20 JUL 2018: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that CEO and president Cindy D’Aoust will be stepping down from the association at the end of the year in order to focus on family priorities. She will remain in her role until a successor is found and will help oversee the transition of the new leader, said the cruise association today.

CLIA’s global executive committee is developing a transition plan that will include a search for a new president and CEO.

“CLIA has been fortunate to have Cindy at the helm for the last two years but we respect her decision to focus on her family and wish her all the best,” said Arnold Donald, who is CLIA chairman and president and CEO of Carnival.

CLIA has hired executive recruitment firm Russell Reynolds Associates to lead the search for a new president and CEO.