Empty CEO Chairs at Two Largest Operators

With Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, retiring at the end of November, and no top executive at Royal Caribbean International since Adam Goldstein was promoted, the two biggest, most profitable brands in the cruise industry have empty posts at the top of the pyramid.

With Cahill’s retirement announcement on Thursday, Carnival did not name a successor, and Cahill said he would stay on in an advisory role after his Nov. 30 retirement.

At Royal Caribbean, the story is different, as Adam Goldstein moved to become COO and president of Royal Caribbean Cruises earlier this year, and the company has yet to name a president of the Royal Caribbean brand. Royal Caribbean has also not addressed the empty position on any of its earnings calls.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings named a new president for its Norwegian Cruise Line brand two weeks ago in Drew Madsen.

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