Lisa Lutoff-Perlo will transition from her role as president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises to vice chair, external affairs for Royal Caribbean Group (Celebrity’s parent company), effective May 1. In her new role, Lutoff-Perlo will continue reporting to Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty. Laura Hodges Bethge, currently the Group’s executive vice president, shared services operations, will become the next president of Celebrity Cruises.
Lutoff-Perlo has served as president and CEO of the line since 2014, becoming the first woman appointed to that role for of one of Royal Caribbean Group’s brands. According to the Group, she led Celebrity Cruises to record growth, revenue. Under her leadership, Celebrity Cruises welcomed four new ships and underwent the “Celebrity Revolution,” one of the largest fleet revitalization projects in the industry.
She first started with the company in 1985 as a district sales manager. In 2005, Lutoff-Perlo became Celebrity’s first female senior vice president of hotel operations. In 2012, she was named executive vice president of operations for Royal Caribbean International, becoming the first woman in the industry to oversee both hotel and marine operations.
“From helping us introduce the revolutionary Edge Series of ships to advancing the role of women in maritime careers, Lisa has had an incredible career during her time leading Celebrity Cruises, and multiple parts of our Royal Caribbean International brand,” said Liberty.
As for her replacement, Hodges Bethge most recently served as executive vice president, shared services operations, for Royal Caribbean Group. She has been with the company more than 23 years and has held senior positions in many different areas, including product development, hotel and marine operations, sales, marketing, product innovation, market development and investor relations.
Previously, she was senior vice president of product development for Royal Caribbean International, and led the teams conceptualizing their ships, private island destinations—including the first island in Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Island Collection, Perfect Day at CocoCay—and new onboard experiences.
Added Liberty: “With her operational experience, business acumen and deep understanding of our company and the cruise industry, I know Laura is the right person to lead Celebrity Cruises to its next phases of growth.”
Visit www.celebritycruises.com.
Related Stories
Katina Athanasiou Joins Celebrity Cruises as VP Sales, Americas
Princess Cruises to Host Winemaker Dinner With Caymus Vineyards
On Site: First Impressions of the New Celebrity Beyond
Oceania Unveils "Broadway-Caliber" Entertainment on Vista