, the move is effectively a homecoming as he worked at Royal Caribbean International for over 18 years prior to MSC Cruises. At the SkySea brand, he will oversee developing an “East-meets-West” style of Chinese cruise travel, applying his sales and marketing background.

READ MORE: Ken Muskat Leaving MSC Cruises After Three-Plus Years

"Ken Muskat is known for his ability to generate consumer excitement and revenue generation, which are key elements in building a new cruise line and setting the stage for long-term growth," said Min Fan, vice chairman of Ctrip.com and executive chairman of SkySea.

The appointment comes from the new 20-month-old brand at a time of increasing competition in the Chinese cruiser source market as it sails its sole ship, the Golden Era, formerly corporate cousin Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Century.

READ MORE: Royal Caribbean's New Cruise Venture Now Sailing from Shanghai

"There is no challenge I like better than creating a winning business proposition in a competitive market," Muskat said. "I appreciate the confidence shown in me by the owners of SkySea, and I look forward to using my experience to help this exciting new brand grow to be a leader.”

Muskat will officially fill his new position starting in the middle of January 2017 following his recent roles at MSC Cruises and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). He added, ”I look forward to bringing to bear everything I've learned in my career and helping SkySea become a standout performer. There is an important role for a Chinese-centered brand like this in this large and growing market.”

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