Sales shakeup at Princess as Disney's Almaguer, Crystal's Roig join

Almaguer becomes SVP sales and service strategy and operations, while Roig is VP sales.

Their appointments demonstrate 'our commitment to providing best-in-class service to the travel trade while modernizing the Princess omni-channel sales capabilities that will expose Princess to broader audiences and drive cruise bookings,' Princess President John Padgett said. The plan is to 'elevate sales performance through unmatched trade relations and the deployment of new sales tool innovations in partnership with our Princess Experience and Innovation development team.'

John Chernesky becomes 'brand champion'

John Chernesky to become a Princess brand champion

Chernesky, a 29-year Princess veteran who's spent the past seven years in sales, most recently as SVP North America sales and trade marketing, will become a brand champion, focused on 'heralding the Princess brand to consumers and trade with continuous social media engagement and activation at special events and new product launches.'

Padgett called Chernesky 'the perfect choice' for this, with 'a voice naturally infused with credibility and authenticity.'

Cal Almaguer

Almaguer brings extensive cruise and travel industry sales experience as well as contact center expertise following his more than 20 years with Disney Destinations. He will oversee all Princess sales and vacation product distribution channels as well as the company's contact center operations, reporting directly to Padgett, himself a Disney veteran.

Almaguer previously led the domestic sales force supporting Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii, and also ran operations for Disney's contact centers and travel company operations. His cruise background also includes sales roles with Norwegian Cruise Line and Windstar Cruises, prior to joining Disney Cruise Line as a member of the launch team.

'Cal's impressive career leading critical sales channels for some of the most dynamic vacation companies in the world is built on his passion for exceptional guest experience, belief in the power of the travel agency community and omnichannel consumer engagement,' Padgett said. 'His deep understanding of the travel trade and enduring relationships, coupled with his extensive contact center experience make him the right strategic leader for our increasing sales efforts.'

'My focus will be to expand the principles of the Princess MedallionClass experience grounded in personalized and hassle-free service to all consumer and travel trade interactions,' Almaguer said.

Carmen Roig

Joining him is Roig, a sales, marketing and community leader who will direct trade relationships, lead business development teams and serve as the sales authority across all Princess sales modalities including web, contact centers and onboard. She's also tasked with bringing new and innovative products and services to the trade to enhance earning potential and expand consumer demand.

Roig has more than 30 years of marketing, sales and cruise industry experience, including the past six heading marketing and sales for Crystal. She returns to Carnival Corp. after beginning her career with Carnival Cruise Line in 1981. Subsequent sales roles were with Azamara and Costa Cruises.

'With Carmen at the helm, Princess is strongly positioned to elevate sales strategies, intensify channel engagement and maximize revenue productivity,' Almaguer said.

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