Carnival Corporation has announced that effective December 1st Stein Kruse, currently president and chief executive of Holland America Line, is being appointed chief executive of the Holland America Group, adding Princess Cruises and Holland America Princess Alaska land operations to his current responsibilities of Holland America Line and Seabourn.

Kruse will report to Carnival Corporation president Arnold Donald.

“This is an exciting expanded opportunity for Stein and the experience and track record of effective leadership he brings to it bodes well for our future,” said Donald.

In his expanded role, effective December 1st, Kruse also will replace Micky Arison as chairman of the board of MANCO, the UK-based entity which oversees operations of Carnival Australia including P&O Cruises, the number one cruise line in the Australian market.

The newly created Holland America Group operates 41 cruise ships with over 36,000 employees worldwide who annually deliver 25 million passenger cruise days. 

Kruse joined Holland America Line in Seattle in 1999 as senior vice president, fleet operations with overall responsibility for operations and new building.

In 2003, he was named president and chief operating officer, and on December 1st, 2004, chief executive officer.

In January 2011, he was named chairman of Seabourn and the corporate headquarters transitioned from Miami to Seattle.

Under Stein’s leadership, Holland America Line and Seabourn have prospered.

He implemented the HAL Signature of Excellence quality and service enhancement initiative and created a health, environmental, safety and security program.

As well, Stein has broadened Holland America Line’s philanthropic efforts and encouraged employees to serve on non-profit boards.

Before he joined Holland America Line, Stein was senior vice president and chief financial officer of the North American operations for global Japanese shipping company K Line, where he also oversaw financial activities in seven US subsidiary companies and served on the company’s board of directors.

Prior to that, Kruse was executive vice president and chief operating officer for Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, and president and chief executive officer for Seven Seas Cruise Line.