Carnival Corp Leadership Changes

[Kendall James-Vargas]

There have been many upper management Carnival Corporation leadership changes recently. Many are saying John Padgett stepping away is worth questioning. Guests seem to be pleased he's gone, hoping for the loyalty perks he took away to come back again.  Do you think JP being gone has anything to do with Regal Princess' cruise cancellation fiasco? Share your thoughts. 

[LukeJ]

That's an interesting thought, I never thought of it like that before. Was he really that unpopular amongst the passengers? What did the crew really think of him I wonder. Only time will tell.

[Cruising Caribbean]

I'm sure there is more to unpack about JP leaving, but at least he's gone. It's likely because Carnival Corp asked him to step down, but at this point it doesn't matter anymore. I don't think he was super unpopular, but I don't think he was super well liked either. For instance, CCL's John Heald is super popular amongst guests. That wasn't the case for John Padgett.

[LukeJ]

I guess the difference is that John Heald makes a point to engage with it's customers and is always seen and heard. Heald encourages passenger feedback and asks their opinion and gets people involved. Some may dislike him I'm sure, but as a whole, I agree he tends to be fairly popular with passengers. I don't know much about John Padgett to have an opinion about him, however if he was asked to step down, that speaks volumes. 

[PaulB]

I've never sailed on there ships, so I have no idea what they are like. I know John Heald as I follow him on Facebook and he always keep in contact with communication and asks advice on its followers. I've never heard of the other one I'm afraid, so I can't really comment on him.

[Woody14]

John Heald is a former cruise director and very much a people person, his 'job' at the Carnival Corp for the past several years has been brand ambassador, I don't think he really had any corporate power more just spokes person.  John Padgett has been serving as the President of the Princess Brand so he has a very corporate position.   It is not really fair to compare the two.

[LukeJ]

I've read that he is brand ambassador, and despite reading that some people don't like him, I'm a firm believer that he must be doing a good job to keep the Carnival name going. So whether people love him or loathe him, he's doing his job. His communication with the public is commendable. He's always in touch and doing what's asked of him.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@Woody14 That's fair to say. Most corporate people aren't very well-loved like John Heald is. JP was not popular for some of "his choices", but he's not the only one that make those final calls! When you are the President of a huge brand, you are blamed or the go-to person for every decision or change the brand makes. That pressure is real! I wouldn't want that job. 

[LukeJ]

I guess that's why they get paid the big bucks to not only make decisions and to get the credit but to also take responsibility and the blame if needed. It has to stop somewhere.

[3Sisters]

Most Princess Cruises' guests are looking forward to the upper management change. Effective yesterday, the former president of Holland America Line, Gus Antorcha is now the president of Princess Cruises. Gus Antorcha is a strong leader with a perfect background for the job. The new president of Holland America Line is Beth Bodensteiner, the line's former VP and chief commercial officer. It's a good deal for Beth because she's getting a great promotion, and it's excellent for Princess Cruises because the line was due for strong leader like Gus.