Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, has earned a spot on the Forbes 50 Over 50 List in the lifestyle category. This list honors 200 extraordinary women who show that it's never too late to achieve great success. Duffy is the only executive from the cruise industry and one of just two from the travel sector to be recognized this year, joining an impressive group of women from various industries.
Duffy shared her gratitude, saying, "I’m honored to be recognized for this prestigious recognition and be among the company of such incredible women. Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by many great leaders I’ve worked with, and now I try every day to offer that same level of mentorship and lead by example. That’s pretty easy to do with our tremendous shipboard and shoreside teams who motivate and inspire me."
Duffy’s career in the travel industry spans 40 years and is filled with many "firsts." In 2015, she became the first woman to lead Carnival Cruise Line, which is the main brand of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest leisure travel company. She oversees a fleet of 27 ships that operate from ports in North America, Europe, and Australia, as well as three P&O Cruises Australia ships in the South Pacific. Together, these ships welcome six million guests each year and employ over 52,000 people from 120 countries.
In addition to her role at Carnival, Duffy serves on the boards of Aimbridge Hospitality and Herschend Family Entertainment. She is also involved with the U.S. Commerce Department’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, has served as chair of the U.S. Travel Association, and is a member of the Professional Advisory Board for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where Carnival is the official celebration partner. Earlier this year, she was honored by the Cruise Line International Association with a Hall of Fame induction and a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the cruise industry.
