Gus Antorcha has been appointed president of Princess Cruises, effective December 2, 2024, succeeding John Padgett, who will leave the company in mid-February 2025.
Beth Bodensteiner, currently senior vice president and chief commercial officer of Holland America Line, will also be promoted to president of the cruise line on the same date.
Both Antorcha and Bodensteiner will report to Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, who expressed confidence in their leadership capabilities to enhance the success of Princess, Holland America, and Seabourn brands.
John Padgett, the outgoing president, is recognized for his significant contributions, including the launch of the innovative Princess MedallionClass experience, which has elevated the brand’s guest service standards within the cruise industry.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation shared “Gus and Beth are proven leaders who reflect the talent and capabilities of our organization and who have a deep knowledge of our industry, our business, and what drives our success. Under their leadership, I have no doubt that Princess, Holland America and Seabourn will remain well-positioned for a bright future, and we look forward to the next chapter for these two world-class brands and their ongoing success.”
“I would also like to thank John for more than a decade of service and innovation, including developing and launching Princess MedallionClass®, which revamped the Princess guest experience and set a new standard for service and personalization in the cruise industry and for travel and hospitality overall, as well as returning the Princess brand to its rightful iconic status within the cruise industry. John’s dedication and impact have been significant. We wish him all the best.”
“I’m incredibly grateful to the entire Princess Cruises team for their passion and hard work in making Princess a global powerhouse in guest service, personalization and innovation to give our guests priceless vacations spanning the world,” said Padgett. “It’s been an exciting journey, and I look forward to watching the continued success of The Love Boat with love, respect and admiration for the brand and all the shoreside and shipboard team members.”
