ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 9, 2026 — Pavlus Travel & Cruise announced two senior leadership appointments to advance its luxury travel business. Erik De La Cruz, a 16-year Viking veteran, has been named vice president of marketing, while Michael Steudle, a 15-year company leader, has been promoted to chief luxury growth officer.
“These two leaders represent exactly where luxury travel is heading. Erik knows the luxury cruise world from the inside, and Michael saw the artificial intelligence revolution coming earlier than most.”
— Craig Pavlus, Founder and CEO
De La Cruz brings more than two decades of travel industry experience, including 16 years at Viking where he served as senior director of sales. Steudle spent 15 years at Pavlus, most recently as vice president of marketing and information technology, leading the agency’s digital transformation and artificial intelligence strategy.
“Pavlus has built something truly rare, a family-owned, independent agency that combines obsessive client service with real buying power,” De La Cruz stated.
Both appointments are effective immediately and report to Shelby Steudle, president of Pavlus Travel & Cruise.
About Pavlus Travel & Cruise
Founded in 1994 and based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Pavlus Travel & Cruise is one of America’s largest independently owned luxury travel agencies. It represents Viking, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Tauck, and more than 90 other luxury partners. The company has been the Number 1 Tauck seller worldwide for over 20 consecutive years and charges no service fees.
