Princess Cruises assures agents it’s ‘business as usual’

Princess Cruises assures agents it’s ‘business as usual’

By Phil Davies

Princess Cruises assures agents it's 'business as usual'UK agents have been assured that it is ‘business as usual’ despite management changes at the top of Princess Cruises.

The new structure will see Jan Swartz (pictured) step up to succeed Alan Buckelew as president of Princess Cruises.

With Buckelew moving to become chief operations officer for parent company Carnival Corporation, Swartz will report to Stein Kruse, who has been promoted to president and chief executive of the newly-formed Holland America Group.

Kruse will provide “commercial and operations oversight” to Princess, Holland America, Seabourn and our Alaska land operations, Swartz said.

Swartz, who has been sales, marketing and customer service executive vice president at Princess for four years, said: “Paul Ludlow, UK director, will continue to lead the Princess Cruises brand in the UK.

“For our travel agent partners, it will be business as usual, and all plans we have discussed regarding 2014 will proceed as agreed.

“I want to assure you that travel agents will continue to play a key role in the success of our company.”

She stressed that there is “absolutely no intention” to combine Princess and Holland America Line.

“In fact, our work together will focus on how to keep them as unique and distinct as possible,” added Swartz.

“I look forward to working with Stein, who is an experienced and dynamic leader, as we focus our team to take Princess Cruises to the next level of success and growth.”

Frank to step down, among other changes at Carnival Corp.

Frank to step down, among other changes at Carnival Corp.

By Jerry Limone
HowardFrank
Carnival Corp. said Howard Frank will step down as vice chairman and COO to assume the role of special adviser to the chairman and CEO.

Frank will continue as chairman of CLIA.

Frank has been Micky Arison’s right-hand man for the past 25 years. Arison stepped down as Carnival Corp.’s CEO earlier this year, and was replaced by Arnold Donald. Arison remains chairman of the company.

“For the last Alan Buckelew25 years, Howard and I have worked side by side, and I could not have asked for a better business partner. I am looking forward to his continued contributions in his new role,” Arison said in a statement.

The change will be effective on Dec. 1, as will several other management changes at Carnival Corp.

Alan Buckelew, the current president and CEO of Princess Cruises (a Carnival Corp. brand), will be Carnival Corp.’s new COO.
Jan Swartz
Buckelew will have oversight of a maritime and port operations around the world and group collaborative functions, including information technology; group strategy and global operations; ship retrofits; newbuilds; research and development; risk advisory; and quality assurance. He also will oversee Carnival Asia.

With Buckelew leaving Princess, Holland America Line CEO Stein Kruse will oversee Princess as CEO of the newly formed Holland America Group. The move adds Princess CStein Kruseruises and Alaska land operations to Kruse’s current responsibilities of Holland America Line and Seabourn.

Also, Jan Swartz has been promoted to president of Princess Cruises. Swartz is currently Princess’ executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer service.

Swartz will be in charge of Princess’ worldwide operations. She will report to Kruse.

Buckelew and Kruse will report to Donald.