Princess Cruises welcomes aboard new president

Carnival Corporation names John Padgett president of Princess Cruises (PRNewsfoto/Carnival Corporation & plc)

Carnival Corporation has announced the appointment of John Padgett as president of Princess Cruises, effective immediately.

Serving as president of one of Carnival’s most iconic brands, Padgett will oversee all performance and operational functions of Princess Cruises and its global fleet of 14 ships sailing cruise guests to nearly 400 destinations around the world annually.

He will report directly to Jan Swartz, group president of Holland America Group, which includes the Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and P&O Cruises Australia brands.

Since July 2014, Padgett has served as chief experience and innovation officer for Carnival, responsible for guest experience innovation, development, creation and operations integration.

In his new role, Padgett will also retain leadership of the corporation’s innovation unit.

Specifically for the Princess Cruises brand, Padgett has been a key player in the development and implementation of the Princess MedallionClass experience.

This includes the creation and development of the award-winning Medallion wearable device and the enabling OCEAN platform that enhances and personalises the overall cruise experience.

“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.”

Commenting on his new role, Padgett said: “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.

“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.”

Prior to joining Carnival, Padgett worked for 18 years with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, where he spearheaded the invention, development and implementation of guest engagement innovations that include the MagicBand, FastPass+ and Disney’s Magical Express.

Latest News

  • Hotels

Albury’s luxury boutique hotel, CIRCA 1928, is up for grabs

Luxury boutique hotel business CIRCA 1928, in the heart of the Albury’s CBD, is up for grabs. CRE Brokers has been appointed as the Exclusive Agency for the leasehold sale of the hotel in a major regional growth centre of NSW. Set in the tree-lined Dean Street, surrounded by the retail, food and entertainment offerings, […]

  • Hotels

Regent announces opening of the Regent Santa Monica Beach

Regent has returned to the US with the opening of Regent Santa Monica Beach, a beachfront resort combining the glamour of Los Angeles with the splendour of the coast. Regent Santa Monica Beach, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, reintroduces the Regent name to Los Angeles and becomes the brand’s first […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

CATO unites at World Travel Market London

The Council of Australian Tour Operators is poised to make a significant impact that the 2024 World Travel Market (WTM) in London. Supported by the Australian Government’s Reinvigorating International Travel Grant (RITG) program, CATO’s impressive attendance signals a clear commitment to revitalising the travel industry and accelerating Australia’s outbound tourism recovery. WTM London has served […]

  • Events

ICC Sydney hosts Global Nature Positive Summit

The International Convention Centre Sydney, managed by ASM Global, hosted the world’s first Global Nature Positive Summit from 8 to 10 October. Around 1,000 delegates including international Ministers, environmental policy experts across government and corporate sectors, Indigenous People, and investors attended the landmark event. At the Summit, leaders explored effective ways to realise global commitments […]

  • Conferences
  • Food & Beverage

Centennial Homestead welcomes The Paddock and Treehouse Rooftop Bar

Centennial Homestead, in Sydney’s Centennial Parklands, is stepping into a new era with its new The Paddock and Treehouse Rooftop Bar. Nestled with the stunning Parklands as a backdrop, the new spaces will be offering breakfast, lunch, weekend drinks with a view, or events. The Paddock seats more than 200 guests comfortably. With seamless integration […]

  • Destinations

Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort offers the perfect weekend itinerary for a boys’ trip

Located in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort offers the perfect weekend itinerary for men to enjoy a customised adventure or wellness weekend. “Boys’ weekends” have come a long way from fishing, footy, and pub grub, with guys keen to get away to destinations that offer everything from actions and adventure […]

  • Conferences
  • Events

Club Med launches inaugural Meetings and Events Sustainability Report

Club Med has launched its inaugural Meetings and Events Sustainability Report, a new source of key information to support companies with the implementation of sustainable initiatives at their events. As its MICE sector continues to accelerate, the pioneer of premium all-inclusive holidays commissioned a survey on 200 key opinion leaders from a range of different […]

  • Hotels

Hotel review: does Amanpulo in the Phillipines outshine the Australian coastline?

We set our sights on Pamalican Island, curious if its beauty might outshine the familiar splendour of our own Australian coasts. Upon our arrival, what Amanpulo presents is a transformation of natural beauty into something that borders on ethereal. The journey by seaplane – a cinematic touch – adds an air of mystery, as if […]