Carnival Cruise Line has replaced their CEO Miky Arison, son of a co-founder of the company, but he will remain as chairman of the board, according to the AP.

While I have no behind-the-scenes knowledge here, it seems like a marketing move to show that they realize there were issues this fiscal year which, in the end, has affected their bottom line.

(From a Forbes story, which ranks him at #68 in Forbes 400)

The AP story states that advanced bookings are down from last year, despite cheaper deals being offered.

I don't blame cruise-goers. Carnival was plagued with issues in the first and second quarters, including the Carnival Triumph woes and a Saratoga Springs teen dying on a NYC-Caribbean cruise in February.

All of these problems resulted in a Passenger Bill of Rights being made by the Cruise Lines International Association last month.