|
 Carnival
Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company, yesterday announced Alan
Buckelew, Chief Operations Officer, will be expanding his leadership role by
relocating to China to more closely oversee the company's growing operations in
the country.
"As the world's largest cruise company with a portfolio of nine industry-leading
global cruise lines, we are the clear market leader in China and very well
positioned to continue working with officials in China to help the country meet
its goal of becoming one of the most important cruise markets in the world,"
said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. "Today's announcement
underscores our deep commitment to China as a market of great strategic
importance for our company. Alan is one of the most respected leaders in the
industry and having him on the ground in China will add great strength to our
operation and growth opportunities in China."
Buckelew's experience in Asia is extensive, previously serving as the CEO of
Princess Cruises before taking on the assignment of Chief Operations Officer for
Carnival Corporation & plc. In his expanded role, he will lead all of the
company's initiatives in China, while also continuing to provide oversight of
all maritime and port operations around the world and a number of related
functions as part of his COO role.
"We are excited about our cruise ships currently serving the Chinese market and
the vast potential to grow our business in China in the months and years to
come," Buckelew said. "Our team in China is dedicated and passionate about
delivering a unique experience designed to exceed the expectations of every
guest who boards one of our ships."
This past May, the company announced Costa Serena will deploy year-round in
China next year, making Carnival Corporation the first global cruise company
with four ships based in China, one of the world's fastest-growing cruise
markets. Costa Cruises plans to debut Costa Serena in Shanghai in April 2015,
where it will join Costa Victoria and Costa Atlantica, other Costa ships already
deployed in China. The move will increase Costa's overall capacity in Asia by 74
percent.
In addition to Costa Serena, Princess Cruises – another iconic Carnival
Corporation brand – began home-porting the Sapphire Princess out of Shanghai
this past summer.
Adding a third ship based in China this year increases Carnival Corporation's
total 2014 capacity in the country by 66 percent. In 2015, with four ships based
in China for the first time, Carnival's industry-leading capacity is expected to
jump 140 percent over a two-year period.
"As we execute our strategy to accelerate growth in China, we have the benefit
of eight years of experience in China to not only help guide our expansion, but
also find unique ways to delight our guests with the joy of cruising," Buckelew
said.
With a career spanning more than 37 years in the cruise industry, Buckelew
served as chief executive officer of Princess Cruises from June 2007 and served
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, he held various other
high-level executive positions in customer service, shared services and yield
management. He also held roles as chief information officer and chief financial
officer of Princess.
Buckelew served in US Army in 1969 and 1970. He holds an MBA and bachelor's
degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. |
