Charles “Bud” Darr is President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the global trade association that represents the world's most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and a widespread network of stakeholders, including ports, destinations, and ship developers, as well as a range of leading product and service providers to the cruise industry.
As President and CEO, Bud is responsible for leading the organization’s work as the foremost authority and voice of the industry across the association’s five operating regions, including North America, Europe, Australasia, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Bud joined CLIA as president and CEO in February 2025—returning to the association, having previously held the post of Senior Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs from 2010 to 2017. Prior to his return to CLIA, Bud served as Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs at MSC Group for nearly eight years.
A highly respected and recognized expert in the maritime world, Bud’s leadership of CLIA comes at an important time for the industry as the cruise sector builds on a strong and responsible growth trajectory.
His accomplished maritime experience includes serving six years in the United States Navy (1983 to 1989) and in the U.S. Navy Reserve while at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (1989 to 1993), where he graduated with honors in the Marine Transportation program and received his Merchant Marine License as a Deck Officer. He then served 17 years (1993 to 2010) with the U.S. Coast Guard in a variety of roles, including Deputy Chief of Maritime & International Law. He also represented the United States as a delegate to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the Assembly, Committee, Sub-Committee, and Working Group levels, and served in capacities as head of delegation, advisor, and elected Chairman.
Bud is an associate member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA) and over the course of his career has built outstanding relationships with leaders across the global cruise industry, including cruise lines, ports, shipbuilders, service providers, and travel trade professionals. He is especially passionate about safety and sustainability and is an active member of the broader maritime community through his work with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, UK Chamber of Shipping, Liberian Shipowners Council, SEA-LNG, Society for Gas as Marine Fuel, World Shipping Council, IMO World Maritime University, Cruise Safety and Sustainability Forum, and the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI).
He began his education in Submarine Nuclear Engineering and obtained his formal undergraduate education at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. During his service with the U.S. Coast Guard, he studied law and graduated with high honors from The George Washington University Law School.
Charles “Bud” Darr is President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the global trade association that represents the world's most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and a widespread network of stakeholders, including ports, destinations, and ship developers, as well as a range of leading product and service providers to the cruise industry.
As President and CEO, Bud is responsible for leading the organization’s work as the foremost authority and voice of the industry across the association’s five operating regions, including North America, Europe, Australasia, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Bud joined CLIA as president and CEO in February 2025—returning to the association, having previously held the post of Senior Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs from 2010 to 2017. Prior to his return to CLIA, Bud served as Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs at MSC Group for nearly eight years.
A highly respected and recognized expert in the maritime world, Bud’s leadership of CLIA comes at an important time for the industry as the cruise sector builds on a strong and responsible growth trajectory.
His accomplished maritime experience includes serving six years in the United States Navy (1983 to 1989) and in the U.S. Navy Reserve while at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (1989 to 1993), where he graduated with honors in the Marine Transportation program and received his Merchant Marine License as a Deck Officer. He then served 17 years (1993 to 2010) with the U.S. Coast Guard in a variety of roles, including Deputy Chief of Maritime & International Law. He also represented the United States as a delegate to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the Assembly, Committee, Sub-Committee, and Working Group levels, and served in capacities as head of delegation, advisor, and elected Chairman.
Bud is an associate member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA) and over the course of his career has built outstanding relationships with leaders across the global cruise industry, including cruise lines, ports, shipbuilders, service providers, and travel trade professionals. He is especially passionate about safety and sustainability and is an active member of the broader maritime community through his work with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, UK Chamber of Shipping, Liberian Shipowners Council, SEA-LNG, Society for Gas as Marine Fuel, World Shipping Council, IMO World Maritime University, Cruise Safety and Sustainability Forum, and the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI).
He began his education in Submarine Nuclear Engineering and obtained his formal undergraduate education at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. During his service with the U.S. Coast Guard, he studied law and graduated with high honors from The George Washington University Law School.
