Above: Carnival Dream

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Carnival Cruise Lines CEO Gerry Cahill is retiring, the company announced Thursday.

Cahill will be retiring effective Nov. 30, following two decades of service at the company. He has served as CEO since 2007, growing the cruise line to 24 ships.

“Gerry has been instrumental in taking Carnival Cruise Lines to new heights as one of the preeminent brands in the cruise industry,” said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “He and his team have delivered new innovations to cruising while growing the business year after year.”

During Cahill’s tenure, the company launched four new ships, including the new Dream class.

“I can’t thank Gerry enough for his tireless efforts both as CFO of Carnival Corporation and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines,” said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation. “While we would always feel his retiring is premature, we understand and support his decision. His leadership and passion, along with his honest and frank views will be missed, and we will always have a deep appreciation for Gerry’s tremendous contributions to Carnival Corporation.”

The company has not yet named a replacement. Cahill has agreed to stay on in an advisory capacity to shepherd the leadership team through the transition period.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead Carnival Cruise Lines for the past seven years and to work for this great company for 20 years,” Cahill said. “Deciding when to retire is not easy, especially when you love what you do. I feel the time is good for me personally and the company and brand are in a good place. Our employees are the finest, most dedicated people I know, and the thing I will miss most in my retirement is the opportunity to come to the office each day and work with such talented individuals.”