Williamson will join Princess in late June and moves from her role as vice-president of fleet people operations for Carnival UK, during which she led the repatriation of crew at the onset of the pandemic and a successful return to service last year.

Her previous positions include marketing communications director for P&O Cruises.

Williamson will report into Princess’s senior vice-president Stuart Allison, who heads the line’s international teams and will support its UK and Europe leadership group until Williamson joins the company.

Roberts announced his departure from Princess after six years with the line to join Seabourn as global vice-president, commercial operations and head of UK and Europe.

The leadership change comes before a busy ex-UK summer for Princess, with the line offering four ships based out of Southampton for the first time.

“I was able to sample the MedallionClass Experience on Sky Princess last season and I am looking forward to taking this amazing product to more travel agent partners and guests in the years to come,” said Williamson.

Roberts said it was “bittersweet to be moving on from Princess” but added he was “proud of the exceptional results and significant growth” his team had achieved during his tenure.

“I have no doubt that this will continue under Eithne’s leadership given the unique breadth and depth of her more than seven years’ experience with Carnival UK across both commercial and operational functions,” he said.