Carnival Corporation & plc today announced Alan Buckelew, currently the president and CEO of Princess Cruises, is being appointed to the newly created role of chief operations officer of Carnival Corporation & plc effective December 1, 2013, reporting to President and CEO Arnold Donald.

“With his successful track record in both running a brand and as a functional lead, Alan is ideally suited to take on the tasks of this new role,” said Donald.

Buckelew will have oversight of all maritime and port operations around the world and our group collaborative functions, including information technology; group strategy and global operations; ship retrofits; newbuilds; research and development; risk advisory; and quality assurance. Additionally, Buckelew will have oversight of Carnival Asia, with responsibility for coordinating all our brand and related activities in that part of the world.

With a career spanning more than 36 years in the cruise industry, Buckelew has served as chief executive officer of Princess Cruises since June 2007 and as the line’s president since February 2004. In addition he also served as chief operating officer for Cunard Line from 2004 to 2007.

Buckelew has a breadth of experience across cruise operations, having served as executive vice president responsible for Princess’s strategic planning, marketing and yield management services. Before that, Buckelew held various other high-level executive positions in customer service, shared services and yield management. Alan has also served as chief information officer and chief financial officer of Princess.

Buckelew served in the U.S. Army in 1969 and 1970 in Vietnam and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and two Bronze Stars.

Born in Long Beach, Calif., Buckelew holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.  He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Christine, and two daughters.