Publications
Publications
- September 2020
- HBS Case Collection
Jan Swartz: Steering Princess Cruises Through the COVID-19 Crisis
By: Boris Groysberg and Michael Norris
Abstract
In the summer of 2020, Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises, was persevering to lead her company back from the depths of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Diamond Princess, one of Princess Cruises’ 18 ships was the site of one of the earliest large outbreaks of COVID-19 outside of China. The outbreak led to hundreds of cases, at least a dozen deaths, media scrutiny, government investigations, and legal proceedings. In early March 2020, Swartz made the decision to pause all global operations of her company, the first cruise company to do so. Six months later, how could Princess Cruises restart operations safely and profitably?
Keywords
COVID-19 Pandemic; COVID-19; Leading Change; Crisis Management; Ship Transportation; Health Pandemics; Human Resources; Business Strategy; Gender; Personal Development and Career; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Travel Industry; Tourism Industry; Japan; United States
Citation
Groysberg, Boris, and Michael Norris. "Jan Swartz: Steering Princess Cruises Through the COVID-19 Crisis." Harvard Business School Case 421-036, September 2020.