SeaDream Yacht Club, a niche cruise operator with two small ships, announced the appointment of Pamela Conover as CEO on Wednesday.

Conover, who was previously president and CEO of luxury six-ship Seabourn Cruise Line, took over the position Wednesday. It had been filled by Atle Brynestad, SeaDream’s chairman and owner, since 2009. SeaDream president Bob Lepisto will keep that role.

Since 2011, when Seabourn moved its offices from Miami to Seattle, Conover has been special advisor and brand ambassador for the brand, part of Carnival Corp. She was Seabourn’s president and CEO from 2006-2011 and also served as president and chief operating officer of Cunard Line Limited, which operated Cunard and Seabourn ships, from 2001 until 2004, when the brands were split.

She will work from the Miami office of SeaDream, known for its focus on service and upscale but casual atmosphere. SeaDream’s “yachts,” as they’re called, sail to the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the Amazon, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and Asia.

Conover and Brynestad have their former companies in common: Brynestad founded Seabourn in 1987 and became chairman of Cunard Line Limited when Seabourn and Cunard merged in 1998. He left that job in 2000 and founded SeaDream the following year, using ships that were formerly from the Seabourn fleet.

“I am delighted to have an executive of Pam’s talent and expertise to lead the SeaDream management team,” Brynestad said in a statement. “We have worked together over the years and have a great track record of success together.”