Laura Hodges Bethge

President Celebrity Cruises

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL)

Laura Hodges Bethge is president of Celebrity Cruises, an award-winning premium cruise line known for its sophisticated design and elevated hospitality, and one of three best-in-class cruise brands owned by vacation industry leader Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), which also includes Royal Caribbean and Silversea. Prior to that, she served as the Group’s executive vice president of shared services operations, responsible for safety, security and environment, risk management, travel services, supply chain, and crew movement teams.

In early 2025, Hodges revealed plans for Celebrity Cruises to enter the river cruise business with the launch of Celebrity River Cruises in 2027, marking an exciting and significant expansion of the brand’s offerings. 

Laura’s long history with Royal Caribbean Group began in 2000 leading the fleet accessibility program followed by positions in hotel and marine operations, sales, marketing, and investor relations. She was also based in Shanghai where she oversaw commercial operations for this strategic market as Vice President of market development. Notably, she was also senior vice president of product development for Royal Caribbean, the largest global cruise line, where she led teams conceptualizing the line’s groundbreaking ships, onboard experiences, and private destinations, including the first island in Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Island Collection — Perfect Day at CocoCay.

In the South Florida community (her hometown), Hodges Bethge is on the board of Easterseals, a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of people and families with disabilities. She also supports efforts aiding the Police Officer Assistance Trust (POAT), a nonprofit organization that assists officers and their families in times of need. She received the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation Anchor Award last year for her support of Caribbean maritime education and community development and was named one of the 2025 Most Influential Women in Travel by TravelPulse.  

Hodges Bethge holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and an MBA in international business and finance, from Florida International University.