Former NCLH CEO Kevin Sheehan is interim CEO, Dave & BustersFormer NCLH CEO Kevin Sheehan is interim CEO, Dave & Busters

Kevin Sheehan, who was CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings until January 2015, became interim CEO at Dave & Busters.

This follows the resignation of Dave & Busters CEO Chris Morris Dec. 10 as sales at the entertainment and dining chain declined for a third consecutive quarter. The board has been working with executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles for the last few months to help identify the next permanent CEO and has started meeting potential candidates. 

Sheehan has served as chair of Dave & Busters since April 2021 and as a director since October 2011. He previously acted as interim CEO from October 2021 through June 2022.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Starting as CFO, then president and CEO, Sheehan spent eight years at Norwegian Cruise Line, leading the company's development and expansion and its initial public offering, one of the most successful IPOs in 2013.

He broadened NCL's reach, branching into upper premium and luxury cruising with the acquisition of Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Margaritaville at Sea

Later Sheehan became chair and principal owner of the company that became Margaritaville at Sea, from 2016 through October 2023.

Sheehan also acts as principal owner of Mellon Stud Ventures, a family investment firm, and he serves as lead director at Gannett, the media company, whose portfolio includes USA Today. He was president/CEO of Las Vegas-based Scientific Games Corp., a lottery and gaming company, from August 2016 until June 2018.

Seatrade Cruise Review tracks down past cruise line leaders

For updates on nearly three dozen other past cruise line presidents, CEOs and managing directors, see the feature 'Where are they now?' in the December issue of Seatrade Cruise Review, out soon.