Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a management change, with Ben Clement set to grow to be the Government Vice President of Maritime & New Builds beginning January 2025. Clement will succeed Lars Ljoen, who will transition to a brand new position as Chief Maritime Officer at Carnival Company.
Clement, with almost three a long time at Carnival, has been instrumental within the growth and innovation of the cruise line’s fleet because the Vice President, New Builds & Refurbishment.
“Ben has frequently pushed us to consider ship design, options, venues, and merchandise in ways in which have helped redefine Carnival, develop visitor loyalty, and construct a vibrant buyer base that has propelled our development,” mentioned Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
She continued, “He’s additionally an impressive mariner, with huge information and expertise acquired throughout his time within the French navy, service provider marine, and shipyard administration.
“That distinctive mixture of expertise and expertise throughout so many facets of maritime operations will permit us to keep up our management in operational and cultural excellence,” she mentioned.
Clement joined Carnival in 1996 and has since performed a pivotal position within the design, refurbishment, and development of the cruise line’s expansive 27-ship fleet.
Below his management, Carnival Cruise Line launched a number of modern ship courses, such because the 130,00-gross-ton Dream Class, the 133,500-gross-ton Vista Class, and 180,000-gross-ton Excel Class, which debuted in 2009, 2106, and 2024, respectively.
He additionally pioneered options like the primary curler coaster at sea, Carnival Jubilee’s BOLT.
Earlier than his tenure at Carnival, Clement served as a navigation officer within the French navy and held numerous positions on service provider ships. He additionally managed a shipyard in Toulon, France.
Clement’s educational credentials embrace a diploma of service provider marine officer from the Ecole Nationale Superieure Maritime French Navy officers’ faculty in Marseille, France, the place he was valedictorian, and an government program certificates from the Stanford College College of Enterprise in Northern California
Clement to Steer Subsequent Part of Development
In his new position, Clement will oversee Carnival’s maritime operations, technical operations, and compliance capabilities. Throughout this time, Carnival Cruise line will introduce 5 new ships, beginning in 2027, together with a brand new, yet-to-be-named class of ship.
In July 2024, Carnival Cruise Line introduced it’ll add two new sister Excel-class ships following the profitable launch of Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, which debuted in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively, every of which might accommodate 6,500 passengers.
Learn Additionally: What to Count on When You Go on a Carnival Cruise
Carnival Jubilee, which launched into its inaugural voyage from Galveston, Texas, on December 23, 2023, rapidly gained recognition for its spectacular options and visitor experiences. It was named Finest New Cruise Ship of the yr by Cruise Hive.
A brand new order for 3 extra ships slated for supply within the summers of 2029, 2031, and 2033. The vessels, that are a part of a brand new class weighing almost 230,000 gross registered tons every, can be constructed at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and powered by liquefied pure gasoline (LNG).
Clement can be based mostly in Carnival Cruise Line’s Miami headquarters, which is within the technique of relocating. The transition plan on the cruise line entails backfilling his present place.
