Carnival lays off 450 in UK as Holland America Line and Seabourn executives depart
Carnival Corporation is reducing its staff in the United Kingdom and letting go of two cruise line executives.
Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford and Seabourn president Rick Meadows are leaving their posts, the Miami-based company announced Tuesday. The BBC is reporting around 450 employees of Carnival Corp. brands Cunard Line and P&O Cruises will be let go, and staff members who remain will have a 20% salary cut through November.
“We have begun a period of consultation with our staff in Southampton across all levels of the business,” said a Carnival Corp. UK spokesperson in a statement. “Our priority is to treat everyone with fairness and respect and to have open and honest conversations. These changes, whilst very difficult, are to ensure the future sustainability of our business.”
The layoffs come as cruises in the U.S. remain suspended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until at least July 24.
Ashford joined Holland America Line in 2014 as a newbie to the cruise industry. Before starting at Holland America, Ashford was head of human resources for Mercer, a business consulting firm. He is credited with modernizing the once-stodgy brand and freshening its entertainment offerings. When one of the brand’s ships, the Zaandam, could not find a port that would accept it with sick people on board in March, Ashford penned an emotional plea in the Sun Sentinel. Broward County allowed the ship to dock and all passengers were evacuated. He will be leaving at the end of May. The company release did not specify the reason for his departure.
“Today, a global pandemic has impacted our industry in ways that are completely unprecedented,” Ashford said in a statement. “However, I believe it is human nature to travel and explore new places and cultures and meet new people. I have no doubt that Holland America Line will thrive again soon, and its guests will be ready when cruise operations resume. I look forward to being one of the first to sail.”
Meadows, who said he is retiring, has been with Carnival Corp. for 35 years. He became president of Seabourn in 2011 after working in marketing and sales for the company and Carnival Corp. During his time at the helm of the small-ship luxury brand, Meadows launched two new ships, the 600-passenger Seabourn Encore and 600-passenger Seabourn Ovation. Meadows is a member of the board of directors for the cruise industry lobbying group Cruise Lines International Association. He will be leaving the company at the end of May.
“I’ve had so many amazing opportunities throughout my career, passionately leading a number of global cruise brands as well as working with so many talented team members, travel advisors and other stakeholders around the world,” said Meadows in a statement. “It has been a true honor to help craft those lifetime memories and special moments for our guests, through the profound power of travel, which brings people and cultures together. I look forward to the day when we can once again welcome our guests back on board.”
Until now, Carnival Corp. has been immune to the layoffs seen at its competitors. On April 15, Royal Caribbean Cruises cut 26% of its U.S. staff. Also in April, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced furloughs for 20% of its staff through July.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 5:21 PM.
