Paul Ludlow

President
Carnival UK & P&O Cruises
Portrait of Paul Ludlow, President of P&O Cruises (UK).

Paul is President of Carnival UK and President of P&O Cruises. In his consolidated position, Paul assumes all global commercial and operational responsibility for Carnival UK, overseeing both the P&O Cruises and Cunard brands that serve over 1.5 million guests annually. He reports to Josh Weinstein, Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation & plc.

As a 20-plus-year veteran of the company, Paul brings to the role far-reaching experiences across every commercial department and multiple brands in the company’s portfolio of world-class cruise lines, as well as proven leadership capabilities and a track record of outstanding results. Paul is responsible for the continued development of P&O Cruises, the UK’s market leading cruise line – a role he has held since 2018. This includes the introduction of two Excel class ships that can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG): Iona, which joined the fleet in May 2021, and Arvia, launched in December 2022. These vessels mark a continued evolution for the company with contemporary innovations, brand partnerships and guest experiences. Paul also oversaw Cunard’s fleet expansion with the delivery of Queen Anne in 2024.

Formerly the Managing Director for Princess Cruises in the UK and Europe, Paul led commercial operations in the UK and across 16 European offices. He established and developed the UK as Princess Cruises’ largest market outside North America and oversaw initiatives to promote growth across the UK and Europe regions. Prior to his role with Princess Cruises, Paul held a number of senior sales and commercial-based positions within Carnival UK.

Roles & Chronology

2023 – Present
President, Carnival UK
2018 – Present
President, P&O Cruises (UK)
2016 – 2018
Senior Vice President, P&O Cruises (UK)
2015 – 2016
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, P&O Cruises (UK)
2014 – 2015
Managing Director, UK & Europe, Princess Cruises
2011 – 2014
UK Director, Princess Cruises
2006 – 2011
Senior Sales Manager, P&O Cruises (UK) & Cunard
2003 – 2006
Account Manager, P&O Cruises (UK) & Cunard
2002 – 2003
Business Development Coordinator, P&O Cruises (UK) & Cunard
2001 – 2002
Overseas Representative, TUI

Corporate & Charitable Leadership

During Paul’s tenure as President, P&O Cruises has supported Teenage Cancer Trust and the company has raised almost £1million through a variety of on board and on land activities to help young people in the UK diagnosed with cancer.

Cunard is a proud Platinum Patron of The Prince’s Trust, helping change young people’s lives for the better and has raised almost £3million since 2007 through fund-raising activities on board its ships and on land.

Personal & Educational Background

Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems Management, Business/Commerce, General from Bournemouth University. He also obtained an Executive Program in Management certificate from UCLA Anderson School of Management and completed the Breakthrough Programme for Senior Executives at IMD Business School.