Carnival names new president for Holland America Line

Carnival Corporation names Gus Antorcha president of Holland America Line.

Carnival Corporation has announced some major moves within its global leadership team as part of the company’s broader efforts to prepare for the eventual resumption of cruising.

Gus Antorcha (pictured above), who was most recently chief operations officer for Carnival Cruise Line, has been named president of Holland America Line, effective immediately.

Antorcha replaces Orlando Ashford, who left Carnival at the end of May, and will report directly to Stein Kruse, group CEO of Holland America Group and Carnival UK.

Neil Palomba, currently president of Carnival’s Italy-based Costa Cruises, has been named executive vice president and chief operations officer for Carnival Cruise Line, effective immediately. He will report directly to Christine Duffy, who is the president of the brand.

During Palomba’s transition, the Costa Cruises leadership team will continue to report to Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa Group and Carnival Asia. Thamm will add the role of president at Costa Cruises, with Mario Zanetti named chief commercial officer.

Carnival CEO Arnold Donald said the moves demonstrate the depth and strength of the group’s leadership team.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Latest News