Christine Duffy is president of Carnival Cruise Line, the flagship brand of Miami-based global cruise industry leader Carnival Corp., the world’s largest leisure travel company. As president, she captains a company that sails a fleet of 24 ships, annually hosts nearly six million guests, and employs more than 43,000 people who hail from 110 nations around the globe. Celebrating six years with Carnival Cruise Line, Christine joined the company in 2015 after a successful tenure as president and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents the $120 billion global cruise industry. 

While at CLIA, she elevated the industry’s profile before consumers, regulators, industry stakeholders, and the media; led the adoption of the Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights to enhance the industry’s commitment to passenger safety, comfort, and care; managed the industry response to several high-profile crises; and consolidated a network of 15 cruise industry organizations into one global association.

Prior to CLIA, Christine spent 10 years at Maritz Travel Company, the world’s largest corporate meeting, events, and incentive travel company where she served six years as president and CEO.

Christine is the chair of the U.S. Travel Association. She is a member of the board of directors of Aimbridge Hospitality, the global leader in hotel management services, and Herschend Family Entertainment, the nation’s largest family-owned operator of themed attractions, including Dollywood and Branson’s Silver Dollar City. She sits on the Professional Advisory Board of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of which Carnival Cruise Line is the official celebration partner.

Christine has been a strong supporter of women’s leadership in the travel industry, leading initiatives that delivered research and programs to help women advance their careers. She was recently named by Women Leading Travel & Hospitality as one of its top women in travel and hospitality. Christine is also a member of The Committee of 200, an organization of the world’s most successful women business leaders that supports, celebrates, and advances women’s leadership. She was recognized by Moves magazine as a 2016 Power Women recipient for her work in serving as a role model for future generations of young women. She has also been honored by the Convention Industry Council and the U.S. Coast Guard, among others. Christine was a member of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference class of 2018, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious public liaison program for the Department of Defense.

3 words to describe Nature?

Beautiful. Inspiring. Powerful

3 things Nature taught you?

Circle of Life through birth

Growth

Renewal

3 most treasured Nature spots?

Ocean

Beach

My garden

When you look at the OCEAN, it makes you feel…?

At peace

When you see a FOREST, it makes you feel…?

Small and inclusive

When you see a VOLCANO, it makes you feel…?

Intimidated by its’ power.

When you see a SUNRISE or SUNSET, it makes you feel…?

Inspired for a new day or at peace with the end of a day well-lived.

When you hear THUNDER, it makes you feel…?

Apprehensive for what follows…

When you hear the WIND HOWLING, it makes you feel…?

Apprehensive for the damage that can be done.

Are you an OCEAN, MOUNTAIN, FOREST, or DESERT person?

OCEAN

On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being?

7

Share with us a childhood nature memory?

Long days at the beach after the lifeguards and crowds have gone home.