Executive Leadership Changes for Celebrity Cruises

Royal Caribbean Group and Celebrity Cruises announced today that Lisa Lutoff-Perlo will transition from President of the cruise line to Vice Chair, External Affairs for Royal Caribbean Group. Laura Hodges Bethge, currently Executive Vice President, Shared Services Operations, will become the next brand President of Celebrity Cruises. These changes will be effective on May 1, 2023. 

In her new role, Lutoff-Perlo will continue reporting to Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty. 

“Lisa has been instrumental in transforming the Celebrity Cruises brand to what it is today,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “From helping us introduce the revolutionary Edge Series of ships to advancing the role of women in maritime careers, Lisa has had an incredible career during her time leading Celebrity Cruises, and multiple parts of our Royal Caribbean International brand. I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa for almost 18 years, and I know her expertise will be invaluable as she transitions to serve as my Vice Chair, External Affairs.”

Lutoff-Perlo’s career with Royal Caribbean Group began in 1985 as a district sales manager. In 2005, Lutoff-Perlo became Celebrity Cruise’s first female senior vice president of hotel operations and in 2012, she was named executive vice president of operations for Royal Caribbean International, becoming the first woman in the industry to oversee both hotel and marine operations. 

In 2014, Lutoff-Perlo was named President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, the first female of a Royal Caribbean Group brand to hold this title. Along the way, she led Celebrity Cruises to record growth, revenue, and profit, overseeing four new ships entering the line’s fleet. She also oversaw the ‘Celebrity Revolution’,  one of the largest fleet revitalization projects to be done in the industry.

“It has always been difficult for me to imagine leaving the incredible Celebrity brand, but the time is right for me to start an exciting new chapter and turn the helm over to a new leader,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “It has been my great honor to lead this brand and work alongside the phenomenal Celebrity shoreside team and crew. Together, our accomplishments have been extraordinary. I’m excited to now work closely with Jason on broader initiatives as we sail towards an even brighter future.”

Laura Hodges Bethge will succeed Lutoff-Perlo as the next President of Celebrity Cruises. Hodges Bethge has been with the company for more than 23 years, most recently serving as executive vice president of shared services operations. She has held leadership roles in product development, hotel and marine operations, sales, marketing, product innovation, market development, and investor relations. Hodges Bethge was also previously senior vice president of product development for Royal Caribbean International, leading the teams responsible for conceptualizing groundbreaking ships and private island destinations. 

“Now 15 ships strong, this is an exciting time for Celebrity Cruises,” said Laura Hodges Bethge. “This year alone, we’ll be welcoming Celebrity Ascent, and reaching key construction milestones in the yet-to-be-named fifth ship in the revolutionary Edge Series. I look forward to building on the incredible achievements of Lisa and this world class team, as we continue to break boundaries and chart new courses in the industry.”

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