Carnival Corporation has announced another two major moves within its global leadership team as it comes to terms with the pandemic and prepares the organisation for the eventual resumption of cruising.
Gus Antorcha, currently chief operations officer for Carnival Cruise Line, has been named president of Holland America Line, and Neil Palomba, currently president of the company’s Italy-based Costa Cruises, moves to Carnival Cruise Line as executive vice president and chief operations officer.
Both appointments are with immediate effect.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to continue enhancing our global operations, these moves clearly demonstrate the depth and strength of our leadership team,” Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, said.
“We are using this pause in guest operations to evaluate every aspect of our business, including our leadership structures, and make changes where appropriate to improve our business.
“Gus and Neil are both proven and strategic leaders within our organisation, and we are looking forward to their contributions and success in these new roles as we position our company and our brands for a bright future.”
As an industry veteran with nine years of service at Carnival Cruise Line, Antorcha held several key leadership roles supporting the brand’s continued growth.
Prior to becoming chief operations officer, he served as Carnival Cruise Line’s executive vice president, guest services, responsible for onboard operations, and senior vice president, guest commerce.
Palomba’s new responsibilities with Carnival include oversight of all hotel operations, guest services, guest commerce and guest care.
Since February 2015, he has led Costa Cruises, with responsibility for managing strategy, product design, guest care, sales, marketing, revenue management and fleet deployment. Under his leadership, Costa Cruises launched Costa Smeralda, the brand’s first cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).