Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Names Meghan Montana as New CFO

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has announced a change at the top of its finance team. Meghan Montana, currently the company’s Chief Strategy Officer, will become Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2027, taking over from Mark A. Kempa, who is stepping down after more than 25 years with the company.

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While this is primarily a corporate leadership story rather than something that changes a cruise directly, it’s worth knowing for passengers who follow the cruise industry, since financial leadership often shapes decisions about fleet investment, pricing strategy and onboard spending that eventually trickle down to guests.

A Long Tenure Comes to a Close

Kempa has been with Norwegian since 1999, a tenure that spans the company’s initial public offering and its acquisitions of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. According to Cruise Industry News, NCLH CEO John W. Chidsey credited Kempa’s financial leadership as instrumental to the company’s survival during the COVID-19 pandemic, and praised his recent work on cost-saving initiatives across both shipboard and shoreside operations.

Kempa will not depart immediately. The company said he will remain in an advisory capacity through June 2027 to help ensure a smooth handover to his successor. Reflecting on his time at the company, Kempa said it was “humbling to look back on all we accomplished over the last 25 years,” according to Cruise Industry News, and expressed confidence in the team he is leaving behind.

Who Is Meghan Montana?

Montana joined NCLH in January 2026 as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, a role in which she has overseen the company’s transformation office, turnaround strategy and global outsourcing efforts. Seatrade Cruise News confirmed that she arrived at Norwegian from American Airlines.

Before joining the cruise line, Montana held senior finance roles at American Airlines, including Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Development and, earlier, Treasurer, where she managed global banking relationships, fleet transactions, asset management and insurance. In that treasury role, she helped the airline navigate liquidity and balance sheet pressures brought on by the pandemic and its aftermath. Earlier in her career, she worked in senior banking positions at Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland. She holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and an undergraduate degree in finance from Miami University.

Chidsey said Montana’s experience in complex, capital-intensive industries would be valuable as Norwegian continues its turnaround efforts, noting her close involvement in shaping company strategy since she joined. For her part, Montana said her focus would be on “disciplined execution and capital allocation, strengthening our financial position,” according to Cruise Industry News.

What It Means for Cruise Passengers

Executive changes like this one don’t typically affect bookings, itineraries or onboard experiences in the short term. However, CFOs play a significant role in decisions about how much a cruise line invests in new ships, renovations, loyalty programs and guest-facing initiatives. Norwegian has been working through a broader turnaround strategy in recent years, and leadership continuity in finance can offer reassurance to investors and, indirectly, to passengers who want to see the brand remain financially stable and competitive.

For now, travelers booked on Norwegian, Oceania or Regent Seven Seas sailings won’t notice any immediate changes. The transition is scheduled to take effect at the start of 2027, with Kempa remaining available in an advisory role for several months afterward to support continuity at the company.