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In a surprise announcement, Carnival UK and Carnival Australia have announced that Sture Myrmell, currently president of P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Australia, is moving to the UK as President Carnival UK, with Marguerite Fitzgerald taking over as President Carnival Australia.
Myrmell, who will be based in Southampton, England, will join Carnival UK in November and will report directly to Josh Weinstein, chief operations officer for Carnival Corporation, who also has responsibility for Carnival UK.
In his new role, Myrmell will lead all performance and operational aspects of Carnival UK and in addition, as interim president of Cunard, he will directly oversee Cunard’s operations and its three ships, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, and Queen Mary 2, until that role is filled.
Weinstein said, “Sture is a two-decade-plus veteran at our company, so we look forward to him bringing his deep experience, excellent leadership skills and proven track record of success to a new leadership opportunity,” adding, “He will play a crucial role in our success in the UK, and we look forward to his contributions as we deliver to our guests the best holiday experiences in the world and as both brands launch new ships including LNG-powered Arvia for P&O Cruises in December 2022.”
Myrmell said, “I am honored to join the passionate and dedicated Carnival UK team that delivers extraordinary holiday experiences to our guests every day,” adding, “Carnival UK has been at the forefront of the industry for decades and I look forward to working with our shipboard and shoreside personnel to continue our leadership role in the industry while providing great holidays for our P&O Cruises and Cunard guests.”
Myrmell’s successor, Australian-born travel and tourism veteran Marguerite Fitzgerald will take over as president of P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Australia in January 2022, with Fitzgerald most recently serving as the lead for Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) global lodging and leisure practice, as well as its global strategy business, with according to Carnival bringing deep expertise in all aspects of cruise operations to Carnival Corporation.
Fitzgerald will be based in Sydney and report directly to Jan Swartz, group president, Holland America Group, who also has responsibility for Carnival Australia.
Carnival says that Fitzgerald will also bring two decades of strategy and operational experience in retail and leisure travel to her dual-role position with Carnival Australia and she has worked across global geographies developing international strategies for travel and tourism companies, including over 10 years working with cruise lines, including several Carnival Corporation brands, in virtually every area of operations, from commercial to hotel to maritime. Prior to her time at BCG, Fitzgerald worked for several years in the Australian power industry.
Swartz said, “Marguerite is a trusted global authority in the travel and tourism industry with extensive expertise in the worldwide cruise passenger market, including direct experience working in the Australian and New Zealand region,” adding, “With the insight she brings from consulting with some of the world’s most well-known travel and tourism companies, including several of our brands, she is uniquely qualified to make a strong contribution to Carnival Australia’s continued success”.
Swartz added, ”With her global perspective and insight, Marguerite is joining the Australian team to continue Sture’s leadership in positioning Carnival Australia for the re-building of cruising in the region along with supporting the many small businesses and individuals who rely on cruising for their livelihoods”.
Global Travel Media wishes both Marguerite and Sture all the very best in their new roles.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor.