2013 4th Qtr Cruising Magazine

A GREAT CRUISE STARTS WITH A GREAT PORT.OR FOUR.Head toward a cruise destination both you and your passengers will appreciate. The four ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands o� er well-established cruise destinations with newly renovated and fully appointed facilities. Additionally, St. Croix offers highly efficient bunkering services. Plus, our white sand beaches, turquoise waters and picturesque towns o� er all the island experiences your passengers are looking for. For more information on the ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.viport.com and www.wico-vi.com.

“

F

©2013 U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

FREDERIKSTEDST. CROIX

GALLOWS BAY DOCKST. CROIX

WEST INDIAN COMPANYST. THOMAS

CROWN BAYST. THOMAS

800.372.USVI

DOMINICAN REPUBLICDOMINICAN REPUBLICHAS IT ALLHAS IT ALL

By land or by sea.

Fourth Quarter 2013 • Cruising Magazine 5

Micky ArisonChairmanCarnival Corporation

Karl L. HolzPresidentDisney Cruise Line

Richard E. SassoPresident & CEOMSC Cruises (USA) Inc.

Kevin SheehanFCCA Chairman,President & CEONorwegian Cruise Line

Stephen A. NielsenVice President,Caribbean & Atlantic Shore OperationsPrincess Cruises

Adam GoldsteinPresident & CEORoyal Caribbean International

Omari BreakenridgeDirector, Communications & Design

Terri CanniciVice President, Operations

Adam CeseranoSenior Vice President

Nathalia GomezMembership Administrator

James KazakoffManager, Event Operations

Jessica LalamaExecutive Assistant

Justin PaigeManager, Communications, Research & Marketing

Michele M. PaigePresident

40 St. Croix in Living Color

42 Dominica Caters to Cruise Passengers and Lines

44 Royal Caribbean International Expands Innovations and Guest Experiences on New

Oasis-Build and Quantum-Class

47 Carnival Cruise Lines’ Totally Transformed Carnival Sunshine Debuts in New Orleans

19 FCCA Foundation Delivers Holiday Cheer and Festivities to Deserving Children

22 20th Annual FCCA Conference and Trade Show: A Success for Colombia and All Attendees

27 2013 FCCA State of the Industry Keynote Address: “Destination’s Role In Product”By Wendy Beck, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Norwegian Cruise Line

31 Standing out from the Crowd… By Beth Kelly Hatt, Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence

37 St. Maarten: Host Destination for FCCA’s 2014 Conference & Trade Show

Cover photo:Baie de Terre

de Haut – Saintes

7 President’s Letter

10 Cruise Industry News & Platinum Highlights

62 Faces in the Industry

CRUISINGTHE FLORIDA-CARIBBEAN CRUISE ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

Fourth Quarter 2013

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)11200 Pines Blvd., Suite 201, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026Phone: (954) 441-8881 • Fax: (954) 441-3171Website: www.f-cca.com • E-mail: [email protected] Magazine © 2013 ~ All Rights Reserved.Reproduction in whole or in part, in any form, electronic or otherwise, without written permission of the FCCA is prohibited.

To subscribe or change your address, please send requeststo [email protected]

The information in this publication is provided "as is." FCCA and its Member Lines disclaim all representations and warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any information,services, products and materials contained herein. FCCA and its Member Lines will in no event be liable for any damage or losses as a result of your use of this publication.

FCCA Member LinesAIDA Cruises • Azamara Club Cruises • Carnival Cruise Lines • Celebrity Cruises • Costa Cruise Lines • Cunard Line

Disney Cruise Line • Holland America Line • MSC Cruises (USA) Inc. • Norwegian Cruise Line P&O Cruises • Princess Cruises • Royal Caribbean International • Seabourn • TUI Cruises

FCCA Staff

Departments

Features

SpotlightCover ImageExecutive Committee

FLORIDA-CARIBBEANCRUISEASSOCIATION

“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces workingtogether.” - James Cash Penney

A new year often prompts us to reflect on the past and look to thefuture. It forces us to focus on our expenses, successes, failuresand new and old opportunities while considering our strengthsand weaknesses.

Hopefully you see mostly successes and strengths and have waysto further build on them, but it can be equally important to bulkup our weaknesses. And there is always room for opportunitiesand improvement; after all, even the strongest muscles benefitfrom new exercises.

However, it is not through sudden, drastic change that trueprogress is made, but through long-term planning, goals andadaptation to the market. This is the foundation most businesses

are built on, and our fundaments cannot change. They should merely expand, and one of the best ways for suchexpansion is through partnerships and inside access and information to the inner workings of an industry.

This is what the FCCA offers through its numerous events, access to member lines and executives, up-to-dateinformation and trends, and much more. You can read about some of these resources and opportunities in thisedition of Cruising, such as gaining insight from pieces on the 20th annual FCCA Conference & Trade Show,which took place in Cartagena de Indias from September 30 – October 4, 2013 and had these objectives inmind with its meetings, workshops, functions and much more.

Other articles in this magazine grant insight from FCCA Member Line executives and partners, such asNorwegian Cruise Line’s CFO and executive vice president, Wendy Beck’s, the state of the industry address;a piece by Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence’s Beth Kelly Hatt, which is a must-read for any tour operator;and articles discussing new-builds, revitalizations—and the increased capacity and innovation—from CarnivalCruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.

Also highlighted are other past and upcoming FCCA successes, like the Holiday Gift Project, which deliversthousands of smiles to underprivileged children, and a spotlight on St. Maarten, the host destination for the2014 FCCA Conference & Trade Show.

So take a minute or hour to learn some of what the FCCA and its partners can offer to help you build strength, evenfrom weakness. During this time of reflection, think about how the FCCA can help you grow and move forwardthrough its opportunities, relationship building, inside access and knowledge of the industry’s inner-workings.

Respectfully yours,

Michele M. PaigePresidentFCCA


Michele meeting with Hon. Ted Richardson,Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs,Transportation and Telecommunication,

St. Maarten

President’s Letter

T. Younger Nicole PhelpsA None None None Scott Harris

1 BELIZE 14541 CS6 7-9-2013 6:11 PM 1 of 1

...ecutions:4_Assets_Prod:Print_Mechanical_Files:14541_BEL_FCCA_837x1087 Folder:14541_BEL_FCCA_837x1087.indd None 14576_Travel_Leisure_ad_837x1087.ai (100%)

FCCA None None None

8.37” x 10.87” 8.87” x 11.37” 1”=1”

tra

velb

elize

.org

Discover a place where tourists become travelers. And schedules are optional. Here, destinations can be located by map, but only found with the soul. The true Belize is discovered when you leave expectations behind, and simply be.

Bonaire Goes ‘Platinum’ with FCCA

A delegation from Bonaire led by Mr.Ethsel Pieternella, director of TourismCorporation Bonaire, reported success-ful results from its participation in the20th Annual FCCA Cruise Conference& Trade Show. The successful atten-dance also included the announcementof the new Platinum Membership statusfor Bonaire within the organization.

For the current 2013- 2014 peak wintercruise season, Bonaire is projectingapproximately 170,000 passengerarrivals, which is an increase of 20,000passengers compared to the previoushigh season. They anticipate 200,000 –250,000 total passenger arrivals for the2015 - 2016 season. With two cruiseship piers, Bonaire has the capacity toberth two large ships simultaneously.Additionally, Bonaire is consideringthe arrival of approximately 30,000extra passengers in the low season of2015, which runs May throughOctober.

“This year’s show has afforded ustremendous opportunities, from meet-ing with top executives of variouscruise lines to attending networkingfunctions. We were able to promoteBonaire as a viable and enticing cruisetourism destination,” commented Mr.Pieternella. “Extra one-on-one meet-ings and exclusive access that are ben-efits of our new Platinum status provid-ed us with additional platforms for dis-cussing the island’s cruise sector andour commitment to its further growthand development.” Appointments were

secured with Royal Caribbean Cruises,Ltd., and Celebrity Cruises, CarnivalCruise Lines, TUI Cruises, PrincessCruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Bonaire has recently undertaken a com-plete upgrade of Plaza Wilhelmina,located at one of the island’s cruisepiers. There are also numerous bars,shopping and dining outlets in andaround the Plaza as well as a wealth ofisland excursions available to cruise vis-itors—both above and below the water.

High Flying in the British VirginIslands

Suspended above the towering treesand hilltops on the mountainous islandof Tortola are nine unique traversesstretching between Mother Nature’ssturdiest support system: timber.Double hook lines and traverses com-prise an exhilarating canopy tour, a newisland adventure and attraction in theBritish Virgin Islands.

Built amongst the most vivid greeneryin the Caribbean, the Original VirginCanopy Tour—owned and operated byShirley Co. & Ltd.—is an adrenalinerush for those seeking to fly through theskies on an eco-friendly excursion.

Elevated approximately 920 feet abovethe ground, participants can grasp thesun, sand and sea via this breathtakingaerial perspective that includes viewsof nearby St. Croix, Norman Island,Peter Island, Deadman’s Chest,Flannigan Island and Anegada.

The hour-and-a-half-long journeyincludes a spectrum of color as oneglides above groves of Guavaberrytrees. If you’re lucky, those waiting foryou on the ground will greet you at thefinish line with a bucket of freshlypicked fruit.

Dominican Republic Hosts CruisePresentation in Miami to PromoteSanto Domingo

With the objective of positioning SantoDomingo as the cruise capital of theCaribbean, The Dominican RepublicMinistry of Tourism, Sans Soucí Portsand the Hotel Association of SantoDomingo hosted an event in Miamiwith cruise lines top executives, touroperators and industry press to show-case the destination’s port facilities,hotels and attractions.

Bearing the slogan “Santo Domingohas it”, these organizations showedguests the marvels of the oldest capitalin the New World, considered an eliteCaribbean destination for its potentialand uniqueness.

The presentation was made to the beatof Dominican jazz and a set depictingSanto Domingo’s charm and feel. Thepotential of the Dominican capital wasshowcased in detail, highlighting itsallure: beaches, natural attractions, his-tory, entertainment, music, sports andgolf, dining, shopping, hotel accommo-dations, events and conventions, andtwo modern cruise terminals.

10 Cruising Magazine • Fourth Quarter 2013

Cruise Industry News & Platinum Highlights


The presentation also featured theexclusive excursions program for seg-mented cruise travelers, views of thecity and historical, cultural, ecological,adventure and sports tours.

What’s New in Grenada’s Tourism

The Grenada Board of Tourism isimplementing a new strategy to bringstructure and cohesion to the island’stourism industry. It will reposition theGrenada tourism industry to takeadvantage of the new opportunities thatare anticipated as the global economyrebounds. December 16, 2013 willmark the commencement of theGrenada Tourism Authority. It replacesthe 22-year-old Grenada Board ofTourism.

De Couvrez Spice Island Petting Zoois a newly established attraction nextto the Cabier Ocean Lodge in Crochu,St. Andrew. It is already gaining noticefor its donkey rides and more than 60animals.

Hotel NewsSandals Resorts International is on tar-get to expand its offerings through theSandals La Source Resort, which isscheduled to open on December 12,2013 with 225 rooms.

A news release from the GrenadaGovernment speaks of the possibility of3 five-star hotels being built on theGrand Anse Beach within the next 3years. Egyptian billionaire and busi-nessman Naguib Sawiris is in discus-sion with the government to invest inthe island’s tourism sector.

Work continues on the construction of265 units at the Bacolet Bay project onthe eastern coast of Grenada. Presently,7 units are being built. More than 100units have already been reserved bypotential buyers.

La Luna continues its expansion projectof 35 rooms being added in the form of7 villas.

The Grenada Grand Beach Resort hasbeen renamed and rebranded on thebasis of its affiliation with the RadissonHotels & Resorts brand. It is nowreferred to as the Radisson GrenadaBeach Resort.

Dolphin Cove Expands to GrandTurk

With three world-class operations inJamaica and one in Grand Cayman,Dolphin Cove is proud to be expandinginto Grand Turk. This park will boastour signature all natural dolphinlagoons. Here, guests will have theunique opportunity to interact with fas-cinating dolphins, gentle stingrays andfearsome sharks! We plan to open byDecember 2014!

Dolphin Cove, the Caribbean’s # 1attraction, is also proud to have beenawarded the Caribbean’s LeadingAdventure Tourist Attraction for 2013by the World Travel Awards. With thisaward Dolphin Cove is pleased to boastbeing a third-time winner of the WorldTravel Awards, after being awarded theCaribbean’s Leading AdventureExcursion Operator in both 2011 and2012. This is truly a great honor thatDolphin Cove attributes to their manysupporting partners and well-trainedemployees.

Dolphin Cove is committed to the suc-

cess of the tourism industry and willcontinue to strive to be among theworld’s leading excursions.

Guadeloupe Islands’ News of theSeason!

The 2013-2014 cruise season will beone of the best of the FrenchArchipelago of Guadeloupe Islands!

• We will receive over 300,000 passen-gers from many several cruise lines, suchas Costa Crociere, MSC Crociere,Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival UK.

• Guadeloupe Islands: Europe’s home-port in the Caribbean!

• 2 ships homeporting—CostaMediterranea and Costa Magica !

• 1 ship interporting—MSC Musica,bigger than last year!

• 2 million US dollars will be investedfor a new cruise terminal!

The Port of Authority made a big invest-ment to build a second cruise terminalwith optimal facilities to receive thecruise lines in the best conditions. Thework is completely finished and will beopen at the end of November 2013.

- Special training to improve services!

The Tourism Board is working on sev-eral programs to train guides and taxidrivers; to improve our welcome; andgive to the passengers the best services.




Guatemala Promotes Clean Tourismand Names Tourism Ambassador

During the month of October,Guatemala Tourism Board (INGUAT),Empresa Portuaria Quetzal andGuatemalan Olympic delegates held aspecial event to promote clean beaches,recycling, litter-free environments andtourism destinations. They gathered atthe cruise terminal at Puerto Quetzaland at the beach of Puerto de San Jose,where Erick Barrondo, GuatemalaOlympic silver medalist, London 2012,was named tourism ambassador byINGUAT. Important sport figures, localauthorities, members of theGuatemalan Olympic delegation, andgeneral public attended the event,where they heard Erick Barrondo speakabout the importance of keeping cleanbeaches, green area and tourism desti-nations free of litter. During this eventneighbors were invited to be part of thelocal committee in charge of imple-menting and following up good prac-tices and attitudes towards clean beach-es and cruise destinations. After theevent bumper stickers with the legend“Turismo por Tradición – Porteño deCorazón” were given out.

Fidelio Cruise Completes Second“Live” Installation AboardHurtigruten Vessel

The MS Polarlys, the second of twelvevessels in Hurtigruten’s fleet, went“live” with new software installationsfrom German cruise IT specialistFidelio Cruise on September 10th. She

is the second vessel in the Norwegiancoastal cruise company’s fleet to haveFidelio Cruise systems installed, fol-lowing the first IT upgrade onboard theMS Kong Harald in January 2013. Thecompany’s ten other vessels are due tohave similar installations between nowand the end of 2014.

The installation process involvedreplacing Hurtigruten’s previous ship-board systems with Fidelio Cruise soft-ware, enabling significantly more func-tionality onboard the vessels and pro-viding the potential for improvementsto both operating efficiency and passen-ger service levels.

Ms. Sigrid Hov Fodnæss, Hurtigruten’sICT Project Manager, comments: “Weare pleased with progress to date, andwe have already been able to demon-strate how this innovative IT can helpto improve onboard and shore-sideoperations. We look forward to com-pleting the remaining installations inthe months ahead.”

Costa Rica Kicks Off an AmazingCruise Season

Costa Rica is strengthening its cruiseindustry. “We have concentrated ourefforts on improving port infrastructureand amenities available to passengers,”said Allan Flores, minister of tourism,Costa Rica Tourism Board. The arrivalof Princess Cruises’ Island Princess tothe Port of Limón marked the start of acruise season filled with new arrivals,partnerships and improvements that

support the destination’s offerings. Thiswas the first of 64 ships expected toarrive in the port city, 12 percent morethan last year. Costa Rica alsoannounced a cooperative partnershipwith Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, aswell as a Mesoamerican regional agree-ment that has been implemented.

For the first time, countries in theregion have developed a partnershipwith cruise lines worldwide to intro-duce new routes throughout the Pacific.The new route, named Amazing Pacificbegins in Janaury 2014. Costa Rica hasa port in Limon on its Caribbean sideand two on the Pacific, Caldera andPuntarenas.

F o r m o r e n e w s v i s i t :www.VisitCostaRica.com.

Onboard Media Unveils LatestEditions of Lifestyle Magazines for2013-14 Caribbean Season

Exclusive interviews with basketballsuperstar Dwyane Wade, Hollywood A-lister Jessica Alba and environmentaladvocate and grandson of JacquesCousteau, Philippe Cousteau Jr., areexamples of the rich content found inthe latest editions of Discover Style cre-ated for Princess Cruises and Style forAll created for Carnival Cruise Lines byOnboard Media. Along with interviewsand articles on fashion, wine and cul-ture, there are pages of shopping inspi-ration featuring custom onboard photoshoots showcasing products sold in thecruise lines’ onboard shops. The mag-

azines have also gotten deluxe treat-ment with a new larger format andpaper upgrade.

Discover Style and Style for All areannual lifestyle magazines featuringtrends in fashion, jewelry, food and cul-ture published by Onboard Media, aleading provider of customized, inte-grated media for the global travelindustry. The magazines are designedto inspire readers to shop while cruisingand are created in collaboration withthe cruise lines and the Onboard Mediasales team, ensuring all advertisers areproperly featured. www.onboardme-dia.com

8th Annual Bacardi CruiseCompetition Winner Savors theTaste of Victory

Winner for a second consecutive year,Adri Ford of Carnival Cruise Lines hashad an extraordinary cocktail journeysince she was named the 8th annualBacardi Cruise Competition’sBartender of the Year. Herwinning recipe, the Bacardi® OakheartCaribbean Hideaway, featured the exot-ic combination of basil, pineapple, limeand monin chipotle and was inspired bythe essence and flavors of theCaribbean.

As Bartender of the Year, BacardiTravel Retail sent Ford to Tales of theCocktail in New Orleans to expand hereducation and perspective on the art ofmixology. With excitement still linger-ing, Ford then participated in the GQ

Most Imaginative Bartender Finals inLas Vegas, where she met 50 world-class bartenders also vying for the title.

The 9th Bacardi Cruise Competition is setto launch in December 2013, with thrillingnew twists inspired by Ford’s experience.Check in for updates on the competitionat Bacardicruisecompetition.com.

Progreso Expands Its CruiseTerminal Services

The Port of Yucatan (Progreso) is cur-rently offering a better experience forcruise lines by integrating new attrac-tive services, which include accessibili-ty for hull cleaning works, mooring andunmooring of food supplies and incin-eration services for organic waste dis-posal.

The Port has also been working on newprojects that include the refurbishmentof the handcrafts market, the construc-tion of a new beach tourist corridor andthe upcoming opening of a new beach-front marketplace.

The Port of Yucatan is not only theGateway to the Mayan World; it hasa strategic location in the YucatanPeninsula, connecting with main USports in just a few hours. It is con-sidered the 6th largest cruise port inMexico, equipped with all neces-sary amenities for visitors andcruise lines, such as: shops, tourguides, bars, taxi services, immigra-tion offices, customs facilities andmore.

Acapulco Invests $200 Million inRenovations

Acapulco, Mexico’s largest and mostdazzling seaside resort, is investing$200 million in the renovation and revi-talization of its Traditional Zone,Acapulco’s most celebrated and iconicneighborhood and home to the leg-endary La Quebrada cliff divers, theHotel Flamingos and the retro-chicHotel Boca Chica.

As part of the revitalization project, thePort of Acapulco has made improve-ments to the walkways for embarka-tion/debarkation. The sidewalks in thedowntown area have been widened toaccommodate visitors in wheelchairsand prepare for the new state-of-the-artdestination-wide transportation systemknown as ACABus, which will provideservice from the Traditional Zone to theDiamante Zone and is expected tolaunch in 2014.

Also new for cruise passengers is thefamous House of Winds. The home ofDolores Olmedo—close friend of cele-brated Mexican muralist DiegoRivera—is officially open to the public.This is one of the most important cul-tural attractions in the destination, as ithouses the last 6 murals by Rivera,including a naturally colored Aztec ser-pent mosaic on the mansion’s façade.

For more information on Acapulco,please visit http://acapulco.triangu-lodelsol.travel/.

Balmoral Island: The Place WhereHeaven Touches Earth


There is one destination that will put asmile in your soul that will last forever:Balmoral Island.

Here dolphins are kings, and you cantouch, play and swim with them. Youwill have the time of your life!

Sun will caress your skin as you relaxand sip on one of the many tropicaldrinks in our cabanas, pool, or paradisi-acal beaches.

Snorkeling will open your eyes to thebest underwater surprises you canimagine. Our stingray encounter willput you side-by-side with these exoticcreatures in a wave of excitement.

Come visit us. Let us show you theplace where everything seems to be sur-real—where dolphins are kings, andyou are part of their court; a uniqueplace where heaven touches earth. Sayno more; come to Balmoral Island.

The Iconic Atlantis Resort to Open inSanya on Hainan, PRC

Fosun International Limited (togeth-er with its subsidiaries, “Fosun”)—the leading non-state owned enter-prise in China—has entered into anagreement with Kerzner InternationalHoldings Limited (“Kerzner”)—aleading international developer andoperator of destination resorts, casi-nos and luxury hotels—for a new,cutting-edge Atlantis resort along theHaitang Bay National Coast. Thiswill be the first Atlantis resort in

China and only the third Atlantisworldwide.

Overlooking the stunning South ChinaSea, Atlantis will offer a sense of awe-inspiring discovery, encompassing over62 hectares of unparalleled excitementand larger than life experiences, revolu-tionary water play in AquaventureWaterpark, exotic marine exhibits andincredible dining experiences. Alreadya leading holiday destination, the islandwill be transformed into the new centerfor entertainment in China with theaddition of this new trailblazing land-mark. Architectural and conceptualplanning is underway for Atlantis,Sanya Hainan and construction willbegin by the end of 2013 and will becomplete in 2016.

For more, please visit: www.atlantis-sanya.com

Trinity Announces Exciting Changes

Trinity enters into the fourth quarterwith some exciting new changes.Trinity’s new hangar located at FortLauderdale Executive Airport is near-ing completion. The 10,000-square-foot hangar’s completion is expected bythe end of 2013.

This October Trinity received IS-BAOLevel 2 Accreditation. TheInternational Standard for BusinessAircraft Operations (IS-BAO) is aworldwide aviation organization thatgives credentials only to companiesthat meet IS-BAO’s high standards of

corporate professionalism and safetyculture.

Trinity also received the prestigiousGold Rating from ARGUSInternational. Argus is the only ratingsystem in the industry that provides anindependent, third party, factuallybased rating on an operator’s actualsafety history. Only those companiesthat meet ARGUS high safety standardsreceive ARGUS Ratings. Argus Ratingrecognition provides clients the infor-mation needed to make informed deci-sions and manage risk when selectingan aircraft operator.

FONATUR Operadora Portuaria,S.A. de C.V. has good news from itsports’ administrations:

The Port of Cabo San Lucas now has aCrew Club, which is a space designedfor the cruise crewmembers to rest onland. The idea is to offer one more ser-vice to the cruise lines and strengthenits commitment with characteristicquality and attention.

Cabo San Lucas offers free WiFiInternet connection to increase comfortwhile at the port. An additional networkhas information of local serviceproviders and brands, products and ser-vice promotions to cruisers, crewmem-bers and visitors.

Another reason to visit the Port ofHuatulco is the Copalita Eco-Archeological Park, located just 15minutes from the docking area.



Copalita, is the newest attraction ofHuatulco, with a completed first phaseconsisting of rescued temples, ruins,and a ball game patio dating back to thePre-Classic and Post-Classic (400 BC-1521 AD) period. The park also offers amuseum, cafeteria, and a complemen-tary visitor’s post.

Thomas Kenna Elected AACCLAVice-Chair

Former president of the PanamaChamber of Shipping (2003-2005)and the American Chamber ofCommerce (2009), Thomas Kenna, waselected to the position of vice-chair ofthe Association of American Chambersof Commerce of Latin America & theCaribbean (AACCLA) during therecent Board of Governors meetingheld in Washington, DC. Thomas hasserved three consecutive terms as vicepresident of AACCLA’s GoverningBoard.

Thomas is president and director gener-al of Panama Canal Railway Company,a longstanding FCCA PlatinumMember.

For nearly a century, the AmericanChambers of Commerce (AmChams)have been one of the most influentialvoices of U.S. business in LatinAmerica and the Caribbean. Todayjoined under AACCLA, these 23AmChams represent more than 20,000companies and over 80 percent of allU.S. investment in the region.

Acting in partnership with the U.S.Chamber of Commerce—the world’slargest business federation—AACCLAhas become a premier advocate for U.S.business in the Americas. AACCLA’smission is to promote trade and invest-ment between the U.S. and the coun-tries of the region through free trade,free markets, and free enterprise.

Jimmy Buffett’s MargaritavilleCozumel: Live a Whole ExperienceWhile on the Island

EAT-DRINK-SNORKEL-SWIM &SHOP

On the beautiful island of Cozumel, andover the turquoise crystal-clearCaribbean waters of Mexico, you willfind one of Jimmy Buffett´s best loca-tions.

Stunning view, great food, amazingcocktails and free snorkeling.

Part of the international phenomenonstarted by the famous US singer-song-writer, you will find great entertain-ment, a big dining area and an excellentvariety of live sports broadcasting.

Towels and swimming for the deck andwater park are also free.

You can lie in the sun and hold up yourhand when you’re thirsty, or join in theparty action. Getting too hot? Go for aswim!

If you arrive on a cruise ship,Margaritaville is only a short 10-minuteride from any pier or even walking-dis-tance from Punta Langosta Pier.

The weather is here!

Playa Mia Grand Beach & WaterPark expands

In a continuous growth impulse,Playa Mia Grand Beach & Water Parkexpands its fun-filled offer with anew attraction, the amazing FloatingPark!

The biggest floating attraction in theCaribbean and the only of its kind inCozumel, this new addition to PlayaMia’s variety of included amenitiesaims for the adrenaline seekers. Kidscan enjoy bouncing on the inflatabletrampolines, launch off using the watercatapult or sliding down the aquatic ice-berg, the ramp makes it easy to get backon “The Floating Park”.

With many projects to come, Playa Mianot only remains in the forefront of thetourism offer in Cozumel, but also con-tinuously sets new standards of qualityand entertainment for all of our guests. Stand by for the unveiling of PlayaMia’s new project to be launched in theupcoming months!

At Playa Mia Grand Beach & WaterPark, the fun never ends!



THERE’S A REASON IT’S CALLED THE CRUISE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.IT IS.

Modern cruising was invented at Por tMiami. Today, we are the global headquar ters for the

world’s largest cruise lines and proud to be the home por t of the world’s most excit ing and modern

cruise ships. For i t inerar ies to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, and beyond, Por tMiami

will always be the Cruise Capital of the World! For more

in fo rma t i on , p lease v i s i t w w w.miamidade.gov/po r tmiami

B

Mount Pelée is just one of Martinique’s many attractions! Find your perfect day trip at martiniquepro.org/cruise

For the past 18 years, the HolidayGift Project has given underpriv-ileged children a chance to cele-

brate the holiday season. The FCCAFoundation comes together with theFCCA Member Lines and its crews,along with many within the partneringdestinations, to bring presents and holi-day festivities to deserving children.

“We are pleased of the good work thatthe FCCA Foundation has been doingfor the past 18 years,” said KevinSheehan, CEO of Norwegian CruiseLine and chairman of the FCCA. “It’simportant to take care of children inneed, and it’s gratifying to see theFoundation continue to grow and part-ner with charities who have childrenthat are counting on them for some hol-iday cheer.”

In December 2013, nearly 7,000 chil-dren throughout 33 Caribbean andLatin American destinations will truly

shout out with glee because of thisproject.

The FCCA Foundation contributes giftsthat were selected for age groups andgenders by the destinations. MemberLines then loaded the gifts onboardtheir vessels, serving as Santa (some ofwhich actually dressed as Old St. Nick)as they brought the gifts to the partner-ing destinations, where holiday partiesand festivities were set up to deliver thepresents, smiles and holiday cheer.

“On behalf of all of us at PrincessCruises, we are honored and privilegedto bring a little holiday cheer into the

lives of some of those who could use alittle cheer, especially at this specialtime of the year,” told Stephen Nielsen,vice president, Caribbean & Atlanticshore operations, Princess Cruises.

It is true that the cheer is needed andappreciated by all, even those assisting.How could they not cherish deliveringa toy and smile to a child who wouldhave no present otherwise?

“I can say that St. Maarten is verygrateful to the FCCA member lines forthe many years they have been bringingholiday cheer to the faces of our chil-dren. We have coordinated and partici-


“It’s important to take care of children in need, and it’sgratifying to see the Foundation continue to grow andpartner with charities who have children that are countingon them for some holiday cheer.” – Kevin Sheehan, FCCAChairman & Norwegian Cruise Line CEO

FCCA Foundation Delivers Holiday Cheerand Festivities to Deserving Children

pated in the Holiday Gift Program forover 10 years, and we find it to be avery worthy cause. In more recentyears, the inclusion of the DisneyCharacters have taken this event to aneven higher level, particularly for thoseunderprivileged kids who may neverget the opportunity to visit DisneyWorld,” told Gus Priest, director ofproduct development cruise and visitorservices for St. Maarten.

Priest touches on some of the impor-tance behind the festivities and why it issuch a moral success for all involved—it simply let kids enjoy being kids, aconcept that seems simple, but is most-ly unknown to children in the sheltersand homes that the project benefits. Butthat is why this project exists, and itsimportance is shown in every smile.

Michele Paige, president of the FCCA,also recognizes this: “The FCCAHoliday Gift Project brings happinessto children who truly deserve it. Thecruise industry is proud to give back tothe communities of the destinations we

call, and I cannot think of a morerewarding way than bringing cheer andaid to children who need it.”

Margaret Jones, manager of visitorrelations for Jamaica Tourist Board,observed this as well when explainingthe project and its long history inJamaica:

The FCCA Holiday Gift Project hasbrought smiles to the faces of hundredsof Jamaican children. Since its incep-tion, the FCCA has lived up to its com-mitment....providing toys for the chil-dren who are less fortunate. Over theyears, the Ministry of Tourism and theJamaica Tourist Board have joined withthe FCCA and its member lines to makethe gift giving a wonderful experience.Each year, the selected children arefeted and fed! They are entertained, andthe “icing on the cake” is getting theirgift from “Santa!”

We at the Jamaica Tourist Board havebeen the facilitators of this wonderfulevent, and each year we look forward to

working with the FCCA to make this agreat experience for the children.

It is certainly clear that the gifts areselected with great thought and careeach year, and the squeals of delightfrom the children tell of their happi-ness.

The FCCA Gift Project has definitelybeen a wonderful expression of reach-ing out and working with the ports andcommunities that its Member Linesvisit through the year. The experienceof attending a Christmas party on acruise ship is as exciting as it gets; forthese children it’s pure joy.

This also encapsulates the overall pur-pose of the FCCA Foundation exists—to improve the lives of those less fortu-nate throughout the Caribbean andLatin America, primarily for children’scauses. Every smile is a reminder ofthis mandate and is more than worth theover $3 million provided for causes andprojects like these over theFoundation’s 20-year existence.


The 20th annual FCCA Conference & Trade Showattracted over 1,000 professionals from throughoutthe cruise industry and the private and public sec-

tors of cruise destinations, along with anyone looking toextend their contact base, reach and/or knowledge in theindustry.

The audience assembled in Caragena de Indias, Colombiafrom September 30 – October 4, 2013 for a four-day spanof hands-on and engaging meetings, functions and work-shops with the prestigious crowd of nearly 100 cruiseexecutives, presidents and CEOs, as well as the tradeshow itself, which presented the chance to capture theaudience of the Caribbean’s largest cruise conference andtrade show.

One-on-one meetings offered attendees a chance to pickthe brains of and pitch products to cruise executives fromvarious departments, including operations, purchasing,marketing, and shore excursions. Attendees are allowedthree separate one-on-one meetings with cruise executivesthat they select, allowing prime face time with some of thecruise line’s most important decision makers—those thatdecide what goes onboard and where ships call. Thisgrants one of the best opportunities to provide input onhow to increase cruise industry business, or simply sharetheir business model. This is perhaps why Mathew Sams,vice president of Caribbean relations for Holland AmericaLine said, “To me, the Conference was memorable, kindof a give-and-take experience, sharing each others’ ideasand perceptions.”


20th Annual FCCA Conference and Trade Show:

A Success for Colombia and All Attendees

However, the ceremonies and evening functions couldhave also led to some of these exchanges. ProexportColombia proved the answer was Colombia to the ques-tion of who could create such stunning settings, com-plete with traditional music and food. Yet the engagingenvironments offered more than pure amusement; theygave additional chances to target the cruise executivesand other industry players to foster communications anddevelop valuable business relationships. Additionally,attendees could connect with the prominent stakeholdersin attendance, including successful tour operators, desti-nations’ private sectors—complete with their minis-ters—and even the president of the Republic ofColombia, His Excellency Juan Santos Calderon, whoopened the Conference. And information also provedvaluable with the keynote State of the Industry Addressby Wendy Beck, CFO and executive vice president ofNorwegian Cruise Lines.

Workshops granted insight into the current trends of thecruise industry and the Caribbean and Latin Americanregion. Panels of cruise executives and knowledgeable fieldleaders shed their wisdom and advice in topics including aitinerary planning and how to increase destinations’ calls;development of destinations’ brand identity; customer satis-faction and marketability; critical elements of shore excur-sions’ service and safety; and a CEO/presidents roundtablethat focused on the latest and upcoming trends through vet-ted audience questions.

The annual FCCA Trade Show offered exposure to over 100companies, giving them the stage for the audience of thecruise executives, presidents and CEOs, as well as the atten-dees themselves. This publicity offered a unique, tailoredapproach to this exclusive crowd focused on doing businesswith the cruise industry. After all, many executives use theevent as an annual opportunity to source new business and


expand existing business. This focus led to a great diversityof exhibitors, from tour/port operators and countries’ tourismcompanies to mattresses and produce.

And there was increased attention and attendance for special-ized pavilions—designed for a destination to come togetheras one entity to present their numerous destination products,stakeholders, infrastructure and more.

Indeed, the FCCA Conference and Trade Show again grant-ed the best chance for entities doing or wishing to do businesswith the cruise industry to increase their contact base withcruise executives; present their destination or product; andlearn what cruise lines seek in shore excursions, products,services, destinations and ports of call. It helped attendeesestablish a clear vision that will map the road to success infuture dealings with the cruise industry, all while showingColombia’s answers to tourism.

“The FCCA Conference & Trade Show is truly our mostimportant event,” told Michele Paige, president of the FCCA.“It gives attendees a chance to meet with, learn from and dis-play their product to some of the most influential people inthe industry, all while having a wealth of other networkingand informational opportunities.”

In all, the direct line of communication to and insight from the FCCAMember Line representatives is the Conference & Trade Show’smost important feature and inherent in all its proceedings. The FCCAprides itself in joining cruise destinations’ private and public sectorswith FCCA Member Line executives. It is a symbiotic relationshipbetween them; the more that the destinations and companies progressand learn about the industry, the more that the industry is able to growand thrive. The FCCA promotes this mutually beneficial connectionin most of its operations, and it will offer the same opportunities andadvantages during the 21st annual FCCA Conference & Trade Showin St. Maarten from October 6 – 10, 2014.


Thank you[Michele]. It’s an

honor and a pleasure to be here tonight. I’d like to start offby thanking the FCCA for inviting me to speak at this 20thannual conference and trade show. I’d also like to thank ourhosts, Proexport Colombia for their hospitality and generosi-ty. Cartagena is an incredible locale for this conference andthe city encompasses much of what makes Caribbean desti-nations so special: a rich history along with a mix of culturesbound together by a long tradition of warmth and hospitality.

I was asked by Michele to speak to you today about theimportant role destinations play in the cruise industry. All ofus in this room know how important stimulating, enrichingand entertaining ports of call are to the cruise industry’s over-all product offering and guest experience. It’s a symbioticand mutually beneficial relationship. Cruise lines would notexist if there weren’t interesting destinations for guests tovisit. And destinations rely on cruise lines to bring guestswho, when presented with a memorable experience, are apt toreturn on a dedicated visit.

This relationship will only blossom further as the industry

continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Whichever way youlook at it: whether in terms of the number of brands, theamount of capacity, the quantity of guests or, most relevant-ly, the increase in feasible destinations…cruising is growing.In each of these cases there is a challenge to capture guests’attention. New brands coming into the market must differ-entiate themselves from the pack. And increases in capacityare coming in the form of the most innovative newbuilds todate. Destinations are no different. The number of destina-tions reached by cruise lines is higher than ever before, andmany of these hot new destinations are seeing double digitannual capacity increases. That leaves the traditional desti-nations of the Caribbean in a conundrum. The region is still


“Destination’s Role In Product”

By Wendy Beck, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President,Norwegian Cruise Line

STATe o F The InduSTr y

“Whichever way you look at it: whetherin terms of the number of brands, theamount of capacity, the quantity ofguests or, most relevantly, the increasein feasible destinations…cruising isgrowing.”

the market leader in destinations, but it is slowly losingcapacity to other areas.

But there is hope.

Let me tell you a story. It’s one that I’ve had the privilege tobe a part of. In 1966, a couple of gentlemen from Norwaytook a ferry originally set for use in the Mediterranean andinstead decided to bring her to Miami to offer cruises to theCaribbean. This type of vacation was unheard of at the time,but an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit drove the endeav-or forward. These round-trip cruises on a tiny ferry becamethe genesis for the modern cruise industry. That companyeventually became known as Norwegian Cruise Line and fora time it was the industry leader. But somewhere along theway things went a bit off course. Acquisitions and divesti-tures left the company in a weakened position. An unwield-ly and convoluted commission structure led to a strain in rela-tionships with travel agents. And a confusing brand messagethat focused on what the product offering was not, instead offocusing on what made it unique made guests unsure of whatto expect. Throughout those years the company remainedinnovative, turning out innovative ships and other offerings,but it was missing something, something that would make ittruly excel. In essence, Norwegian was resting on its past.

This story may resonate with many here. Many destinationsrepresented here have been on the traditional Caribbeanitinerary since 1966. Many deservedly so. However, likewhat was once the industry innovator, those destinations runthe risk of resting on their past only to be on their way tobeing considered irrelevant.

The Norwegian story changed dramatically beginning fiveyears ago. Under new leadership headed by a certain gentle-man who also happens to be FCCA’s current chairman, weforged a new path. The first step was to take a good hard lookat the company, something that Jim Collins in his book Goodto Great calls confronting the brutal facts. It wasn’t easy, andthere were many aspects of the business that just weren’tworking. The two examples I gave you earlier regardingtravel agents and brand message were two of the matters wetackled immediately. After years of strain we turned aroundour relationship with travel agents under a program calledPartners First. And we adjusted our brand message to focuson the freedom and flexibility that makes a Norwegian cruiseunique. The result of these changes, along with a slew of oth-ers, has been the turnaround of a venerable brand to becomea true competitor and a voice in the industry. And the com-pany that five years ago was not taken seriously became one

of the most successful initial public offerings of 2013.

I’ve glossed over much of the hard work that went into get-ting Norwegian to this point, but what I wanted you to takeaway from this analogy are three things:

One: No matter how big or small a destination you are,do not rest on your laurels. While you’re resting,you’re leaving the door open not only for a neighbor-ing destination, but one on the other side of the worldto lure your capacity away.

Two: no matter how big or small a destination you are,do not be afraid to confront the brutal facts. Only bydoing so will you be able to tackle what needs to bedone to become more competitive.

And lastly, look at the landscape for opportunities. AtNorwegian we viewed the processes of strengtheningrelationships with travel agents and changing the brandmessage as opportunities to demonstrate not only toour partners and guests our ability to change, but alsoas a way to energize our employees and demonstratethat we meant business. The momentum from theseand other initiatives continues to this day with a work-force that is prouder than ever to be Norwegian.

In the case of destinations, while cruise brands have diversi-fied where we sail, we have also diversified where we source.A larger and larger percentage of our guests are coming fromoutside of North America, which means a larger percentage ofyour visitors are coming from other parts of the world. Thatmakes this an opportune time to look at your brand and brandmessage and ensure it is being delivered in the way you wantto a population that may not be familiar with your country orculture. Start by setting a vision for what you want to beknown for. Again, look at the brutal facts and address areasthat need improvement. Lastly choose the pillars that you willstand behind, look at your competitive advantages, protectingthe ones that are long term and preparing for when the shortterm ones weaken and are eventually lost.

The Caribbean has much to offer. Its advantages as far aslocation, diversity of destinations, natural beauty and wel-coming residents is difficult to match. But complacency isthe enemy of progress, and like the story I shared with you,being a legacy in the industry isn’t enough. I hope you’lltake these lessons to heart. They will hopefully allow you andthe region to make the most out of our industry’s growth inthe years to come.


South Florida’s Powerhouse Port

THE POWER OF A PREMIER CRUISE PORT

powerful new ways. Vin just 15 minutes. Yfully scalable. Wbr We’reeze. We’re just two miles frThere are so many r


porteverglades.netpowerful new ways. Visit

Year nutes. Year-round berthing available. Discover how Port Ever We can accommodate any size ship or passenger volume, moving passengers fr . We can accommodate an

e just two miles from FLL intere so many reasons to choose Port Ever


or call 800-421-0188.porteverglades.net

ound berthing available. Discover how Port Evere can accommodate any size ship or passenger volume, moving passengers fr

om FLL international airport, and minutes freasons to choose Port Everglades. Our moder


ound berthing available. Discover how Port Everglades propels your business forware can accommodate any size ship or passenger volume, moving passengers fr

national airport, and minutes from world-famous beaches. Plus, we’rglades. Our modern, efficiently operated terminals make transit a


opels your business forward in e can accommodate any size ship or passenger volume, moving passengers from curb to ship

om world-famous beaches. Plus, we’re n, efficiently operated terminals make transit a


powerful new ways. V

porteverglades.netpowerful new ways. Visit

or call 800-421-0188.porteverglades.net

s P’FloridaSouth

owerhouse s P trPo

Shore experiences play such a significant role in a cruiseline’s decision to call on a port that it is critical to payattention to our shore excursion programs – whether a

destination, an attraction or a tour operator. So how do wemaximize opportunities and deliver what the cruise lines arelooking for?

Often today in destinations, several of the shore excursionshave been the same since they were introduced many yearsago, and many feature just one product or service provider.Finding ways to innovate, add value, and differentiate ourtours can make us stand out from the crowd. There are impor-tant questions to ask from our own destination’s perspective

to give us a good starting point for developing shore excur-sions that work.

• Where are the gaps in the shore excursion program in your destination?

• Where are the opportunities for new tours?• How can we refresh an “old favorite” to increase sales?• Should we stop operating a tour? How do we know?• Would forming a profitable partnership give us new

opportunities?• And where does customer service and risk management

come into the equation?


The following is an excerpt from the “Revitalizing your ShoreExcursions” Workshop at the 20th FCCA Conference in Colombia,which was presented to a packed room of tour operators and destinationslooking for tips to revitalize their product offerings and delivery.

Standing out from the Crowd…

By Beth Kelly Hatt, Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence

To start off, ask who your customer is and what they arelooking for. Not all cruise lines are the same or interestedin the same products. As an example, the niche cruisemarket does not always want the same experiences as themega ships – but sometimes, programs will cross over allcruise types.

Passengers today want a “wow” experience. They want tohave fun, be entertained or learn something new. Theywant to “touch and feel” your destination. And the tourguide is the key person to make that happen for the guest.That is why the tour guide plays such an important role inensuring these ship visits continue for years into the future.This makes staff training and development critical to suc-cess for a destination. Appearance and first impressionsmake such an impact – and how easy and inexpensive is itto smile or anticipate a guest’s needs? And that is just thebeginning when it comes to ways the tour guide canenhance the guest experience.

Ask yourself how to create “wow” experience combinations,the ones you remember long after you’ve arrived back home.That’s what sets us apart in the competitive tourism market-place. Think about how you can create and build momentsalong the way that make you and your tour product stand out.Consumers today look for experiences that touch the senses.They want to swap stories with locals and make a connectionto a place they can’t get anywhere else. If you were to askyourself what you remember about your most recent vaca-tion, chances are it would be something or someone thattouched your heart.

So where do we start? Here are some ideas:• Go on your own tour and watch guest reactions and look

for “wow” opportunities • Go on a “Best Practice” and see how another port

works• Research other ports’ offerings and see what might work

in your destination

Look at your destination as well others on the cruise itineraryand ask yourself:• Where are the gaps?• Where are the duplicates? • What is missing?• Can you improve existing product?

Offering the same tour as others in your destination will onlydilute the tour numbers, and then everyone loses – so askinstead: • Where are the opportunities?• What is indigenous to your destination?

What sometimes seems ordinary to us is what intrigues theguest! Is there an opportunity in these examples:• Local meals or cooking classes?• Behind the scenes?• Learning a local craft?• Taking part in a local activity?

And when it comes to safety and managing risk, there isnothing like being prepared – and to be prepared for abso-lutely every eventuality. Speak to your insurance providerand get feedback on your procedures and processes. Trainingalso helps this preparation, from safety to service. There aretools available from your insurance provider, like AON, fromthe care teams, from Aquila’s Tour Guide InternationalCertification and Tour Operator ACE Designation… all toolsto help you to stand out from the crowd.

Excellent companies don’t believe in excellence; theybelieve only in constant improvement and change! Changeis an opportunity and not a threat – even though we often seeit that way. So action is up to you! What is it that can make adifference in your organization or have an impact on yourbusiness and make you stand out from the crowd?

Beth Kelly Hatt is Director of Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence and can be reached at [email protected]


Port of Houston AuthorityBayport Cruise Terminal | Pasadena, Texas

HOUSTON: WHERE YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS… Embark on your next Caribbean cruise from a World Class City where there is no shortage of things to do, places to go or events to experience. Whether dining at one of our fine restaurants, shopping at unique stores, visiting the NASA Space Center or enjoying the attractions at the Kemah Boardwalk and the Bay Area, you will find Houston outstanding in culture, ambience, sophistication, and non-stop entertainment all year round.

The Bayport Cruise Terminal, located in the city of Pasadena, Texas, just 30 minutes from downtown Houston, offers a one-of-a-kind experience with efficient and exceptional services including stress-free embarkation process and easy access to two airports — George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU). Visit portofhouston.com/cruise for information on the upcoming cruise services and visitbayareahouston.com and visithouston.com for information on the region and local attractions.

St. Maarten’s Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and CargoFacilities is the Caribbean’s leader in innovation andpassenger satisfaction, having hosted a record 1.7 mil-

lion cruise passengers in 2012.

Cruise ship call and passenger arrivals to the destination havecontinued to climb, even in the global economic slump, whenother destinations were experiencing declines in arrivals. Allsix berths available on the two cruise ship piers are fullyoccupied on any given day with cruise ships of all sizes,including behemoths such as RCCL’s Allure of the Seas andCarnival’s Breeze.

The Harbour Group’s keen eye on industry developments andendeavor to keep pace with the cruise lines and stay stepsahead of its competition has created very much of the DutchCaribbean country’s success.

The Harbour Group is on the cusp of becoming the maintransshipment hub for the northeastern Caribbean, a role ithas been building up to for several years. Significant invest-ments have been made to expand the cargo section andextend Captain David Quay to accommodate large cruiseships and smaller inter-island transport vessels.

The yachting sector is also catered to by the Harbour Groupwith designated berths for giga-yachts, in particular those toolarge to transit into Simpson Bay Lagoon, e.g. the world’slargest yacht, Eclipse.

The four pillars of the Harbour Group’s strength are its realestate projects. One new project in the offing is the construc-tion of a “Dutch/French Village” across from the mega cruiseships. This village will exemplify the island’s dual personal-ity with a classic working Dutch windmill and elements ofthe French countryside.

SMHG has maintained St. Maarten’s competitive edge in thenortheast Caribbean through constant research and strategicplanning as well as through partnerships and collaborationswith leading industry players. These associations have led todynamic growth in all sectors.

Over the past decade the Group has invested more than US$100million into infrastructure and equipment, and the focus for thefuture is on investing in personnel and processes to continue toimprove efficiency. Over the same timeframe the Group hasbeen transformed into a much more commercially orientatedoperation, including a refinancing package of US$150 millionby the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten.


St. Maarten: Host Destination for FCCA’s2014 Conference & Trade Show

At the same time, the Group has a strong corporate socialresponsibility program. This includes investing in St.Maarten as a destination by rejuvenating parts of Philipsburgand giving priority to environmental concerns.

A milestone was reached in 2012 when 1.7 million cruisepassengers were received, and even higher numbers are fore-cast in the years ahead. This success is not so much an acci-dent of location—although that helps—but more the result ofa systematic approach and good customer focus by the St.Maarten Harbour Group, which is keen to provide the bestfacilities in the industry. This is one of the benefits of hold-ing long-term agreements with the major lines.

The port can now accommodate six cruise ships, with the ter-minal handling anything from 6,000 to more than 20,000 pas-sengers in a single day. Immediately once coming ashore,passengers are welcomed into the Harbour Point Village tothe sound of steel pans being played. Built in an architecturalstyle reminiscent of old Philipsburg, the Village contains dutyfree outlets, souvenir shops and market stalls, as well as barsand a restaurant.

Focus is not only on commerce and destination promotion. TheHarbour Group has its finger on the pulse of innovations cov-ering everything for one-of-a-kind activities to green energy.

Six vertical windmills and solar panels are in use to aid in cut-ting down on energy cost and reducing fossil fuel use.

This drive has led St. Maarten to become the host destinationfor the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) 2014Conference and Tradeshow. This is also thanks to the contin-ued improvement of infrastructure, commitment to cruisepassenger satisfaction and its longstanding relationshipwith the cruise industry. This is the second time the countrywill host this prestigious gathering of cruise industry moversand shakers.

The destination has become a benchmark for regional ports.Many developing ports of call have visited St. Maarten tolearn more about its progress in the cruise and shipping sec-tors in the past four decades.

St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies, operator of thetop rated Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities, isbusy preparing with FCCA officials for the conference,which will be held from October 6 – 10, 2014.

The country’s government is elated to host the event andlooks forward together with the Harbour Group to showcasethe uniqueness of St. Maarten and its innovations, coveringeverything for one-of-a-kind activities to green energy.


St. Croix offers a unique spectrum of vibrant experi-ences, for a veritable kaleidoscope of adventures. Theisland embodies everything a cruise passenger could

want in a tropical Caribbean destination: adventure, beauty,culture, history, nature and warmth.

Cruise passengers who disembark in Frederiksted at the AnnE. Abramson Marine Facility or at Gallows Bay Dock nearChristiansted are immediately greeted by the brightly-col-ored heritage buildings that punctuate the streets of eachtown. From the colonial architectural and Danish streetnames to the island’s cuisine and cultural traditions, visitorscan discover lasting remnants from a period in whichDenmark ruled the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Beyond St. Croix’s gateway towns, its colors will continue toinspire…

A Barrage of Blue Cruise passengers in search of water activities will find noshortage of options on St. Croix. A day sail to Buck IslandReef National Monument is a must. Boats depart daily fromChristiansted to experience the 880 acres of preserved coral

reef that surrounds Buck Island. On shore, relax on pristineTurtle Beach, consistently ranked as one of the best beachesin the world. For snorkeling enthusiasts, azure waterspromise a paradise filled with colorful reefs and endemicmarine life to explore.

Just east of Christiansted, water sports outfitters offer kiteboarding and stand-up paddle boarding adventures. On thenorth shore of the island, kayaking through the lush tropicalecosystem of the Salt River Bay National Historical Park isa wonderful way to enjoy St. Croix’s outdoors. Divers canexplore five clustered shipwrecks at Cane Bay, all situatedalong the largest living reef in the Caribbean. In fact, StCroix is a diving Mecca, offering five unique dive siteoptions in one compact destination to choose from – pier,reef, shipwreck, shore and wall.

To savor breathtaking ocean vistas, head to the Point Udallmonument, which marks the easternmost point of the entireUnited States.

engulfed in Green A day-long jeep tour of St. Croix is one of the best ways to


St. Croix in Living Color

become immersed in the island’s lush rainforest and rollinghillsides. Along the way, stop in at the St. George VillageBotanical Garden. Discover the flora of St. Croix, includingmany endemic healing plants and fruits growing in theMedicinal Herb Garden.

Eco-conscious travelers can head to Ridge 2 Reef Farm,home of the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute. Here,day-long workshops and volunteer programs are available tolearn about sustainable methods of living and farming.

Golfers can tee off at Carambola Golf Club’s par-72 courseor The Buccaneer’s the par-70 course.

Poised in yellow The port at Christiansted provides a wonderful view of FortChristiansvaern, an imposing structure erected between 1738and 1749, whose bright yellow walls still dominate thetown’s coastline.

Christiansted is very walkable and the Gallows Bay Dock,located just a mile away, allows small-ship cruise passengersto easily explore the town’s historical churches, pastel build-ings and unique art galleries. Shoppers in downtownChristiansted can navigate its colorful streets in search of theperfect custom-designed Crucian Hook Bracelet. The hookbracelet is a 45-year-old island tradition symbolizing truelove, or the wearer’s search for it depending on the directionthe hook faces.

Seeing r edUpon nearing the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility on theFrederiksted shore, cruisers receive a sea-farer’s view of FortFrederik, a magnificent red structure built in 1760 to ward offinvading pirates. After disembarking, take a tour of this his-toric fort to learn about the island’s Danish past or simplystroll along Frederiksted’s historic waterfront.

History buffs won’t want to miss Estate Whim PlantationMuseum, a restored 18th-century sugar estate dating from the1700s. A short drive away, the museum offers guests aglimpse into the impact of Denmark’s colonial reign throughtours of the great house and surrounding sugar factory ruins.

Taste the r ainbowBe sure to visit one or both of the island’s rum distilleries.Both Cruzan Rum and the recently opened Diageo WelcomeCenter – home of the Captain Morgan Rum distillery – offerguided tours that share the history of rum production in theCaribbean and, more specifically, its heritage on the island ofSt. Croix. At both distilleries sample an array of rums,including Cruzan’s many infused flavors including key lime,mango and strawberry.

Plan your Getaway To book your next cruise to St. Croix, contact your travel agentor representatives at Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean,Seaborn, Amadea, Columbus and Silversea Cruise lines. To learnmore about the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.visitusvi.com.


The Nature Island of Dominica welcomes cruisevisitors from around the world and is engaged incontinual efforts to enhance the cruise experience

for both passengers and the cruise lines. Dominica ishome to a diverse number of land and water-basedactivities with an emphasis on sustainable tourism.

The island has three cruise ports which continue to betransformed and improved to create a welcoming atmo-sphere for cruise visitors and a safe and user-friendlyport for cruise line operators. The Cabrits Cruise Berthis situated in the Cabrits National Park & MarineReserve, which is located north of the town ofPortsmouth. The Woodbridge Bay Port is a commercialport near the capital which also accommodates cruisevessels. The Roseau Cruise Ship Berth, located in thecapital Roseau, is the primary dedicated cruise port.

Dominica’s famous twin falls at Trafalgar are a must-seeon most cruise itineraries because the trip offers majes-tic views of the island’s natural beauty and is in closeproximity from the capital, Roseau (just a 20-minutedrive). At Trafalgar, the twin waterfalls tumble into

refreshing pools below allowing visitors to seek out thehot springs under the taller falls for a natural spa bath,or cool off under the smaller waterfall for a refreshingexperience. A Premium Site Program was developed atTrafalgar Falls during the 2012/2013 cruise season in aneffort to increase the overall guest experience and tooffer the cruise lines greater revenue opportunitiesthrough organized tours. The program gives priorityaccess to tours organized directly through the cruiselines from 8 am to 1 pm. Private tours are only allowedafter 1 pm on any given day.

Prior to formalizing the program through legislation,several consultations were held to sensitize stakeholdersof the program and to gain their support and coopera-tion. The exclusivity presented to the cruise lines pro-vides a hassle-free and rewarding experience to thecruise visitors who book tours directly with the cruiselines, which ultimately increases revenue generationfrom tours for the ships who call on Dominica.

To enhance the journey to some of Dominica’s mosttreasured attractions, several major road infrastructure


Dominica Caters to Cruise Passengers and Lines

projects have been completed. Cruise passengers nowhave the opportunity to engage in guided tours to popu-lar hot spots which include the Indian River inPortsmouth on the North of the Island; ChampagneReef, a unique underwater volcanic crater in the Southof the island that is popular with snorkelers; and theRoseau Valley, which houses several local attractions,including volcanic hot springs, Fresh Water Lake,Trafalgar Falls and Boiling Lake.

The recently completed Waitukubuli National Trail is awalking/hiking trail consisting of 14 trail segmentswhich traverse the entire island. The trail leads visitorsinto the heart of local communities while passingthrough mountainous landscapes and rainforests, andpast rivers and waterfalls. Some of these segments areperfectly positioned to allow cruise passengers to expe-rience parts of Dominica which were previously out ofreach.

In 2012, the Government of Dominica constructed a500,000 gallon storage tank to provide reliable freshwater to the cruise lines. Because Dominica is blessedwith an abundance of crystal clear rivers deliveringfresh water to its reservoirs, the island has the ability to

offer the provision of fresh potable water to cruise ves-sels while on the island. Another upgrade to the watersystem is the Water Filtration System in Antrim Valley,which ensures potable water at all times.

Further infrastructural developments are on streamwhich will benefit tourism development. These rangefrom further road rehabilitation to improvements inhealth services. The Government of the PeoplesRepublic of China plans to donate a new hospital to theGovernment of Dominica, adding to the existing hospi-tals and health care facilities. Construction is expectedto begin by 2014.

In its thrust to position itself as a premier cruise desti-nation, continuous training has been offered to theisland’s tourism service providers including tour guides,tour operators, vendors and taxi drivers. RecentlyDominica hosted the FCCA-endorsed Aquila ShoreExcellence training for cruise stakeholders.

Amidst the competitive nature of the internationalcruise industry Dominica is actively recreating andimproving its product to be the most attractive optionfor cruise line operators as well as their passengers.


Royal Caribbean International hasnever shied away from big pro-jects, i.e. big ships. It broke the

mold with the Oasis-class, showing howmany innovations and features can fiton a 225,000-GRT vessel. Loaded withzip lines, ice-skating rinks, FlowRidersurf simulators, seven themed neighbor-hood districts, and 2,700 staterooms—which just scratches the surface ofonboard offerings—the current pair ofOasis ships are still wowing their pas-sengers and cementing Royal CaribbeanInternational’s tenet on guest experi-ences. The line prides itself on introduc-ing these kinds of “at-sea firsts” andaltering the cruising landscape with itsonboard offerings.

The line also obviously takes pleasurein progress, as it has begun constructionon the world’s largest and most innova-tive ship, its third Oasis-class ship.Weighing it at 227,7000 GRT andscheduled for a mid-2016 delivery, theheavyweight will certainly hold nopunches in the innovation and offeringsthat have become synonymous withRoyal Caribbean.

“Our Oasis-class ships have led thecharge in delivering the WOW for

which Royal Caribbean is known,” saidAdam Goldstein, president and CEO,Royal Caribbean International. “We aredelighted to get the building processunderway and look forward to the nextchapter of this amazing class of ships.”

Yet the line has plenty more to antici-pate with its next generation of cruiseships. Set to debut in fall 2014 andspring 2015, the Quantum of the Seasand Anthem of the Seas, respectively,have already proven they plan to con-tinue the Royal Caribbean’s legacy ofrevolutionary ship design and boldinnovation.

“Throughout our history we have madehuge strides in cruise ship design andinnovation, and the Quantum-class will

be no exception,” told Richard Fain,chairman and CEO, Royal CaribbeanCruises, Ltd. “We look forward tointroducing consumers to Quantumcruising.”

Quantum cruising represents anotherleap forward for the line’s innovativemakeup and will offer even more of theonboard firsts, such as a skydivingexperience, bumper cars, roller skating,new venues, most advanced stateroomsand much more.

At 158,000 GRT and a 4,100-passengerpassenger capacity at double occupan-cy, the pair of new-builds manages tobreak new ground after the line’s 40years of innovation.

Starting with the staterooms, RoyalCaribbean showed its attention to guestcomfort and convenience by debutingthe most spacious and luxuriousaccommodations ever, with rooms thaton average are nine percent larger thanthose of Oasis-class. Sophisticated,upscale, contemporary, easy-to-use,customizable and with intuitive storagesolutions, guests are sure to appreciatethe form and function of the generalcabins or purpose-built staterooms for


Royal Caribbean International Expands Innovations and GuestExperiences on New Oasis-Build and Quantum-Class

“The innovative spirit ofour brand is alive andwell…Our guests shouldprepare to be wowed.” -Adam Goldstein, president& CEO, Royal CaribbeanInternational


multi-generational families and solostudios. Guests can also enjoy thesights, as every stateroom offers a viewbecause of the industry’s first virtualbalconies, which offer real-time viewsof the ocean and exciting destinationsto interior cabins.

But there is much more to see and inter-act with onboard. The RipCord by iFlywill be the first skydiving experience atsea, allowing everyone from first-timeflyers to seasoned skydivers to experi-ence the exhilaration of skydiving in asafe, controlled and stimulated environ-ment.

North Star will take passengers to newheights in its jewel-shaped glass cap-sule as it transports them on a journeyover 300 feet above the ocean and overthe sides of the ship and gives 360-degree views.

There will also be three new venuesthat continue to fuse more innovationwith architectural design and space uti-lization, while delivering plenty wow-factor for passengers.

Two70° is sure to become one of themost iconic venues onboard Quantum-class. Besides being a multi-level greatroom, it follows its namesake by offer-ing 270-degree panoramic sea viewsthrough vast, floor-to-ceiling glass

walls spanning almost three decks.Joining entertainment and technology,it offers something for everyone fromday to night—tranquil by day, withcomfortable space to sit back, relax andenjoy the view; dazzling at night, withlive performers, including aerialists,and unparalleled technology, completewith breathtaking video and digitalscenery.

Quantum will also have the largestindoor active space at sea, SeaPlex, adistinctive and flexible sporting andentertainment venue with thrilling newfeatures to connects guests of all ageswith their playful sides. Passengers canexperience a circus school with flyingtrapeze or play basketball on a full-sizeregulation court during the day. Atnight, this area will offer first-everbumper car and roller-skating offerings,along with music orchestrated from afloating DJ booth hovering above theactivity below.

Music Hall will serve as a performancehall and the hottest live music venueaboard Quantum-class. Its two-storydesign is inspired by the spirit and rockand roll, which will be channeled dur-ing the live performances, DJs, themenight parties, billiards and more.

Of course, Quantum-class will alsooffer some signature features for which

Royal Caribbean has becomerenowned, such as a top deck adornedwith the adults-only Solarium and H2OZone kids’ aqua park (though the deckwill also feature a new indoor pool withoperable roof). Other returning innova-tions and venues include the rockclimbing wall, FlowRider surf simula-tor, the award-winning AdventureOcean children’s program, the RoyalBabies and Tots Nursery, and theDreamWorks entertainment and eventsfeaturing animated characters.

“We are excited to be introducing majoradvancements in ship design and offer-ings on Quantum of the Seas andAnthem of the Seas,” said Goldstein.“The innovative spirit of our brand isalive and well, and with Quantum class,we will deliver more unexpected activ-ities in the most extraordinary spaces.Our guests should prepare to bewowed.”

Though relatively few details have beenreleased about the upcoming Oasis- andQuantum-builds, Royal Caribbean’sinnovative spirit is already glowingthrough these vessels. After 40 years ofwowing passengers with new firsts andmaking them expect the unexpected,the line has proven it has plenty left upits sleeve.

Carnival Cruise Lines introducedthe totally transformed CarnivalSunshine to the North

American market Nov. 17 in NewOrleans with a gala naming ceremonythat was itself a mini Mardi Gras cele-bration. Following a $155 million, 75-day dry dock, the former CarnivalDestiny emerged earlier this year withall of the line’s Fun Ship 2.0 dining, barand entertainment innovations, an addi-tional 182 staterooms and severalunique features not found on any othership.

Following an introductory season inEurope and a 16-day trans-Atlanticcrossing, Carnival Sunshine arrived atNew Orleans for the naming ceremonyand pierside overnight event. Serving

as godmother to the restylized ship wasphilanthropist and author Lin Arison,wife of Carnival Cruise Lines founder,the late Ted Arison.

Besides her deep connections withCarnival Cruise Lines, Lin Arison holdsthe distinction of being the only personto serve as godmother to four Carnivalships — Mardi Gras, the line’s firstship, in 1972; Holiday, in 1985;Carnival Destiny, at the time theworld’s largest cruise ship, in 1996, andCarnival Sunshine, the product of thecruise industry’s most expensive andextensive cruise ship makeover.

Arison, who received the 2012 NationalMedal of Arts from President BarackObama, has dedicated her life to the

advancement of the arts and support ofyoung and developing artists.Lin and Ted Arison are responsible formany of the major initiatives thatsparked Miami’s cultural renaissanceand founded the National YoungArtsFoundation and its core program,YoungArts, as well as the New WorldSymphony in Miami Beach.

In honor of Arison’s association withthose two programs, Carnival CruiseLines donated $25,000 each toYoungArts and the New WorldSymphony at the Carnival Sunshinenaming ceremony. In addition,YoungArts singers, dancers and musi-cians captivated the audience with NewOrleans–themed entertainment duringthe ceremony.


Carnival Cruise Lines’ Totally Transformed Carnival Sunshine Debuts in New Orleans

Adding to the Mardi Gras atmosphereof the naming ceremony was theDestrehan High School’s Pride ofDestrehan Marching Band, winner of acontest sponsored by Carnival and NewOrleans’ own WDSU-TV televisionstation. “The Battle of the High SchoolMarching Bands” was an online com-petition where local high school bandsvied for a $10,000 cash prize and achance to perform on board CarnivalSunshine during the naming. Twenty-three bands participated in the contest,and the Pride of Destrehan MarchingBand was named the winner throughonline voting among the five top bands.The four runner-up bands received$1,000 each.

The Pride of Destrehan Marching Bandwas a highlight of the naming ceremo-ny which culminated with Lin Arison’ssending the traditional bottle of cham-pagne to break against CarnivalSunshine’s hull followed by the sound-ing of the ship’s horn.

After the ceremony, numerous localdignitaries, travel agents and otherVIPs staying aboard for the piersideovernight event enjoyed a cocktailparty, celebratory dinner in the ship’srestaurants and an evening of fun andentertainment.

As they explored the newly made-overship, guests were treated to a wide vari-ety of Fun Ship 2.0 bars, lounges andentertainment options.

Among them were Carnival’s largestRedFrog Pub, featuring the Caribbean’sbest rums and beers in a West-Indies-meets-Key-West atmosphere; Mexican-themed BlueIguana Tequila Bar, an out-door watering hole offering tequila-based frozen drinks and beers; EASPORTS Bar, featuring live sportingevents, a 24/7 sports ticker and the lat-

est EA SPORTS video games; AlchemyBar, a vintage-themed cocktail “phar-macy” with mixologists who “pre-scribe” unique concoctions; RedFrogRum Bar, a poolside adaptation ofRedFrog Pub with rum-based frozendrinks and beers; The Library Bar, awarm and cozy venue offering self-serve wine dispensers and full bar ser-vice; and Havana Bar, which by day isa gathering spot for Cuban coffee andsnacks, but at night becomes a Latin-inspired courtyard for classic Cubancocktails, music and dancing.

Also on display the night of the namingwere the new Fun Ship 2.0 entertain-ment venues: Playlist Productions,enthralling music revues combiningcaptivating live performances of popand rock songs with spectacular specialeffects; Hasbro, The Game Show, fea-turing larger-than-life adaptations ofpopular games presented in the multi-functional Liquid Lounge, and ThePunchliner Comedy Club presented byGeorge Lopez, featuring a lineup ofhilarious comedians performing bothfamily-friendly and adults-only shows.

In addition to those innovations,Carnival Sunshine came out of theshipyard with a variety of diningvenues — several of them unique tothis ship.

They include Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, theline’s first full-service restaurant featur-ing an extensive menu of Far East deli-cacies served in an Asian-inspiredatmosphere; Bonsai Sushi, servingsushi, sashimi, rolls and more, andPizzeria del Capitano, an expansion ofCucina del Capitano offering five vari-eties of hand-tossed artisanal-stylepizza free of charge 24 hours a day.

Two new casual side-by-side venuesinclude JavaBlue Café, offering lattes,

cappuccinos and other favorites, cof-fees “spiked” with liqueurs and bakedconfections, and Shake Spot, the ideal“chill” spot for hand-crafted milk-shakes and floats in both nonalcoholicand “adult versions.”

Carnival Sunshine also has the FunShip 2.0 restaurants rolled out onCarnival Breeze and several otherships of the fleet to date. They includeGuy’s Burger Joint, a free-of-chargepoolside venue developed in partner-ship with Food Network personalityGuy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgersand fresh-cut fries; Cucina delCapitano, offering Italian favorites andnew Carnival classics served family-style in an atmosphere reminiscent of acozy Italian home; BlueIguanaCantina, a complimentary poolsideMexican eatery where guests can enjoyfreshly made burritos and tacos onhomemade tortillas, and Fahrenheit555, a classic American steakhouseoffering mouth-watering steaks,gourmet appetizers, entrees anddesserts, with impeccable service andunderstated ambiance.

Carnival Sunshine is carrying onCarnival Cruise Lines’ longtime com-mitment to the year-round Caribbeanmarket. Following a special six-dayintroductory cruise Nov. 18-24,Carnival Sunshine sails a winter sched-ule of seven-day cruises from NewOrleans beginning Nov. 24, then repo-sitions in April 2014 to Port Canaveral,Fla., for year-round five- to eight-dayCaribbean cruises.

New Orleans provided both the perfectvenue to introduce the totally trans-formed Carnival Sunshine and a MardiGras theme to mark the ship’s entry intoservice: “Laissez les bon tempsrouler!” — “Let the good times roll!”



From December 2 – 10, 2013, the FCCA held its annual online auction to support the FCCA Foundation—the FCCA’s philanthropic arm, which is dedicated to improving the lives of those less fortunate throughout the Caribbean and LatinAmerica, primarily for children’s causes.

Thanks to the generosity of the FCCA’s members and partners, cruises, travel packages and more were donated so the FCCAcan auction them and use all proceeds to benefit the FCCA Foundation’s efforts.

The FCCA and its Member Lines thanks the following contributors for their assistance and partnership:

Celebrity Cruises 7-Night CaribbeanCruise for Two

Donated by: Celebrity Cruises

Carnival Cruise Lines 7-Day Cruisefor 2 in Ocean View Cabin

Donated by: Carnival Cruise Lines

Disney Cruise Line 7 Night Cruisefor 2 Aboard Disney Fantasy inVerandah Stateroom

Donated by: Disney Cruise Line

Princess Cruises 7-Day CaribbeanCruise for Two

Donated by: Princess Cruises

Disney Cruise Line 4-NightBahamian Cruise for 2 AboardDisney Dream in VerandahStateroom

Donated by: Disney Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line 7-DayCaribbean Cruise for 2 in an ocean-view stateroom

Donated by: Norwegian Cruise Line

3-Night Stay at Atlantis, ParadiseIsland and Shallow Water DolphinEncounter for 2

Donated by: Atlantis, Paradise Island

Royal Caribbean International 7-Night Caribbean Cruise for 2 inOcean View Stateroom

Donated by: Royal CaribbeanInternational

3-Night Stay at Pelican Bay Hotelon Grand Bahama Island

Donated by: Freeport HarborCompany and Pelican Bay Hotel

3-Night Stay for 2 adults in luxuri-ous Ocean Front Suite at the OceanTwo Resort in Barbados

Donated by: Barbados TourismAuthority / Ocean Two Resort

3-Night Stay for 2 adults inLuxurious Ocean View at the GrandLucayan Bahamas

Donated by: Freeport HarborCompany and Grand Lucayan

5-Night Stay for two in an OceanView Room at Accra Beach Hoteland Spa, Barbados

Donated by: Bridgetown CruiseTerminal and Accra Beach & Spa

4-Night in a Deluxe Accommodationat The Sugar Mill Hotel, BritishVirgin Islands

Donated by: BVI Tourism Board andSugar Mill Hotel

3-Nights in a Beach Cabana atPortofino Resort in Ambergris Caye,Belize

Donated by: Belize Tourism Boardand Portofino Resort & Resturant

3-Night stay for two at Nail BayEstates and Resort, British VirginIslands

Donated by: BVI Tourism Board andNail Bay Estates

3-Night stay for two with daily break-fast at Las Americas Hotel Resort &Spa in Cartagena, Colombia

Donated by: Las Americas Hotel

3-Nigth stay for two with daily buf-fet breakfast at Hilton CartagenaHotel.

Donated by: Cartagena Cruise ShipTerminal and Hilton Colombia

4-Night Package for Two at Casa deCampo, Dominican Republic,"Caribbean's Most Complete Resort"

Donated by: Casa de Campo andMinistry of Tourism DominicanRepublic

Discover Guatemala: 5-Night Packagefor 2 in Guatemala City and AmatiqueBay Resort in the Caribbean

Donated by: Blue Planet, ClarionSuites and Amatique Bay Resort

3-Night Stay for two at the CrownePlaza Santo Domingo

Donated by: San Souci Port andCrowne Plaza

3-Night Stay at Las Verandas Hoteland Villas at Pristine Bay Roatan,Honduras

Donated by: Las Verandas Hotel andDiamonds International



3-Nigth stay for two with buffetbreakfast at Paradise Beach Hotel,Honduras

Donated by: Paradise Beach Hoteland Diamonds International

3-Night Stay at Las Verandas Hoteland Villas at Pristine Bay Roatan,Honduras

Donated by: Las Verandas Hotel andDiamonds International

3-Night Stay for two in all-inclusiveplan at Turquoise Bay Resort -Roatan, Honduras

Donated by: Turquoise Bay Hoteland Diamonds International

3-Night Stay for two at the all-inclu-sive El Cozumeleno Beach Resort

Donated by: El Cozumeleno and APIQuintana Roo

1 week stay in a Private Villa inTrujillo Bay, Honduras

Donated by: Banana Coast

3-Night Stay for two at the all-inclu-sive El Cozumeleno Beach Resort

Donated by: El Cozumeleno and APIQuintana Roo

3-night Stay for 2 in an Ocean frontMaster Suite with Jacuzzi at thePlaya Azul Hotel in Cozumel

Donated by: Playa Azul and APIQuintana Roo

3-night Stay for 2 in an Ocean frontMaster Suite with Jacuzzi at thePlaya Azul Hotel in Cozumel

Donated by: Playa Azul and APIQuintana Roo

3-Nigth stay for two at theNormandie Hotel Port of Spain,Trinidad

Donated by: Trinidad & TobagoSightseeing and Normandie Hotel

Emilio Robba’s Accent Décor col-lection

Donated by: Emilio Robba Paris

3 Nights Stay for Two in MasterSuite at the Placencia Hotel &Residence in Belize

Donated by: Placencia Hotel &Residence and Fort Street TourismVillage

3-Nigth stay for two in an OceanView at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas

Donated by: USVI Department ofTourism and Ritz-Carlton, St.Thomas


Arnulfo Sierra Pineda – Bartender, Cunard Line

Arnulfo Sierra Pineda is from beautiful Honduras, Central America. He started his life at seaon 4 February 1978 as a Deck Steward on board M/S Vistafjiord, which later became Cunard'sCaronia. One year later he was promoted to Bar Waiter, and two years after that was promot-ed to Bartender. He served on board Caronia until her final day of service for Cunard in 2004.

In 2005, Arnulfo joined the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 and had the great honour of being partof the farewell team who took her to her new home in Dubai in November 2008.

Early in 2009, Arnulfo joined Queen Victoria.

Arnulfo is so glad and proud to have worked and to continue to work for Cunard, where he is treated respectfully by bothcolleagues and superiors. Although he has spent half of his life at sea and is away from his wife, son and daughter for closeto ten months out of every year, working for Cunard has meant that he has been able to provide them with a good home,a good education and better prospects for their future. What more could a husband and father hope for?

Faces In The Industry

Fabien Moses – Waiter, Celebrity Cruises

Fabien was born in the beautiful island of St Lucia, and joined Celebrity Cruises as an AssistantWaiter in February 2009. He was promoted to Waiter two years later, as he was recognized forhis genuine smile, positive attitude and outstanding performance. Fabien has terrific interactionwith the guests and is a true ambassador of Celebrity’s “STAR” Philosophy. He keeps a constant smile on his face when in contact with the guests, and always receives positive feed-back about his professionalism and hospitality. Fabien loves his job and wants to move up tothe ladder to higher positions with Celebrity in the future.

r amon Fernandes – Housekeeping Supervisor, Celebrity Cruises

Ramon Fernandes is from Honduras and joined Celebrity Cruises in November 1995 as aStateroom Attendant. He worked hard for his family of three – he is married to Alba Luz andfather of two kids, ages 25 and 19. He dedicated almost 17 years to serving thousands ofCelebrity guests on various ships and world itineraries, always with a great respect for his profession, his colleagues and his managers. Ramon always has a smile and a courteous attitude toward Celebrity’s guests. He recently was promoted to a Housekeeping Supervisor inthe Crew area, after a short and successful period as a Pool Area Supervisor on CelebrityConstellation. His supervisor say he is doing an amazing job and is an excellent example of acrew member who is continuously growing and developing within the company.

Honduras

Saint Lucia

Honduras

Exclusively supported by

For 30 years, Cruise Shipping Miami has been the epicenter of the cruise industry for networking, innovation, sourcing and education. Continue with tradition while enhancing the future and showcase your products to the ever expanding cruise industry today!

For more information, [email protected] orcall +1-609-759-4700.

cruiseshippingmiami.com

The Cruise Industry’s Premier Global EventMarch 10 –13, 2014 | Miami Beach Convention Center | Miami Beach, FL USA

FOOD & BEVERAGE | DESIGN & REFURBISHMENT | DESTINATIONS | SHIP SERVICES | HOTEL OPERATIONS SHIP EQUIPMENT | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | ENTERTAINMENT | AMUSEMENTS & RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIONS

Celebrate the 30th Anniversar

y

–13, 2014 | Miami Beach Conch 10Mar

ention Center | Miami Beach, FL USAv–13, 2014 | Miami Beach Con

ention Center | Miami Beach, FL USA

uise Shipping Miami , Cror 30 yF

uise Shipping Miami

uise industry todaxpanding crer eevour prcase ywand sho

adition while enhancing the future trsourcing and education. Continue with

kingoror netwindustry fhas been the epicenter of

uise Shipping Miami , Crearsor 30 yF

y! uise industry todaoducts to the our pr

adition while enhancing the future sourcing and education. Continue with

ation, , innovkinguise the crhas been the epicenter of

uise Shipping Miami

A At

yy

cruiseshi

call +1uiseshippingmiami.com orsales@

mation, contactoro F

hippin

1-609-759-4700.es@cr

or more inf

cruiseshippingmiami.com

call +1-609-759-4700.uiseshippingmiami.com or

mation, contact

Exclusively supported by

Documents

2013 4th Qtr Cruising Magazine