Nikki Upshaw has been appointed to the newly created position of vice president, field sales for Oceania Cruises, and will assume her position on September 6, 2011.

In this role, Upshaw will oversee Oceania Cruises’ field sales efforts, particularly as they relate to its travel agent partners. Upshaw will lead a talented team of regional sales directors, who work with more than 3,000 travel agencies throughout the U.S. and Canada in developing strategic and tactical business opportunities. Upshaw will report directly to Bruce Himelstein, Oceania Cruises’ president.

A 23-year cruise industry veteran, Upshaw joins Oceania Cruises from ResidenSea, where for 10 years she headed up global sales and marketing efforts for the ultra-luxury residential vessel: The World. Previously, she was vice president of sales for e-Cruise.com. Prior cruise line experience includes sales management posts for Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Royal Viking Line.

Upshaw, named a “Top 100 Rising Star” three consecutive times by Travel Agent magazine, earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Miami. She and her family live in South Florida.