Carnival Cruise Line Announces Major Leadership Change—What This Means for Future Ships

Carnival Cruise Line has announced a key leadership transition, naming Ben Clement as the new Executive Vice President of Maritime & New Builds. Clement, a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience at Carnival, will step into this role in January 2025.

He will succeed Lars Ljoen, who will move to a new position as Chief Maritime Officer at Carnival Corporation. Clement’s long tenure at Carnival has seen him lead the development of some of the cruise line’s most innovative ships.

As Vice President of New Builds & Refurbishment, he was pivotal in the creation of Carnival’s Dream, Vista, and Excel classes, each setting new benchmarks for cruise ship design and guest experience. His work has not only expanded the fleet but also introduced cutting-edge features like the first roller coaster at sea, BOLT, aboard the Carnival Jubilee.

Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, highlighted Clement’s broad expertise, which spans maritime operations, ship design, and customer experience.

She noted that his leadership has been instrumental in enhancing Carnival’s appeal and loyalty among its guests. His background includes service in the French navy and various roles in the merchant marine industry, as well as shipyard management in Toulon, France.

In his new position, Clement will oversee Carnival’s maritime operations, including technical aspects and compliance, during a critical period of expansion for the company.

Carnival plans to launch five new ships starting in 2027, with a new class of vessels in the works, as well as additional ships scheduled for delivery in 2029, 2031, and 2033.

These new ships will be built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), reflecting Carnival’s commitment to sustainable innovation.

Based in Carnival’s Miami headquarters, Clement will lead the next chapter of growth and innovation for the cruise line, ensuring that Carnival continues to set the standard in the industry with new ship designs and guest experiences.