Executive will manage the brand's operations and retain control of Carnival Corporation’s innovation unit
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Corporation has named John Padgett as president of its Princess Cruises brand, making him immediately responsible for managing operations of its global fleet of 14 ships and its onshore teams.
Since July 2014, Padgett has served as chief experience and innovation officer for Carnival Corporation and led the development and implementation of various innovations designed to enhance operations and the customer experience. Some of the most notable innovations include the first-of-its-kind, award-winning Medallion wearable device and OCEAN platform, both of which enable the Princess MedallionClass experience. Together, they enable Princess Cruises to deliver a fully connected and personalised experience for guests and crew members sailing across its fleet.
“John is the mastermind behind our state-of-the-art OCEAN platform and was a key player in our fleet transformation, working closely with Princess team members in virtually every area of our operation to enable the MedallionClass experience for all our guests,” said Swartz. “John’s vision, drive and performance, combined with his commitment to providing the best guest experience in the industry, have helped position Princess for success well into the future. We warmly welcome John to the role and look forward to his stewardship as we navigate this fast-changing, dynamic environment.”
In his new role as president of Princess Cruises, Padgett will report directly to Jan Swartz, group president of Holland America Group, which includes the company's Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and P&O Cruises Australia brands. He will also retain leadership of Carnival Corporation’s innovation unit.
“Carnival Corporation’s cruise brand portfolio, global fleets, destinations and most importantly dedicated shipboard and shoreside teams have provided an unmatched platform to drive guest-focused innovation,” said Padgett. “The opportunity to lead the iconic Princess brand and to help take the cruise content – including hotel, food and beverage, entertainment, merchandise and destination experiences – to new levels is an absolute honour.”