Joining Carnival Cruise Line in 1982 as an embarkation agent at Port Miami, Adolfo Perez has championed cruise travel for four decades. He first started working for the "Fun Ship" line at age 16. Today, he's the line's senior vice president of global sales and trade marketing.
For that lifetime of service and other major contributions to the cruise industry, Perez was honored last week with Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) Lifetime Achievement Award, presented during the "2022 CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards" dinner last week at Cruise360.
That Fort Lauderdale, FL, event also featured Perez's induction into "CLIA’s Hall of Fame" by Ken Tate, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Carnival Cruise Line.
CLIA's Hall of Fame
CLIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who make remarkable, positive contributions to the cruise industry. Recipients are determined by a selection panel which includes CLIA's leaders as well as its Strategic Trade Advisory and Review Board and Trade Relations Committee. The honor not only coincided with Perez marking 40 years with Carnival, but also the cruise brand's 50th birthday. “Despite the fact we have grown into a huge travel leisure company with nine brands, from the Carnival Cruise Line side, it still feels like a family,” said Perez.
He continued: “I’m proud to be part of this family—this company and industry. It’s been an amazing 40 years and I look forward to more fun with the Carnival family ahead.”
From his teen years, Perez progressed through the ranks. During his four decades with the company, he's helped launch 34 Carnival ships. Among his posts? He previously served as the vice president of Carnival’s contact center. He also opened Carnival’s London office as vice president of Carnival UK and Ireland. Then he became senior vice president of global sales and trade marketing for the company’s consumer and trade businesses in the U.K., Ireland and Australia, before shifting into his present position. .
“Adolfo epitomizes the essence of partnership and support to our travel partners, and he has enhanced the impact our company has in continuing to deliver memorable vacations to all,” said Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line.
Arnold Donald, president and CEO, Carnival Corporation, also praised Perez: “Adolfo has been an integral part of Carnival’s success and the growth and success of the global cruise industry for 40 years. We are proud to join with all our partners and friends in the industry to recognize and celebrate Adolfo on his incredible career—and no doubt there is more success to come,”
Solidifying Trade Relations
In addition, Perez is widely credited with reinvigorating Carnival’s relationship with the global travel advisor community. He's introduced such memorable programs as "Travel Agents Rock," a motto he fervently believes in. How so? He even sports a tattoo to prove it.
He also instituted the "Agentpalooza Bus Tour" and the consumer-focused "Why Use a Travel Advisor" (WUATA) campaign to promote travel advisors. In addition, he has fostered a stronger connection between Carnival, travel advisors and guests through his Facebook page and his "Live from Adolfo’s Desk" webinars and media columns.
Perez attributes his achievements to the travel advisor community, saying agents have been a critical component of Carnival’s success since its early days up until now.
Visit www.carnival.com.
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