Jennifer de la Cruz
Jennifer de la Cruz

Jennifer de la Cruz, a nearly 30-year veteran of Carnival Cruise Line, is stepping down Jan. 26.

She will join Travel Leaders Group, an organization of more than 7,000 travel agencies in the US, UK, Ireland and Australia, as VP-PR & communications.

Carnival president Christine Duffy in a staff memo credited de la Cruz for helping to establish CCL's PR unit and building it "into what has long been viewed among media as a truly exceptional PR and communications function."

CCL is the largest brand of Carnival Corp, which also operates the Princess Cruises, Holland America and Cunard Lines.

It made news Jan. 12, announcing the hiring of National Basketball League legend Shaquille O'Neal as CFO (chief fun officer) to kick off its "Choose Fun" ad drive.

Shaq will get involved in video content, social media and experiential activations.