New HAL President

[frankc98376]

New HAL President has been named

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/topics/news/gus-antorcha-named-president-of-holland-america-line/?fbclid=IwAR28ercMyuHiBnpQ5r6AUDNeLO3UgaPDjG0rCVr7hBRnnhYqcVVbbSzzIBw

[ger_77]

Thankfully it's someone with experience in the cruise industry; we'll see what he does!

 

Smooth Sailing!   🙂🙂🙂

[taxmantoo]

I feel a refreshing wave of optimism coming to HAL ... let's hope this will benefit long-time HAL cruisers as well as develop a new following.

[vicd1969]

Slight half-glass empty view here. He was the COO of Carnival cruise lines, which may lead to more "mass-marketization" of HAL. Certainly hope that won't be the case as he has very impressive credentials hinting he may recognize that the two lines aren't the same.

Edited July 9, 2020 by vicd1969

[kazu]

14 minutes ago, taxmantoo said:

I feel a refreshing wave of optimism coming to HAL ... let's hope this will benefit long-time HAL cruisers as well as develop a new following.

 

I feel the same way 🙂 

[FlaMariner]

Thanks for passing this along.

 

I wish him smooth sailing ahead.......

 

With the exception of the consulting background, past experience with Carnival looks like a good fit for Holland America.  

 

 

 

 

[WFBgal]

Someone who is truly qualified. Ashford’s background was hotel/hospitality & never had been on a cruise ship. Good luck Gus!
 

[Cruizer Bill]

Thanks for letting us know.  

[Copper10-8]

Someone with cruise line experience, something Ashford never possessed! Good move and good luck to Mr. Gustavo

[VMax1700]

Looks promising for the future. At least a COO should know how things run!

[Sir PMP]

I liked his comment "the best live music at sea' ,ok, Gus more Latin music..

[DFD1]

I just hope he slows the "Carnivalization of HAL". I doubt it can stand much more of that. IMO

 

[Copper10-8]

1 hour ago, Sir PMP said:

I liked his comment "the best live music at sea' ,ok, Gus more Latin music..

 

The future "Music Walk" 😉

 

 

[HappyInVan]

Antorcha is a smart guy from the Boston Consulting Group. Likely that there will be major changes.  Stay tuned.

[Himself]

I wish the new president oh HAL much success. I am glad he has cruise ship experience.

[ski ww]

Wishing him all the best. I guess time will tell. Glad to see he comes from a cruising background.

[Sir PMP]

1 hour ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

The future "Music Walk" 😉

 

 

I already hired them for the Ms. Stellendam..

[Copper10-8]

Just now, Sir PMP said:

I already hired them for the Ms. Stellendam..

 

Personally, I would change that to Spaarndam, but you're the CEO 😉 

[Sir PMP]

Just now, Copper10-8 said:

 

Personally, I would change that to Spaarndam, but you're the CEO 😉 

No, I won't have any allowance then..

[AncientWanderer]

Mr. Antorcha has very fine credentials.  I join others here in wishing him well in his new position.

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for the info.

Good luck Gus.  Hope you do well in your new job.

Edited July 9, 2020 by puppycanducruise

[doone]

Wishing him well for sure.  He has alot of hard work ahead of him.  

[MISTER 67]

Coming from Carnival, I hope he's not planning on turning HAL into a Fun Ship line.

What I would like to see is the main showroom with more acts and production shows and some live music in the Ocean Bar. Please no more BBC eco videos in the showroom, I can stay home and watch that on TV. We pretty much like everything else on an HAL cruise, have no complaints with the food, service and cleanliness of the ships.

Welcome aboard, Gus

Edited July 9, 2020 by MISTER 67

[lcand1923]

According to a search, Mr. Antorcha spent about a year in Sea World.  Is that true?  I'm wondering how that experience will impact his handling of entertainment on HAL.  Heaven knows, activities on Sea Days have completely disappeared in the past two years. 

 

Best of luck, Mr. Antorcha!

[kelleherdl]

6 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

Antorcha is a smart guy from the Boston Consulting Group. Likely that there will be major changes.  Stay tuned.

I agree, BCG hires smart folks.  But a good number of their 'innovative changes' in the corporate world came only from detached armchair experience.  Glad to see he then actually moved into the cruise industry for a good number of years. The fact the experience is with Carnival I think is a good thing. He surely knows the internal corporate workings of big Carnival already.  I'm positively inclined.