Royal Caribbean informed its employees yesterday that, given the current crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it is forced to lay off or furlough 26% of its workforce in the US, which totals more than 5,000 employees. Likewise, most crew contracts have expired.
In a brief statement, the company expressed regret over the decision: “The circumstances of the pandemic made this action unavoidable, and it hurts to part ways with so many good and talented people.”
At the same time, Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of the group's upper-premium brand, Azamara, resigned from his position. Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., stated: “We are losing a giant of the cruise industry today. An innovator for Azamara and the industry who created the concept of destination immersion. Larry is one of the finest minds and people in the tourism industry. He is an original thinker, an entrepreneur, and someone whose insights helped improve not only Azamara but the entire RCL group over the past 11 years.”
