A major wave of change is sweeping through the top echelons of the world's leading cruise companies.
First it was Richard Fain, who departed Royal Caribbean after 33
years at the helm, and now another cruise industry heavyweight, Arnold
Donald, will step down as Carnival Corp.'s president and CEO on 1 August
after nine years in the top role.
Donald,
who became president and CEO to the world's largest cruise company in
2013, was widely credited for turning Carnival Corp around after the
2012 sinking of the Costa Concordia tarnished the company's reputation
and leading the company to its record results pre-pandemic. He will stay
on as vice chair of the company's board.
He has also guided the company through the unprecedented shutdown of
the global cruise industry during the Covid pandemic, as well as its
restart in 2021, reported Travel Weekly.
Donald will be succeeded by Josh Weinstein, Carnival's current COO, in the role of president and CEO.
In a statement, Donald called Weinstein "a proven executive who is
well respected throughout the company, serving in key leadership roles,
driving strong business results during his tenure and playing an
integral part in stewarding the company through the global pandemic."
A 20-year veteran of Carnival Corp., Weinstein has been COO for the
past two years and has overseen all major operational functions,
including global maritime, ports and destinations, sourcing, IT and
auditing. Prior to that, he oversaw Carnival UK, the operating company
for P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard, which he managed for three years as
president.
"Josh's thorough understanding of our industry, operations and
business strategy puts him in a tremendous position to lead the next
phase of our company's journey," Donald said. "With his vision,
intensity and core values truly aligned to those of our company, I
cannot think of anyone better suited for this role than Josh."