2015 3rd Qtr Edition of Cruising Magazine

“If you want something fresh, authentic, and unique in the Caribbean, you will find it all in Martinique!” - Coralie

This year, immerse yourself in Martinican culture in our Cruise Village, discover our exciting excursions, and take in our spectacular natural landscapes. www.martiniquepro.org/cruise

7/2/15 5:43 PM

FULL SMILES AHEAD.THAT’S CAYMANKIND.

A WORLD AWAY. JUST ONE HOUR FROM MIAMI.

WWW.CAYMANISLANDS.KY

Third Quarter 2015 • Cruising Magazine 7

Micky ArisonFCCA Chairman,ChairmanCarnival Corporation

Michael BayleyPresident & CEORoyal Caribbean International

Adam GoldsteinPresident & COORoyal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Karl L. HolzPresidentDisney Cruise Line

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

Andrew StewartPresident & COONorwegian Cruise Line

Omari BreakenridgeDirector, Communications & Design

Terri CanniciVice President, Operations

Adam CeseranoSenior Vice President

Carlos SantamarinaDirector, Membership Events & Programs

Jessica LalamaExecutive Assistant

Raquel NalesAdministrative Assistant

Justin PaigeManager, Communications, Research & Marketing

Michele M. PaigePresident

26 Cozumel and Mexico on Display at FCCA Conference & Trade Show

44 FCCA Sourcing Committee Looking to Source Business at the FCCA Conference

& Trade Show and Beyond

46 Award-Winning Escapes Made Easy in Martinique

48 Membership Has Its Privileges: Bonaire Champions FCCA Platinum Membership

58 What Differentiates Your Destination

18 The Cruise Industry’s and Caribbean’s Growth Has Only Just Begun By Michele M. Paige, President, FCCA

20 Cruise Line Executives and FCCA Platinum Members Gather in Puerto Plata for FCCA PAMAC Summit

28 A Tale of Two PortsBy David Candib, Vice President, Development & Operations, Carnival Corporation & plc

34 Working Together for Future Success in the Caribbean By Andy Stuart, President and Chief Operating Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line

38 Disney Cruise Line Delivers New Vacation Experiences at Sea By Karl L. Holz, President, Disney Cruise Line

Cover photo:Puerta Maya

9 President’s Letter

12 Cruise Industry News & Platinum Highlights

49 FCCA Platinum Associate Member Listing

54 FCCA Associate Member Listing

62 Faces in the Industry

64 Meetings with the FCCA

CRUISINGTHE FLORIDA-CARIBBEAN CRUISE ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

Third Quarter 2015

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 © 2015 ~ 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 Line • Celebrity Cruises

Costa Cruises • Croisières de France • Cunard Line • Disney Cruise Line • Holland America LineMSC Cruises (USA) Inc. • Norwegian Cruise Line • Oceania Cruises • P&O Cruises • Princess Cruises

Pullmantur Cruises • Regent Seven Seas Cruises • Royal Caribbean International • Seabourn • TUI Cruises

FCCA Staff

Departments

Features

SpotlightCover ImageExecutive Committee

FLORIDA-CARIBBEANCRUISEASSOCIATION

FREDERIKSTED, ST. CROIX WEST INDIAN COMPANY, ST. THOMAS

GALLOWS BAY DOCK , ST. CROIX CROWN BAY, ST. THOMAS

THERE ARE PORTS OF CALL, AND THOSE THAT BECKON.Sail to a cruise destination that’s as pleasurable for you as it is

your passengers. The four ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands feature

seven berths with fully established accommodations designed to

attend to all of your vessel’s needs. While ashore, your passengers

will be overcome with our alabaster beaches, great shopping, and

unique cultural and culinary attractions. For more information on

the ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.viport.com

and www.wico-vi.com.

©2015 U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

“

F

“A real businessman values his partners like friends

and his partnership like friendship.” – Amit Kalantri

Partnerships are an invaluable commodity in business

and life. We often rely on our partners for ideas, input

and support—if we want to expand or need a helping

hand. Like any other precious resource, reliable and

knowledgeable partners are rare and hard to find.

However, the FCCA mines these resources by providing

direct access to cruise lines and stakeholders for its part-

ners to develop mutually beneficial relationships,

increase understanding, improve the guest experience

and maximize their cruise tourism’s impact.

These features are front and center for our 22nd annual

Cruise Conference & Trade Show in Cozumel, Mexico.

The event’s balance between business sessions, social

functions and the Trade Show—coupled with the

attendance of about 100 cruise executives and 1,000

public and private stakeholders—create the perfect forum for the exchange of information and industry trends,

sharing of ideas, and cultivation of business relationships that can lead to valuable partnerships.

Plus the event epitomizes what FCCA membership offers, as this is just one of the many annual events that

bring together our members and Member Line executives to help them benefit from each other and grow the

industry together. It is also one of the many tools we use to foster this kind of communication and relationship

building, along with meetings, projects, publications and much more.

This edition of Cruising highlights more ways we accomplish this, such as our annual PAMAC Summit, along

with its significance—displayed by a focus on partnerships and constant improvement by Andy Stuart, presi-

dent and COO of Norwegian Cruise Line, and Bonaire’s discussion of Platinum Membership’s benefits—and

some of our partners’ priceless knowledge, including a behind-the-scenes look at port and destination devel-

opment by David Candib, vice president, development & operations, Carnival Corporation & plc, and an

emphasis on tour guide training by Beth Kelly Hatt, president, Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence.

And it spotlights some of our partners, like Mexico’s cruise tourism resurgence and what can be experienced

during the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show; Karl Holz, president, Disney Cruise Line, highlighting

new onboard experiences; and destination offerings and developments in Martinique and Puerto Rico.

So take a minute or an hour to learn about the FCCA, some of our partners and the industry as a whole. Or

better yet, experience it all first-hand at an FCCA event.

Respectfully yours,

Michele M. Paige

President

FCCA


Michele meeting with Roberto Borge Angulo, Governor

of Quintana Roo, Mexico and Fredy Marrufo Martín,

Mayor of Cozumel, Mexico.

President’s Letter

“

F

Aruba: One Happy Island with

Countless Opportunities

Aruba is “One Happy Island” where

turquoise waves crash against desert ter-

rain; where peace and relaxation coexist

with wild and rugged adventures; where

Dutch influence meets American ease;

and where a diverse history parallels a

bright future. Nestled in the southern

Caribbean, Aruba offers a paradise with

breathtaking beaches, a booming culi-

nary scene, exciting activities, art gal-

leries and museums, sumptuous spas,

championship golf, luxury shopping and

signature experiences, including cooling

off in Conchi, Aruba’s natural pool.

Visit www.aruba.com to learn more.

Pirate Republic Brewing Company

The Pirate Republic Brewing Company,

the only craft brewery in The Bahamas,

opened its doors in March 2015 and

quickly became a Port of Nassau

favorite. Located in a historic property

on Woodes Rogers Walk, a stone’s throw

from the cruise terminal, Pirate Republic

offers a variety of craft beers and daily

brewery tours. Beer types include

Pilsner, Belgian Ale, IPA, Kolsch, Stout

and special releases featuring Bahamian

ingredients. For more information, visit

www.piraterepublicbahamas.com.

Prospect Outback Adventures

Delivering More Thrills

Dolphin Cove has been the proud oper-

ator of Prospect Outback Adventures

for eight years. Prospect Outback

Adventures offers adventure tours on a

999-acre, 18th-century estate, located

only 15 minutes from the Ocho Rios

Cruise Ship terminal. Tours include

horseback riding, carriage rides, cook-

ing experiences, buggy adventures and

segway tours. These tours have

become very popular amongst adven-

ture enthusiast, prompting the addition

of new, exciting adventures for thrill-

seeking tourists.

Appleton Estate Rum Tour

The Appleton Estate Rum Tour offers a

unique historical experience. Visit our

legendary distillery nestled in

Jamaica’s south, where you will see and

experience our historic process that

continues today while watching some

of the earliest methods of extracting

juice from sugarcane, learning about

our unique distillation in 200-year-old

pot stills, and visiting a barrel house

where rums age to perfection. After the

tour you will understand why Appleton

Estate Jamaica Rum is one of the finest

rums in the world.

CCS Tours Introduces New

Attraction

CCS Tours has introduced a new attrac-

tion called River Bumpkin. Originally a

private hideaway, River Bumpkin is

now open to visitors to Jamaica, who

can become a “bumpkin” (native

Jamaican) for a day while experiencing

this beautiful country setting by the

Martha Brae River in Trelawny. This

professionally guided tour includes a

historical tour, walking, bicycle riding,

jitney, foot massage, and free WIFI in

all vehicles.

Dominica’s World Creole Music

Festival (WCMF)

Festive! Pulsating! Exciting!

Dominica’s World Creole Music

Festival. Running from October 26 –

November 3, this annual music

extravaganza celebrates the Creole

music culture of the Caribbean,

Europe and Africa and is widely seen

as one of the only true indigenous

music events in Dominica and the

Eastern Caribbean. Held around the

time of Dominica’s Independence cel-

ebrations, patrons and visitors are

afforded the opportunity to sample the

local cuisine and get an appreciation

of the rich cultural attributes of The

Nature Island’s heritage.

Tortola Pier Park to Enhance BVI

Shopping Options

The British Virgin Islands is enhancing

its cruise facilities with the addition of

12 Cruising Magazine • Third Quarter 2015

Cruise Industry News & Platinum Highlights


a new and improved cruise pier and

shopping center, Tortola Pier Park.

“Tortola Pier Park Ltd. strives to pro-

vide an exquisite Caribbean shopping,

dining and family entertainment experi-

ence with a unique BVI flare. In doing

so, a vibrant shopping atmosphere is

being created, offering exciting enter-

tainment, delicious cuisine and unique

products and services that meet our

shoppers’ demands,” said Dona Regis,

CEO of TPPL.

Partnership Agreement between

Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Board

and the Michelet College

On behalf of the Guadeloupe Islands

Tourist Board, President M.Hilaire

BRUDEY signed a partnership agree-

ment with the Michelet College of

Pointe à Pitre on May 20. This is a pilot

project with a goal of allowing third-

and fourth-year students to apply their

knowledge of languages—Spanish,

English and German—and the destina-

tion’s geography, history and culture.

Students will welcome and inform pas-

sengers at the cruise terminal and dur-

ing excursions.

Tobago to Develop World-Class

Canopy Excursion

The Tobago House of Assembly spon-

sored the development of a world-class

canopy tour in the oldest national pro-

tected park in the Western

Hemisphere—The Main Ridge Forest

Reserve. The Original Canopy Tour

Company designed and built an excur-

sion encompassing up to 13 traverse

lines and 14 platforms. With a distance

of approximately 2 kilometers, this is

the longest in this region and takes

about 2 hours.

Martinique, the Island of

Distinctions

The Caribbean Island with French Flair,

Martinique boasts modern infrastruc-

ture, natural wonders and rich heritage

that have earned The Isle of Flowers sev-

eral distinctions, such as a “Must-Visit”

destination for 2015, one of the best

Caribbean summer destinations and

Caribbean cruise ports by Caribbean

Journal, “Best Caribbean Destination”

by About.com, and “Top Caribbean

Island for Delectable Dining” by

Caribbean Travel + Life. Plus over a

hundred of tourist attractions and ser-

vice-providers from Martinique received

a 2015 Award of Excellence from

TripAdvisor. www.us.martinique.org

Santo Domingo Celebrates 519 Years

More Refreshed Than Ever

The capital of Dominican Republic is

celebrating its 519th year with a full

renovation of its historic center. Many

facilities have been renovated and opti-

mized emblematic streets and public

spaces, with the aim of offering visitors

a destination that combines history, ser-

vices and comfort. In this effort to mix

tradition and innovation, we can soon

enjoy the reopening of the first sanctu-

ary of the New World: the chapel of

Nuestra Señora del Rosario.

St. Vincent: Walk in Kingstown Tour

The Walk In Kingstown Tour is a guid-

ed, two-hour educational and exciting

adventure through capital city

Kingstown. It showcases the dynamic

and rich cultural-heritage of capital

Kingstown to all visitors as they meet

local Vincentians, explore and learn

about the city’s exquisite architecture

and culture, and taste authentic local

cuisine. Commencing at the Cruise

Ship Terminal, it visits the St. Vincent

Botanical Gardens, Heritage Museum

and Science Centre, historical church-

es, a working traditional brick oven and

more. More Information is available at

discoversvg.com.

Puerto Rico Draws World’s Biggest

Cruise Ships

Puerto Rico will welcome two of the




largest cruise ships in the world in 2016.

Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of

the Seas and Allure of the Seas will be

the first two mega-cruise ships to visit

San Juan in 2016. Ten visits by the

mega-ships will bring 60,000 additional

passengers to port, representing an eco-

nomic impact for Puerto Rico of approx-

imately $6.4 million in the first season.

50th Carriacou Regatta Festival

Emancipation Day on Monday, 3rd

August culminated four days of boat

racing and on-shore cultural activities

in Carriacou, the larger of the two sister

islands of Grenada. From the white

sand beach in Hillsborough, workboats

and racers sailed for 45 minutes up to 2

hours along a windy course on the pel-

lucid waters. The festivities on-shore

included greasy pole competitions and

cultural performances.

El Salvador to Invest $25 Million for

Development of the Marine Coastal Zone

The Government of El Salvador,

through the Ministry of Tourism, will

invest $25 million to develop its marine

coastal area over the next five years. The

Ministry will create tourism products

near the ports, and the Acajutla Port is

creating infrastructure to accommodate

restaurants, bike lanes and sports courts.

These developments follow achieve-

ments made while hosting the 3rd FCCA

Central America Summit in May 2015

and Princess Cruises announcing its

first calls to El Salvador in 2017.

Preliminary Port Calls of 2015-16

Cruise Season in Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena de Indias cruise ship termi-

nal had a preamble of the 2015-2016

cruise ship season with the call of

Insignia and Sea Princess, which

brought around 3.000 passengers that

visited the city and contributed an eco-

nomic impact of $400,000 in two days.

These gave way to the official season

opening, which took place on

September 7, 2015 with the arrival of

Monarch to the Cartagena Bay.

Regularization of Provisional Guides

In Belize City

It is with a great sense of pride that the

BTB announces the regularization of

64 Provisional Guide License Holders,

who are stakeholders of the Fort

George Tourism Zone. This was

accomplished by offering two training

sessions—the Heritage Tour Training

and the General Principles of Tour

Guiding. These guides are now eligible

to apply for their Belize City

Community Site Guide license, as only

licensed guides are permitted in the

Fort George Tourism Zone.

Tikal: One of the Best Destinations to

Discover

The ancient Maya city of Tikal has

been included in a list of the 20 best

destinations in the world published by

Lonely Planet, an international travel

guide. Only a 45-minute plane ride

from Guatemalan Cruise Terminals,

cruise passengers can visit the

archaeological site in the heart of the

jungle, admire ancient ruins and spot

spider monkeys and exotic birds. The

city was the capital of the Mayan

Northern Region, and it was a powerful

kingdom with a very advanced political

and military system.

Acapulco

Because of its fantastic weather and

unique experiences, Acapulco is a

prime cruising destination. For the

2015 season, the port announced two

first-time visits: Artania from and

Norwegian Jewel. Recent develop-

ments also include the return of 14

cruises. To ensure a pleasant and posi-

tive experience for our visitors, we

developed Acapulco’s Tourist

Assistance and Protection Center

(CAPTA) in early 2015. CAPTA is part

of the Federal, State and Municipal

strategies put in place to guarantee the

well-being of our visitors.

Puerto Chiapas, México

Located in the southeast of México,

Puerto Chiapas is considered one of the


top 16 ports in Mexico, offering close

contact to a mystical, exotic and natural

world Feel the warmth of its people,

explore the lush landscapes, taste deli-

cious flavors of coffee and observe great

biological diversity in the mangroves.

Puerto Chiapas is generating a different

identity from the rest of the ports, using

unique products like amber, the marim-

ba and the archaeological sites.

New Terminal Building in Isla Mujeres

With work completed in Isla Mujeres, it

now has a world-class terminal that can

accommodate up to 14,000 passengers

per day. Our record figure in the sum-

mer season is 19,400 in one day. The

passengers coming from Cancun and

the new tourist destination in the

Mexican Caribbean, Punta Sam. With

this new terminal, we have greatly

improved service to our visitors.

Construction Work is Beginning on the

Dock Next to San Miguel in Cozumel

This important construction will be

beneficial to the tourist boats in the cen-

ter of Cozumel, giving greater quality

of service and security, adhering to the

new look of downtown Cozumel

Margaritaville Cozumel

Over the turquoise, crystal-clear

Caribbean waters of Mexico, you will

find one of the best Jimmy Buffett’s

locations, with stunning views, great

food, amazing cocktails and free

snorkeling.

Three Amigos

Based on a cult comedy classic comes

a place for fun, entertainment and

authentic Mexican food. Ask for EL

GUAPO, and let’s get the party started!

Costa Maya: Gateway to an

Unknown World

Costa Maya transports travelers to a

world where Mayan memories fuse

with contemporary times, where they

can see a port resembling a Mayan city

from a ship with robotic bartenders and

explore caves to escape the midday sun

and listen to locals’ radio blaring a trop-

ical rhythm. This surreal scene awaits

you at Costa Maya.

Internationally Celebrated Artwork

and Modernized Cruise Terminals

Are Just Part of the Guest

Experience at Port Everglades

Internationally renowned glass sculptor

Dale Chihuly has created beautiful

glass wall sconces for Port Everglades

as part of the Florida port’s continuous

investments in the ultimate cruise guest

experience. Also on the drawing board

are dramatic renovations for Cruise

Terminal 25 that include welcoming

amenities for guests to start every cruise

vacation conveniently and efficiently. In

the last seven years, Port Everglades has

completely renovated six of its nine

cruise terminals with spacious baggage

halls, ample seating, improved traffic

flows and Florida-inspired artwork.

Princess, Norwegian Returning to

Port of Houston Authority

Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise

Line both return to the Port of Houston

Authority’s state-of-the-art cruise termi-

nal in November for the 2015 – 2016 sea-

sons. Caribbean Princess returns

November 4 for seven- and ten-day cruis-

es to Eastern and Western Caribbean des-

tinations, and Norwegian Jade will sail

from the Bayport Cruise Terminal for the

first time beginning November 14. The

cruise terminal is easily accessible from

Intercontinental and Hobby Airports, and

fine restaurants and hotels are nearby.

Cunard Celebrates 175 Years of

Cruising out of New York City

The New York City Economic

Development Corporation and Cunard


Line recently concluded Cunard’s

175th anniversary events with a spec-

tacular light and music show near the

Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.

Cunard is one of several lines sailing

out of NYCruise’s Brooklyn and

Manhattan cruise terminals. The cruise

industry in New York City generated a

total economic impact of $196.8 mil-

lion last year, and over 602,000 passen-

gers embarked on cruises out of

Brooklyn and Manhattan, a 35 percent

increase from 2009.

Port Canaveral’s “New Cove” $130

Million Expansion

Port Canaveral’s has started an exciting

expansion program to enhance the

cruise guest experience. With the

Exploration Tower as an anchor, we are

developing 250,000 square feet of new

shops, restaurants, and upscale hotel.

Entertainment options under considera-

tion include a zip line, laser light show,

concerts and art shows, and world-

renown marine artist, Robert Wyland,

has already opened Wyland Galleries of

Florida. We expect the first phase to be

completed by fall 2016.

Port of Saint John

The Port of Saint John, New

Brunswick, known for having the high-

est tides in the world, recently

announced a major dredging project

that will result in greater accessibility

for the largest cruise ships. The dredg-

ing project is part of the $205 million

West Side Modernization Project and

will be funded by the Government of

Canada, the Province of New

Brunswick and Port Saint John.

Port of New Orleans Gears Up for

More Growth

Port of New Orleans cruise terminals

handled more than 1 million annual

cruise passengers in 2014 for the first

time in its history. As the demand for

cruises from the Big Easy continues to

rise, the Port and its cruise line partners

are meeting the demand. The Port is

currently in the planning stages for a

third cruise terminal not far from the

historic French Quarter and the existing

state-of-the-art cruise terminals.

Exciting New Changes Coming to

Port Tampa Bay

As Tampa continues to stand out as a

premier destination, a bold new plan for

Channelside has been unveiled. The

new vision plan will add pedestrian-

friendly access to the waterfront and an

exciting new setting for guests cruising

from Port Tampa Bay. Tampa offering a

variety of cruise itineraries and han-

dling 900,000 passengers annually

from seasonal and year-round calls by

lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Holland

America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line,

and Royal Caribbean International.

PPI Group

PPI Group’s Broadcast Operations

Division is a team of creative, talented,

and experienced producers and editors

dedicated to successfully reaching your

audience. Our award-winning, custom

programming includes commercials,

sales promotions, destination features,

shore excursion experiences, and prod-

uct marketing. Our in-house, state-of-

the-art digital video facility allows us to

produce high-quality content that offers

the best value for your budget and with-

in your brand guidelines. Find out what

a custom video can do for your business

at www.PPIGroup.com.

Seatrade Cruise Global

Seatrade Cruise Global (formerly

Cruise Shipping Miami) is the leading

global event for the cruise industry,

bringing together buyers and suppliers

for a week of networking, sourcing, and

education. The 2016 event marks a

transition year, With a move to the Fort

Lauderdale Broward County

Convention Center during the Miami

Beach Convention Center’s renovation,

the 2016 event marks a transition and

fresh feel while continuing a tradition

of excellence and quality programming.

The exhibit hall is already 70 percent

booked, and planning for the confer-

ence portion is underway.



As president of the Florida-

Caribbean Cruise Association, I

might be slightly biased to the

Caribbean, but nobody can deny its

importance to the cruise industry. The

birthplace of modern cruising from

North America, the Caribbean has

grown up with the industry, from about

8 million passenger arrivals 20 years

ago to more than 20 million expected

from FCCA Member Lines this year.

Growing alongside the passenger

arrivals were billions of dollars in pas-

senger and cruise line spending, with

passenger spending increasing from

approximately $70.00 20 years ago to

$96.00 in 2012; infrastructure, product

and destination development, from

tours and ports to entire cruising desti-

nations, such as Falmouth, Jamaica

and Puerto Plata, Dominican

Republic; and job creation, from tour

operators and taxi drivers to shop owners

and port workers.

How did the Caribbean evolve into

such a dominant cruise tourism mar-

ket? Well, its proximity to United

States ports, long-standing record of

safety, friendly citizens and year-

round sunny weather certainly didn’t

hurt. And where else can a cruise pas-

senger lounge on a beach; dive into a

waterfall; raft along a river; trek across

a desert; hike up a mountain or vol-

cano; and zipline through a forest—all

in one trip?

The Caribbean offers not just all of

these sites and experiences, but also a

unique assortment of cultures and

cuisines, as well as a history that both

incorporates these influences and

creates a completely individual identity.

On that one trip, a passenger can see

Dutch architecture and taste French

fare on the same island and experience

the Spanish and British influences and

history, along with the Creole fusion of

all of the above.

These features are crucial to cruisers,

which Caribbean Tourism Organization’s

Future Caribbean Cruise Travel Survey

confirmed in its findings that cruise

passengers are more interested in

destinations than ships, particularly

valuing cultural heritage and culinary

experiences.

However, cruise destinations and mar-

kets now face global competition, with

destinations like China growing expo-

nentially and the Mediterranean pre-

dicting a record year. In fact, even


The Cruise Industry’s and Caribbean’sGrowth Has Only Just Begun

By Michele M. Paige, President, FCCA

though the Caribbean again holds the

overwhelming lead in global deploy-

ment capacity share with nearly 36 per-

cent, this figure decreased almost two

percent from last year, whereas Asia

increased more than two percent.

So how can the Caribbean continue to

grow with the cruise industry’s rapidly

expanding passenger capacity and ports

of call? The same CTO study says it

well: “[the] Caribbean’s ability to stim-

ulate the required demand will be

directly dependent upon its capacity to

refresh and reinvent its tourism

economies by effectively adapting to

the ever-changing global environment,

pushing the envelope, taking risks and

launching innovations, which consis-

tently deliver on changing consumer

expectations.”

And cruise lines call where there is

demand. This is why the FCCA works

with destinations to employ a similar

business model as the cruise lines—

built on innovation and differentiation,

focused on offering constantly new and

refreshed products that align with a

brand to motivate new and past passen-

gers to not just cruise, but to experience

a particular product and stimulate

demand of a variety of cruisers, from

first-timers to those who have been

there, but haven’t done that.

The FCCA helps Caribbean destinations

brand themselves in the same way, with

their unique history and offerings so

passengers want to not simply cruise the

Caribbean, but sample particular islands

and products. Platinum Membership

with the FCCA comes with a custom-

tailored strategy to assist destinations’

private and public sectors by learning

about their individual issues and goals

and then utilizing our knowledge of and

contacts in the industry to formulate an

action plan that optimizes their cruise

tourism impact.

These plans have helped destinations

like Martinique and Mazatlan, Mexico

grow from five-year FCCA Member

Line passenger arrival lows of 23,000

and zero to expecting more than 270,000

and 190,000, respectively, this year.

FCCA Platinum Membership also pro-

vides direct access to some of the

industry’s most important figures—

Member Line presidents, CEOs and

executives who decide where ships call,

what sells onboard and how to invest in

infrastructure.

Platinum Members meet with these key

decision makers through an overarch-

ing program blending business and

pleasure to forge relationships that

often lead to patronage, which Platinum

Members experience this while propos-

ing a new business model at a meeting

or cementing a deal over dinner.

From private events and meetings dur-

ing the FCCA Conference & Trade

Show and Cruise Shipping Miami to

access to Operations Committee meet-

ings and exclusive Platinum events

linking members and executives,

Platinum Members have a full assort-

ment of opportunities to expand their

reach, understanding and business in

the cruise industry.

Of course, simply attending events or

joining associations will not be enough

to increase business and compete on the

global field; destinations and compa-

nies must employ the same cruise line

model of constant innovation and dif-

ferentiation. If they do, they will con-

tinue to drive demand for repeat cruis-

ers and the wave of new cruisers the

industry is currently targeting—not just

from North America, but also from the

freshly converted global markets.

After all, cruisers are historically loyal;

they begin to sample different cruise

products, such as luxury liners, along

with multiple destinations. Just as many

North American cruisers first sail the

Caribbean before taking a

Mediterranean cruise, the Caribbean

can attract passengers from across

the seas.

Driving this demand will also ensure

that the Caribbean gains from the cruise

lines’ ever-increasing capacity through

bigger and better ships, with 33 new

ocean-going vessels and more than

100,000 berths on the order book.

(Keep in mind that the Caribbean had

over 50 percent of the deployment

share 20 years ago when it also

received less than half of its current

passengers.)

Plus other opportunities exist, such as

partnering with cruise lines to offer tai-

lored destination products that appeal to

particular cruise brands’ demographics.

Yes, the Caribbean has grown up with

the industry and experienced a surge in

cruise passengers; benefitted from

billions of dollars in passenger spending

and job development; and seen entire

cities transformed by cruise line invest-

ments. But there is room to grow for the

cruise industry, the Caribbean and

regional cruise tourism stakeholders,

especially if all work together

proactively and synergistically.


“…destinations and companies must

employ the same cruise line model of

constant innovation and differentia-

tion. If they do, they will continue to

drive demand…”

From June 18-24, over 20 senior-

level cruise executives and about

100 FCCA Platinum Members

joined in Puerto Plata, Dominican

Republic for the PAMAC Summit—a

five-day event packed with meetings

and social functions designed to forge

relationships and mutual understanding

between Platinum Members and some

of the most significant decision makers

in the industry, Member Line cruise

executives from varying fields,

including shore excursions, port

operations, itinerary development and

product development.

It began on June 24th, when attendees

flew in and observed the destination’s

beauty while transported to the lavish

Gran Ventana Hotel. They then prepared

for the welcoming event, a beach BBQ

where members and executives met or

reacquainted themselves while dis-

cussing their latest developments, from

business expansions to family additions.

After all, one of the most valuable

aspects of Platinum Membership is the

familiarity it breeds between members

and executives through regular contact

during events like these.

The collaboration possible by joining

some of the destinations’ private and

public sectors’ premier players with

FCCA Member Line cruise executives

is also the best way to nurture future

business and learn from each other.

Conversation flows freely through the

casual atmosphere and guarantees that

every member has the ability to inter-

act with executives, comfortable

enough to speak freely and ask the nec-

essary questions.

The next day began one of the event’s

most important proceedings, the

PAMAC Meeting. In this semi-annual

meeting, Platinum Members gather


Cruise Line Executives and FCCA Platinum Members Gather in Puerto Plata for FCCA PAMAC Summit

around cruise executives and other par-

ticipants with valuable knowledge lead-

ing a panel to share and discuss the lat-

est developments and issues in the

industry—from the global and national

level to members’ individual concerns,

questions and input. Any topic is open

to conversation by the members, panel

and executives in order to ensure that

everyone in attendance is informed of

the latest happenings and how to best

actualize the knowledge gained. Plus

Platinum Members can present their

own developments and plans.

“The PAMAC Meeting is extremely

important, as it ensures that the commu-

nications between FCCA Platinum

Members and the Member Lines remain

open, allows the members to articulate

their challenges face-to-face with the

cruise lines, whilst also providing an

opportunity to learn from each other, and

discuss what measures might be required

by either the members in their respective

destinations or by the lines to ensure that

the guest experience can be improved,

along with the respective destination rat-

ings,” told Russell Daya, executive direc-

tor global port operations & develop-

ments, Disney Cruise Line, and chairman

of the FCCA Operations Committee.

Following this meeting was a focus on

something of growing importance—

destinations providing German-speak-

ing guide to improve the experience for

passengers on cruise lines like AIDA

and TUI Cruises.

Platinum Members then had a chance

to meet one-on-one with pre-selected

cruise executives who best applied to

their products or destinations and

provided an opportunity to talk shop

with those who decide what sells

onboard, where ships call and how to

invest in infrastructure.

“The one-on-one meetings allow for us

to learn about Platinum Members’ new


developments and products and help

fine-tune them to best fit the cruise lines;

it gives Platinum Members a real van-

tage point in knowing what the lines are

looking for and how to appeal to them,”

told Federico Gonzalez-Denton, associ-

ate vice president, government relations

for Latin America and the Caribbean,

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

The meeting-packed day then took a load

off with a visit to Ocean World Adventure

Park. After the activities and lounging,

members and executives previewed the

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal.

Besides being entertaining and displaying

some of Puerto Plata’s destination prod-

ucts to the prominent audience of cruise

executives and tourism stakeholders, this

also exhibited the infrastructure and des-

tination enhancements and improvements

that Carnival Corporation, the Dominican

Republic government and the Puerto

Plata community have collectively devel-

oped over the last few years, as well as

diverse and exciting shore excursions

offerings put together through the collab-

oration of the Carnival Cruise Line tour

operations team and numerous existing

and new tour operators in the region.

“We were very proud to show FCCA

Platinum Members the result of our

work with the Dominican Republic

government and community of Puerto

Plata alongside our JV partner to wel-

come cruise guests to a new and excit-

ing cruise destination destined to

become a passenger-favorite for a long

time to come,” told David Candib, vice

president, development & operations,

Carnival Corporation.

That night’s farewell dinner event com-

pleted the day’s balance of work and

play. Members and executives could

close deals from earlier meetings or

chat about their fun on tours while

enjoying Dominican delicacies. The

Dominican Republic Ministry of

Tourism pulled out all the stops to leave

a lasting impression and display their

vivacious culture, complete with festive

dances and fire twirling.

The final day for some and last tour

for others gave members and execu-

tives a chance to fly home or experi-

ence Cayo Arena “Paradise Island”

and the historical site of La Isabela,

where they could take in the destina-

tion’s rich history or dip into the crys-

tal-clear water.

A final breakfast followed the next

morning, and the eggs came with a side

of talks ranging from meeting topics to

the desire to stay longer. This showed

one of the FCCA’s greatest resources

and why it offers events like these—to

forge relationships between the mem-

bers and executives that lead to busi-

ness and understanding.

Of course, this was only possible

through the Dominican Republic’s hard

work and generous provisions. These

efforts set the stage for many to

improve their cruise tourism business,

and Puerto Plata’s beautiful land,

wealth of destination products and hos-

pitable people showed cruise execu-

tives why Amber Cove will be a promi-

nent cruise destination.


“…it gives Platinum Members a real vantage point in knowing

what the lines are looking for and how to appeal to them.” -

Federico Gonzalez-Denton, AVP, Government Relations, Latin

America and the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

DOMINICAN REPUBLICDOMINICAN REPUBLICHAS IT ALLHAS IT ALL

By land or by sea.

Anlike nowhere else.

Atlantis holds a lifetime of spectacular memories. At Dolphin Cay get up close with playful dolphins and friendly sea lions. Aquaventure is one of the largest and most thrilling water parks in the world. And continue the rush at Atlantis Casino.

Learn more about our programs on our cruise partners’ websites: Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, MSC Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines or Royal Caribbean International. To begin off ering Atlantis Excursions through your cruise line, please contact [email protected].

Atlantis. There’s no such thing as too much amazing.

DOLPHIN CAYAQUAVENTURE

For more than 20 years, the FCCA

Conference & Trade Show has

showcased the host destination—

its culture, gastronomy, wealth of offer-

ings and ability to orchestrate an event

and cater to all kinds of guests.

Cozumel and the entire country certain-

ly have plenty to highlight to the influ-

ential audience of tourism stakeholders

and cruise executives.

One of the main things on display is the

dedication to cruise tourism that led to

Cozumel hosting the event for the sec-

ond time, the same dedication that

regained the lost cruise calls from a

downturn in 2012 and 2013.

Roberto Borge Angulo, governor of

Quanta Roo, spearheaded this resur-

gence by holding a meeting between

all Mexican governors along with the

FCCA and Member Line executives.

Taking place in Mazatlan, which had

just lost its cruise calls, the meeting

was symbolic. It showed Mazatlan’s

safety—and the undertaken security

efforts—first-hand, but it also trans-

mitted the message that Mexico want-

ed to regain the lost ships by any

means necessary.

President Enrique Peña Nieto and his

administration then engaged a positive,

proactive, countrywide approach.

Under the direction of Claudia Ruiz

Massieu Salinas, secretary of tourism,

the lines of communication were

opened between the cruise industry and

Mexico’s various departments—

including tourism, immigration and

transportation—along with all of its

port authorities.

Yet the most important part was mov-

ing past the talk and into action. Many

Mexican states utilized the information

communicated to them, constantly

developing and improving destination

products to custom-fit the cruise lines’

needs and requests.

These results were seen almost imme-

diately, with FCCA Member Lines

sending more than one million addi-

tional passengers to Mexico—a 25 per-

cent increase—between 2013 and 2014.

Plus states and/or ports that fully com-

mitted to action by becoming Platinum

Members headlined this growth,


Cozumel and Mexico on Display at FCCA Conference & Trade Show

accounting for more than 960,000 of

the passenger arrival difference.

Of course, this is not the only reason

that Cozumel will receive over 3 mil-

lion passengers this year from FCCA

Member Lines, with Mexico seeing

over 5.5 million overall. Much of the

rich culture, UNESCO-designated

gastronomy, diverse destination prod-

uct and developed infrastructure mak-

ing these numbers possible are in the

limelight at the FCCA Conference &

Trade Show.

Social functions planned by Cozumel

and its partnership with the government

and local businesses will display its

exciting setting, activities and WOW

factor through some of the same expe-

riences and venues that cruise passen-

gers see and do.

“The FCCA appreciates Cozumel’s

efforts and commitment to making the

22nd annual FCCA Conference &

Trade Shows one of the best events

yet,” said Michele Paige, president,

FCCA. “It has pulled out all the stops to

woo the cruise executives and atten-

dees, allowing all to see the offerings of

and dedication to cruise tourism that

has led it to resurging as one of the

world’s leading cruise destinations.”

Plus Cozumel will display the third

Puerta Maya berth, which Carnival

Corporation will inaugurate this win-

ter. And Costa Maya is actualizing the

event’s opportunities by bringing exec-

utives to a quick post-conference

familiarization trip to see its latest

developments, including a major new

attraction, the Lost Mayan Kingdom

water park.

“We are thrilled to bring the FCCA’s

22nd Conference and Trade Show to

Cozumel to showcase what that the city

and country offer, as well as why and

how they have become one of the top

cruising destinations,” told Micky

Arison, chairman of Carnival

Corporation and the FCCA.

In all, the FCCA Conference & Trade

Show will create the perfect forum for

exchanging information, sharing

ideas, forging relationships and learn-

ing how to increase cruise tourism

from the knowledge and relationships,

along with the lessons from Mexico’s

success story.


As we embark on the completion

and opening of two critical pro-

jects in the Caribbean region,

Amber Cove in the Dominican

Republic and expansion of Puerta

Maya in Cozumel, it’s a great time to

take a step back and reflect upon the

milestones achieved along the way.

The combination of these two projects

amount to approximately $110 million

in capital expenditure and represent

many years of collaboration with our

industry partners, governments and

teams internally. With 34 percent of

cruise guests sailing on Caribbean

cruises, the region represents the

largest market for us (and the industry)

and is larger than the next two closest

regions combined. Clearly, the

Caribbean is extremely important to

our business, and its popularity for

cruising continues to affirm our deep

commitment to the region.

As we look at our pier development of

adding a third berth at Puerta Maya,

Cozumel—which has the distinction of

being one of the cruise industry’s top

two transit ports worldwide—it signi-

fies that we not only need to invest in

new and exciting destinations, but also

find ways for mature and successful

destinations to continue to grow or

enhance the guest experience.

This October signals a decade since

Hurricane Wilma devastated the island

of Cozumel and our port Puerta Maya.

Given the very challenging scope and

sequencing of construction of a new

port and removal of the existing pier’s

debris, we were not able to reopen the

port until October 2008. Although we

incorporated the design of the new pier

in its reconstruction back in 2005, we

were only able to make the business

case for an additional berth and initiate

the work in the last two years.

Since reopening of Puerta Maya in

2008, we have learned that Cozumel,

as mature a destination there is, pos-

sesses the key attributes warranting

such a large direct capital expenditure

and our long-term commitment. First

and most importantly, it remains a very

safe and secure destination, while also

maintaining its position as one of the

favorite destinations among our guests

and crew.

We extend a heartfelt thanks to those

we have worked with at all levels of

government, in the local community

and other key stakeholders for ensuring

that cruising and tourism have

remained a strategic focus of the desti-

nation. Without the ability to consis-

tently ensure the safety of our guests

and crew, a destination risks the possi-

bility of reduced or even a complete

loss of calls, regardless of how great the

landside and tour offerings may be.


By David Candib, Vice President, Development & Operations, Carnival Corporation & plc

A TAle of Two P or TsAs Carnival Corporation completes two exciting projects—its new Amber Cove

port in the Dominican Republic and a third berth at its pier in Cozumel—it shows

how networking at industry conferences leads to progress and prosperity.

In addition, we found that after the

opening of our pier in 2008, with the

industry new builds and ship sizes

growing, Cozumel actually witnessed a

“reduction” in available berths. This

reduction of berths came about due to

the existing marine infrastructure. In

the past, two of the three piers in

Cozumel were able to accommodate

three ships alongside. However,

because the size of some cruise ships

has grown, two of the three piers can

really only generally accommodate two

ships alongside today. This meant that

certain cruise lines, including some of

our own, were faced with lack of avail-

able berths in the winter season and had

to plan alternate itineraries.

With our project at Puerta Maya almost

complete, Cozumel can now offer addi-

tional capacity to the industry for the

first time in many years. In turn, more

cruise ship guests bring additional

shoreside opportunities to take advan-

tage of. Cozumel’s government and

tourism businesses, with year-round

cruise business most others envy, can

work with the industry on exploring

ways to continue making the destina-

tion highly popular among guests and

crew. As the saying goes, we put our

money where our mouth is, but it’s now

also a time where those locally can

evaluate and explore new business

opportunities or expand current opera-

tions not only for the hopeful growth in

calls, but also from Cozumel’s many

repeat guests.

One way for those already in the cruise

industry, or wishing to be part of it, to

gain additional insight and present

opportunities is by participating in con-

ferences and events, such as the FCCA

annual conference. The sessions pro-

vide entrepreneurs and businesses with

direct access to decision makers in the

industry. The session workshops and

one-on-one meetings provide excellent

avenues to seek insight for discussing

ideas and opportunities for additional

collaboration. It is safe to say you will

not find a cruise line executive who will

not be interested in learning about

activities or experiences that can either

further distinguish and enhance a desti-

nation or provide a new means for

increasing revenue.

This is a great lead into a discussion on

the opening of Amber Cove on the

north coast of the Dominican Republic.

A joint venture project with the Rannik

family of Grupo B&R, Amber Cove

represents our single largest port devel-

opment project to date, which continues

our philosophy of providing our portfo-

lio of 10 cruise brands new and exciting

itineraries and deployment options.

Amber Cove will be featured on contin-

uous itineraries in the cruise industry

for the first time in over 25 years, and

the enthusiasm is building within the

travel trade and cruise industry.

Perfectly nestled in an idyllic bay with

the backdrop and breathtaking views of

the mountainous region, Amber Cove

will surely capture the imagination of

all visitors.

We have had an interest in calling on

the Puerto Plata region since the late

1990s, evaluating a variety of projects

over the years. Finally at the 2010

FCCA annual conference held in Santo

Domingo, we were introduced to the

Rannik family. This first meeting is

another great example of why attending

various conferences and industry

events offers business opportunities.

As a completely new destination, the

challenges and steps involved in Amber

Cove’s development varied significant-

ly from that of our expansion efforts in

Puerta Maya. While Puerto Plata had

existing tourism infrastructure in place,

this was geared towards hotel guests at

all-inclusive properties. This meant that

we needed to work with government

and local community to adapt and


A delegation from Carnival Corporation led by Arnold Donald, President and CEOmeeting with Cozumel's mayor Fredy Marrufo Martín while visiting Puerta Maya.

enhance certain elements of the desti-

nation and focus on developing experi-

ences that would be popular with our

guests.

For example, the historic city center

and grand malecon of Puerto Plata have

not been a highlight or main feature for

many hotel guests. That is not the case

for cruise guests exploring the destina-

tion in an approximate eight-hour win-

dow, a good number of who enjoy mak-

ing their way around and exploring the

city center. This required evaluating

road and infrastructure projects to ease

congestion heading in and out of the

busy city (partially accomplished by

expanding the highway to four lanes)

while beautifying and enhancing the

historical town square.

Consideration was also given to ways

to enhance the experience by linking

the historical fort, malecon and town

square, creating an experience unto

itself. The improvements and expected

flow of cruise guests to the town areas

will surely serve as a boon to business-

es and attract entrepreneurs to open

new businesses catering to tourism. As

the town of Puerto Plata grows into a

destination unto itself, we are likely to

see ripple effects within the economy,

as it is likely that the town will soon

attract hotel guests staying in Puerto

Plata and the surrounding cities as a

new option.

Two great examples of working with

our industry partners and organizations

like the FCCA are evidenced by the taxi

drivers and tour guides. The Dominican

Republic Tourism Ministry has com-

mitted to utilizing FCCA’s Taxi Pride

training program for taxi drivers in

Puerto Plata, which will educate the

taxi drivers on what to expect when

cruise guests arrive. This is critical, as

many in our industry will tell you that

taxi drivers are ambassadors to your

destination. After all, many times they

are the first and last local people who

cruise guests encounter. Most often,

ensuring a guest’s seamless and enjoy-

able experience with a taxi ride will

leave a good impression of the destina-

tion. Additionally, the tourism ministry

has committed to working with Aquila

Cruise Excellence, an FCCA Platinum

Member and partner with great experi-

ence and specialized programs on train-

ing tour guides, which will also be a

critical component of guest experiences

in Puerto Plata.

Mico Cascais, Erika Tache and their

team at Carnival Cruise Line have done

an excellent job working with both

existing and new tour operators to

ensure amazing and diverse shore

excursion offerings. In fact, they have

said that Amber Cove will feature one

of the most diverse set of tour options

found in the Caribbean—and that’s

even before the arrival of the first ship!

As we have said before, Amber Cove is

not the destination; rather, it serves as

the gateway to the beautiful Amber

Coast and its plentiful sites and activi-

ties. There is so much to offer already,

and the potential is there for operators

and entrepreneurs to capitalize on what

is destined to become a favorite of all

who visit. Our ability to open a port

within five years of our first meeting

has only been made possible by having

a government (including two different

administrations) and local community

embrace the project and its potential to

have a far-reaching impact on the econ-

omy and the lives of local people.

The continued growth and success of

our industry in the Caribbean region

will count heavily upon continued sup-

port from governments and local com-

munities. While our doors are always

open, we have found that the many

industry conferences and trade events

provide unique ways to collaborate

together not only to discuss key issues

at hand, but also provide avenues for

business development.

After all, both ensuring new and excit-

ing destinations are developed and

focusing on existing destination

enhancements and experiences will

continue to make the Caribbean the

industry’s most popular region and pro-

vide countless benefits to many.


FCCA Platinum Conference attendees getting an exclusivetour of Amber Cove while in Puerto Plata this past June.

Next year will mark Norwegian

Cruise Line’s 50th anniversary.

This is an exciting time as we

celebrate the accomplishments that

have led up to our golden anniversary.

At the same time, we are keeping an

eye toward our bright future. In 2016,

Norwegian will launch new itineraries

that highlight incredible ports through-

out Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

While Norwegian is thrilled to expand

to more ports throughout the world, our

dedication to Caribbean cruising con-

tinues unabated. The stories of both

Norwegian and Caribbean cruising will

always be intertwined. The launch of

Norwegian Caribbean Lines in 1966

coincided with the company becoming

the first cruise line to offer weekly

departures from Miami to the

Caribbean.

We were also the first cruise line to

offer a private island experience with

the purchase of Great Stirrup Cay in the

Bahamas in 1977. And in 2006,

Norwegian was the first cruise line to

homeport in New Orleans post-

Hurricane Katrina. Today, 41 percent of

our deployment is in the Caribbean.

And in 2016, that number will increase

to 44 percent, further strengthening the

fact that Norwegian and Caribbean

cruising continues to be synonymous.

The number of destinations that cruise

lines reach is higher than ever before,

with FCCA and/or CLIA Member

Lines anchoring at nearly 1,000 ports

around the world. Many are seeing dou-

ble-digit growth in annual capacity. In

the leisure travel market, the cruise

industry holds the distinction of being

the fastest-growing category. Although

wonderful news for the industry as a

whole, it is essential that all relevant

parties invest in the total Caribbean

experience to guarantee that this vital

region remains a leading cruise destina-

tion long into the future. While the

region today is still the market leader,

progress is always necessary to prevent

losing capacity to other regions.

The Caribbean has much to offer. Its

advantageous location, diversity of des-

tinations, natural beauty and welcom-

ing residents are difficult to match.

Recent statistics emphasize that the

Caribbean still has a strong foothold

within the cruise industry and projected

growth is anticipated in coming years.

For 2015, tourism officials have pre-

dicted an increase of six percent above

2014 overall arrival numbers (26.3 mil-

lion island visitors). That comes on a

more than five-percent increase for

2014 reported by the Caribbean

Tourism Organization (CTO).

The cruise industry would not have had

such success in the Caribbean without

the dedication of our industry partners

who created and still maintain activities

and properties that continue to entice

guests to the region. The future of not

only Norwegian’s business in the

Caribbean, but also of every other

cruise line, depends on fostering and

preserving strong industry-wide part-

nerships. And a 2012 study by Business


Working Together for Future Success in the Caribbean By Andy Stuart, President and Chief Operating Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line

Research and Economic Advisors

found that cruise-related expenditures

from both passengers and crewmem-

bers created more than 45,000 jobs for

local residents, generating over $728

million in wages. The simple truth is

that we all need each other to prosper

and to continue working toward a suc-

cessful future.

Our travel partners play a very impor-

tant role in connecting clients to our

Caribbean vacations, but we need to

differentiate effectively between the

destinations. If locations are all per-

ceived as the same, then we will strug-

gle to keep guests coming back and still

be excited about the experience. The

more personality a destination has, the

easier it is to sell. Travel agents can

help expand on the differences between

the islands and the experiences, so

product knowledge is absolutely vital.

Reinvestment is crucial to remaining

competitive in the global market.

Advances in technology and increased

accessibility have helped the cruise

industry expand worldwide. Places

once considered too remote are now

seen by the public as exotic, once-in-a-

lifetime vacations. So in order for the

Caribbean market to remain viable, tour

operators and cruise lines need to adapt,

evolve and reinvest.

Starting in 2012, Norwegian invested

millions of dollars in Great Stirrup Cay

in The Bahamas to preserve the 250-

acre island and enhance the guest expe-

rience. Updates included nature trails,

new dining opportunities and a new

winding river. And this year, we will

further build upon the guest experience

with the introduction of an exclusive

lagoon, zip lining and an upgraded

kids’ beach area.

In 2016 we look forward to opening our

newest destination Harvest Caye off the

southern coast of Belize. This 75-acre

eco-paradise will provide our guests

with activities and attractions that will

enhance their time in the country.

Although we are expanding deploy-

ment offerings to other parts of the

world, we will continue to offer conve-

nient Caribbean sailings from eight

U.S. ports, three of which are in

Florida. In fact, our two newest ships,

Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian

Escape—sailing this November—will

offer guests year-round

Eastern/Western Caribbean itineraries

from Miami.

Our most awarded ship, Norwegian

Epic, is also returning to the Caribbean,

starting in the fall of 2016 when she

will call Port Canaveral, Florida home.

As she sails to the Western Caribbean,

guests will enjoy more than 20 deli-

cious dining options and an assortment

of award-winning entertainment. .

Ship innovations are a successful strat-

egy to generate demand and promote

Caribbean ports. Setting sail from

Miami this November, Norwegian

Escape has already received an enthusi-

astic response from the public. As our

largest and most innovative ship to-

date, we are excited for guests to enjoy

her many amenities. And what could be

more Caribbean than Jimmy Buffett’s 5

O’Clock Somewhere Bar and also

Margaritaville—for the first time at

sea? Broadway hits, the largest ropes

course at sea and a quarter-mile

wraparound oceanfront promenade

called The Waterfront are just several of

Norwegian Escape’s experiences that

will lure people to the Caribbean.

We have also partnered with famed

wildlife artist, Caribbean resident and

ocean conservationist Guy Harvey for

Norwegian Escape. In addition to pro-

viding the stunning artwork on the hull

of the ship, Dr. Harvey’s organization,

The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation,

produced documentaries that will be

shown in ship staterooms to educate

guests on how they can assist with

marine conservation.

Without vibrant marine life, thriving

reefs and healthy island ecosystems, the

Caribbean will cease to be a leader in

the cruise industry. We all must adapt

best business practices to ensure the

habitats on which our companies

depend continue to flourish. We must

also educate guests on how they can

help preserve the spectacular destina-

tions of the Caribbean for generations

to come.

The cruise lines’ commitment to the

region is unwavering. With the

Caribbean region’s own continued rein-

vestment and evolution of their beauti-

ful islands and ports, it will remain one

of the most attractive cruise destina-

tions in the world for first-time and

repeat guests alike. Working together,

we can keep the cruise industry in the

Caribbean on course for a bright future.


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 a 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 cruise services and visitbayareahouston.com and visithouston.com for information on the region and local attractions.

Port of Houston AuthorityBayport Cruise Terminal | Pasadena, Texas

erm e Truisyport CaB

ena, T TeadeasP|minal

asxe


To attract more cruisers and sur-

pass their expectations every

time they sail with us, the cruise

line industry must continue to add

fresh and innovative shipboard experi-

ences. With the extraordinary growth

of the industry in recent years, we have

seen tremendous leaps in technology,

entertainment and dining. Our guests

not only desire but expect even more

advancements and conveniences dur-

ing their vacations at sea. They also

expect value and an experience that is

free of hassles.

At Disney Cruise Line, we are continu-

ally looking for ways to deliver new

vacation experiences to families and

are committed to investing in our fleet.

In recent years, not only have we added

capacity with the launch of the Disney

Dream in 2011 and the Disney Fantasy

in 2012, but we are continuously

“reimagining” elements across our

entire fleet. We work closely with our

partners from across the Disney organi-

zation to leverage the stories, brands

and characters that are so cherished by

our guests, bringing them to life aboard

Disney Cruise Line.

This October, we are embarking on our

latest round of ship enhancements

aboard the Disney Dream. During this

dry dock, we will add two new interac-

tive youth areas – one themed to Star

Wars and another to the Disney Infinity

action-adventure video game.

Children will soon be transported to a

far-away galaxy via Star Wars:

Millennium Falcon, a Force-filled play

area inspired by the spacecraft from the

legendary saga. Upon entering the

spaceship, kids will join the Rebel

Alliance in the epic battle of good

versus evil by assisting with the naviga-

tion of this powerful space vehicle.

Sitting in the cockpit, children can pilot

the spaceship through hyperspace and

trigger lightspeed jumps to different

locations around the galaxy.

This new attraction will be located in

Disney Dream’s Oceaneer Club, the

same space where we will also debut

the high-tech Disney Infinity interac-

tive attraction. In the Disney Infinity

area, children can experience a whole

new way of playing together with excit-

ing virtual experiences and immersive

activities. Customized, on-screen

adventures will bring to life characters

Disney Cruise LineDelivers New Vacation Experiences at Sea

By Karl L. Holz, President, Disney Cruise Line


and stories from across The Walt

Disney Company.

Another example of our commitment to

Disney “synergy” is the addition of a

new sweet shop for families on the

Disney Dream. Vanellope’s Sweets and

Treats will satisfy the sweet tooth of

cruisers of all ages, and its appearance

will resemble the whimsical candy land

of the Sugar Rush race car game from

the film “Wreck-It Ralph.” The shop

will offer handmade gelato and ice

cream, an assortment of candy, and

delectable novelty treats for purchase.

New to Deck 11, the smell of freshly

baked waffle cones and candy will

linger from the specialty store’s two

entrances. The sweet shop’s décor will

feature nods to the film, including a

race track and checkerboard patterned

floor, gas pump-style gumball dis-

pensers, Vanellope’s race car and King

Candy’s throne.

Our magical makeover salon – Bibbidi

Bobbidi Boutique – will also be added

to the ship during dry dock. Coming to

Deck 5 midship, this salon will bring to

life the storybook fantasies of young

guests with pixie-dusted and pirate-

themed makeovers, offering aspiring

princesses and adventurers ages three

to 12 the chance to transform into roy-

alty with the help of a fairy godmother-

in-training. On pirate party night this

boutique becomes The Pirates League

where swashbuckling pirates of all ages

will have the opportunity to unleash

their “Inner Buccaneer.”

Disney Cruise Line also remains

focused on introducing new adult

vacation experiences as well. Among

the enhancements being made to the

Disney Dream will be the addition of

a new water feature, Satellite Falls,

an adult-exclusive feature on Deck

13. This circular splash pool, with

benches and a gently falling rain

curtain, will provide cool comfort for

guests. They’ll soak up the sun in

loungers and relax in the shade under

a canopy.

This wave of enhancements to the

Disney Dream debuts on the Oct. 26

four-night voyage from Port Canaveral

to the Bahamas and Disney’s private

island, Castaway Cay. The Disney

Dream will continue to sail three- and

four-night cruises from Port Canaveral

to the Bahamas throughout 2015 and

into 2016.

At Disney Cruise Line, we are always

striving to bring new and exciting

elements to our ships, whether it’s fresh

stage shows, entertainment, dining

or merchandise.

Top Photograph: Kids in Disney’s Oceaneer Club will

be transported to a faraway galaxy at Star Wars:

Millennium Falcon, a Force-filled play area inspired by

the spacecraft from the legendary saga. They can

express their creativity through Star Wars-themed

crafts, games and activities, watch episodes from the

new Disney XD animated series, “Star Wars Rebels,”

on a large screen or virtually join the rebellion at

gaming stations featuring the series’ action-packed

adventures. This new space on the Disney Dream

debuts on the Oct. 26 four-night voyage from Port

Canaveral to the Bahamas. (Artist Concept)

Bottom Photograph: Vanellope's Sweets and Treats will

satisfy the sweet tooth of cruisers of all ages, with hand-

made gelato and ice cream, an assortment of candy,

and delectable novelty treats for purchase. Resembling

the whimsical candy land of the Sugar Rush race car

game in “Wreck-It Ralph,” the sweet shop’s décor

features nods to the film, including a race track and

checkerboard patterned floor, gas pump-style gumball

dispensers, Vanellope’s race car and King Candy’s

throne. This new space on the Disney Dream debuts on

the Oct. 26 four-night voyage from Port Canaveral to the

Bahamas. (Artist Concept)

The cruise industry recently made some large

announcements benefiting the environment. A batch of

vessels will start using Liquefied Natural Gas—the

world’s cleanest-burning fossil fuel—to sail the world’s seas

and generate power in port, pioneering a new era in sustain-

able fuels and significantly reducing emissions.

Plus a partnership to support The Nature Conservancy result-

ed in building new coral nurseries in the Caribbean; trans-

planting 20,000 corals in the Bahamas and U.S. Virgin

Islands; and installing new pilot reef enhancement structures

to provide greater habitat for fish and a potential area for

future coral growth in Grenada’s Grenville Bay.

But these announcements are just one pixel in the indus-

try’s big picture to reduce its environmental footprint.

Below are some steps the industry has taken towards a

more sustainable future.

The fCCA’s, Member lines’ and Cruise Industry’s

Commitment to the environment

The cruise industry constantly demonstrates its dedication to

protecting the environment, with policies and best practices that

regularly exceed regulations and demonstrate social responsi-

bilities. Here are some ways the industry and FCCA/CLIA

Member Lines raise the bar on environmental stewardship:

Waste ManagementRecognizing that waste management is fundamental to pro-

tecting the environment, FCCA/CLIA Member Lines

enacted the Waste Management Policy—adopted by the

CLIA Board of Directors and reviewed annually by

Member Line CEOs and periodically by environmental

committee meetings consisting of officers and crew to

assess practices and discuss improvements—to meet or

exceed legal requirements.


Cruise Industry Taking Steps Towards S m a l l e r E n v i r o n m e n t a l F o o t p r i n t

All sewage must be treated to international, regional, nation-

al and local standards prior to any discharge, and the indus-

try’s waste management policies exceed legal requirements.

FCCA/CLIA Member Lines may not discharge untreated

sewage anytime or anywhere.

Member Lines have a zero discharge policy for trash, with

crew following strict waste management plans and compre-

hensive training programs that drive the safe and hygienic

collection, minimization separation, and processing of wastes

onboard and offloads to approved shoreside waste vendors.

Member Lines also promote recycling and waste minimiza-

tion by passengers and crew through announcements and

informational videos and pamphlets, leading to 800,000 tons

recycled each year by cruise lines and the average cruise pas-

senger producing upwards of 70 percent less garbage.

Air Quality ProtectionOver the last decade, the cruise industry has invested signif-

icantly in new technologies that help reduce air emissions,

including:

• Exhaust gas scrubbers

• Diesel electric engines and more efficient engines

• Alternative fuel

• Shore-based power to shut off engines when docked

• Variable ship speeds

Improving Fuel Efficiency and Lowering Energy

ConsumptionBetter fuel efficiency represents a win-win for cruise lines,

with lower costs and environmental impact. Member Lines

have extensively invested in developments to improve fuel

efficiency, along with retiring older ships from the fleet,

meaning a reduction in air emissions. Lines have also low-

ered energy consumption by using heat exchangers that recy-

cle hot water to heat passenger cabins, installing special win-

dow tinting to keep passageways cooler while using less air

conditioning, and switching to low-energy LED lights, with

lighting on newer ships accounting for only about 10 percent

of power consumed—an improvement of nearly 20 percent.

Other initiatives include:

• Ecological hull coatings, with new paints and varnishes

estimated to reduce fuel consumption by as much as five

percent

• Propulsion and hull design optimization

• Solar panels that provide emission-free energy available

on some ships

• Testing of other alternative/renewable forms of energy

(e.g. wind)

• Water used to cool engines also utilized in evaporators to

distill fresh water for the air conditioning system

• Water desalination plants and water use minimization

(low-flow showers and faucets and vacuum toilets)

• High-efficiency appliances and heating, ventilation and

air conditioning systems

• Automatic lighting and air conditioning control systems

Cleaner Water and PlanetThe advanced wastewater treatment systems pioneered by

cruise lines produce cleaner water than most wastewater

treatment facilities in U.S. coastal cities. Many cruise lines

employ practices and procedures substantially more protec-

tive of the environment than required by law.

Team EffortRecognizing that environmental stewardship’s significance

also applies to passenger and crew, the cruise industry active-

ly encourages their assistance through videos and numerous

onboard resource conservation programs and recycling

options.

Checks and BalancesVessels regularly independently monitor their daily water

consumption and other environmental performance mea-

sures, and Member Lines have senior-level staff responsible

for training crewmembers in environmental programs and

implementing required environmental practices onboard.

Though Member Lines pride themselves in establishing best

practices that exceed standards, they must at least comply

with international standards set forth in the International

Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

(MARPOL), the main international convention covering pre-

vention of pollution of the marine environment by all ocean-

going ships, and the International Safety Management (ISM)

Code, which monitors and audits practices for environmental

standards.

Member Lines also work closely with the International

Maritime Organization (IMO) to develop sound environmen-

tal practices; support the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design

Index, which requires a 30 percent reduction in ships’ CO2

emissions by 2025; and meet or exceed international and

national standards for sulfur emissions within Emissions

Control Areas (ECA) and worldwide. In U.S. Waters, the

Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Coast Guard reg-

ulate and enforce rigorous requirements on air, water, power,

and waste, including provisions of the U.S. Clean Water Act

and North America ECA.

For more information about environmental practices, poli-

cies or regulations, please visit www.cruising.org or

www.cruiseforward.org, or contact Bud Darr, SVP, Technical

and Regulatory Affairs, Cruise Lines International

Association.


Explore More Business at Florida’sFastest Growing Cruise Port

e Bsuig CrintactncoSw “ed nnraur BOaee rro mervcosDi

anosaed rns, aurotps bhid setroepmoh

s e’leravveraanat CroP

t 321-783-7831 ext. 251.t aenmploeves Dessinue Bpl 1 oaminere T Tersui” CrtramS

t gestss fa’’s faaidre Flor’es wnosa

tadommh side accoacele bbaojd en njngs aliniae srok moops b

idrl Floratenle Cbsisy accesa

t 321-783-7831 ext. 251.loxper 2014. Ebcemed Deeng nldinuit, broe psuig crinwor

ahes tvitcend ine adders anioies. Ntacipat ccenery 100+ po

o Ort trot peslosn, ciotacoa Lid

ies btunitropps oessinue bhe trloyy. lraes ylaminere tsuiw creg n

.eers herve losuig crinrt baertenace Cpy Sdeenny Krbaeies. N

nnn aliolts 61 mid indo analo Or

y ies b.

co e eliffe eldit wnadunb, aerur ps oles, hrotsiil vaunn

Did you know the FCCA recently

redoubled its efforts to

enhance cruise lines’ purchas-

ing from local suppliers in the

Caribbean and Latin America? Under

the direction of Michael Jones—vice

president of supply chain for Royal

Caribbean Cruises Limited and chair-

man of the FCCA Sourcing

Committee—the FCCA and its

Member Lines have further opened

the lines of communications to

achieve long-term partnership with

local suppliers.

Building strong partnerships with the

supplier base is important to the cruise

industry, as their success depends on

this. Of course, strong partnerships

require time, patience, understanding

and trust to develop; this takes a long-

term commitment to service, along with

hard work, dedication, perseverance

and a strong desire to do business in

this sector.

These are the qualities and partnership

instilled by the FCCA Sourcing

Program. Obviously it informs the

cruise lines about the program partici-

pants and their products, but it also

helps these participants understand the

unique facets of the cruise industry and

how they relate to supply chain.

Cruise lines operate year-round, so

suppliers may be required to deliver

products on the weekends and public

holidays, and perishable items must

last cruises’ duration. Additionally,

there are occasionally last-minute add-

on orders by the vessel, and lines gen-

erally purchase directly for volume to

keep costs down, ensure consistent

supply and maintain uniformity

throughout a fleet.

The cruise business is also market-driv-

en, with its success directly linked with

its ability to provide the goods and ser-

vices that the market demands. Cruise

lines discovered this successful formu-

la long ago, and companies seeking

business in this arena must learn to

position their products to meet the mar-

ket needs and cruise line requirements.

If you believe your company and prod-

ucts meet these criteria, you might be

one step closer to doing business with

the cruise industry. Of course you prob-

ably also want to know what products

cruise lines need.

While many more items are sourced

from the Caribbean and Latin America,

the below items are the most requested

and needed by a cruise vessel in its

ports of call.

Food Products

Produce; fruit; herbs and spices; gro-

ceries (sugar, salt, flour, oil); dairy

products (fresh milk, yogurt, cottage

cheese, ice cream); seafood/shellfish;

bakery items; and sandwich bread,

rolls, etc.

Beverages

Fruit juices, water and soda

Bar

Liquor, beer and wine

Plus food and beverage departments are

making great efforts to develop new

menus and sample different products,

and options reflecting local cuisine

have proven popular.

So if you think you can take the next

step to source business with the cruise

industry, Michael Jones is on hand at

the FCCA Conference & Trade Show,

along with Vina Adams, procurement

manager of food and beverage for

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited.

They will be happy to discuss the pro-

gram in further detail, or you can learn

more about it by visiting the FCCA

website (www.F-CCA.com) or contact-

ing Adam Ceserano ([email protected]

or 954-441-8881).


FCCA Sourcing Committee Lookingto Source Business at the FCCAConference & Trade Show and Beyond

TM

www.portmiami.biz |

Martinique’s visitor charms

have long earned various

accolades. This is the home

of the world’s only AOC rhums, a desig-

nation worthy of the title, “Rum Capital

of The World.” Awards recognizing The

Isle of Flowers as the “Top Caribbean

Island for Delectable Dining”

(Caribbean Travel + Life) and “Best

Caribbean Destination” (About.com)

also grace the island’s trophy case.

In recent months, though, Martinique

has been celebrated like never before,

receiving an avalanche of honors in

recognition of its ever-improving

tourism product and legendary hospi-

tality. Awards earned in the past year

alone include:

• Ranked #1 Must-Visit Place in the

Caribbean in 2015 (Caribbean Journal)

• Ranked in the Top 5 of Best

Romantic Islands in the Caribbean

for 2015 (USA Today)

• Named 2015 Best Caribbean Island

for Romance (Business Insider)

• Martinique’s Club Med Buccaneer’s

Creek Ranked Among ‘Best Hotels

For 2015’ (U.S. News & World Report)

Also notable: the 115 TripAdvisor

Certificate of Excellence Awards won by

various hotels, restaurants, tour opera-

tors, and attractions all over Martinique.

Awarded in recognition of outstanding

service and hospitality, TripAdvisor

Certificates of Excellence are deter-

mined by independent and impartial user

reviews posted on TripAdvisor.com, the

world’s largest travel website with more

than 200 million unique visitors

per-month. In this way, these awards, as

much as anything else, validate the

exceptional quality of the Martinique

tourism product.

Cruise visitors to Martinique, in par-

ticular, can expect an award-worthy

experience when calling at Fort-de-France

during the 2015-2016 cruise season.

Centrally located in the Eastern

Caribbean between St. Lucia and

Dominica, Martinique still epitomizes

the distinctly French aesthetic that

earned its former capital city, Saint-

Pierre, the moniker The Paris of the

West Indies in the late-1800s. In its

style, inventive cuisine, trendy bou-

tiques, seaside beauty and joie de vivre,

no destination in the Caribbean better

espouses French Riviera chic. At the

same time, Martinique’s deeply rooted

authentic Creole, African and Indian

influences offer rich cultural discoveries

not found anywhere else.

Cruise passengers get a sense of

Martinique’s dynamism immediately

upon coming ashore in Fort-de-

France and entering the Martinique

Cruise Village.

Initially launched for the 2013-2014


Award-Winning EscapesMade Easy in Martinique

cruise season, The Cruise Village provides

a vibrant and colorful welcome to The

Isle of Flowers. In it, cruise guests are

met with English-speaking vendors

accepting U.S. dollars and selling all

types of local arts, crafts, jewelry, skin

care products, perfumes, designer

accessories and souvenirs. Helpful and

informative guides are also on hand

offering tips on what to see, do, taste,

and experience during port calls in

Fort-de-France.

For entertainment, The Cruise Village

features live music with Creole dance

performances at regular intervals.

Tastings of Martinique’s legendary

rhum agricole brands are also on offer.

The Cruise Village is located right at

the entrance to the Pointe Simon Cruise

Terminal, making it impossible to miss

for passengers disembarking there.

History buffs arriving in Martinique by

cruise ship will also revel in the many

important sites and attractions scat-

tered about the downtown Fort-de-

France area, all within a short distance

of the twin cruise ports at Pointe Simon

and Tourelles.

The St. Louis Cathedral and the

Schoelcher Library, two master works

of architecture designed by Henri Picq,

a contemporary of Gustave Eiffel, in

the 1800s; the vaunted Fort St. Louis,

reopened just last summer for the first

time since 9/11; La Savane; the 100

year-old Palais de Justice and so much

more, all located within a few blocks of

each other.

Recently, the City of Fort-de-France

launched self-guided audio tour maps,

making it easier for travelers to discov-

er and enjoy these historic attractions.

Available for rent through The Fort-de-

France Tourism Office, the new maps

are equipped with audio pens that

enable visitors to hear details on fea-

tured attractions simply by pointing the

pens on the attractions on the map.

Audio is available in a choice of

English, French, Spanish, and Italian,

with additional languages to be added

in the coming months.

For those interested in eschewing the

urban charms of the city in favor of a

more resort-like experience, the quaint

seaside enclave of Trois-Ilets is an

award unto itself. Lying across the Bay

of Fort-de-France a quick 15-minute

ferry ride away, the Point du Bout

section of Trois-Ilets entices with a fine

collection of boutique shops, cafes,

bars and hotels offering faint echoes of

St. Tropez.

Shopping adventures in downtown Fort-

de-France and Trois-Ilets are also easier

on the wallet these days as the U.S.

dollar continues to remain strong versus

the euro on global currency markets.

This ensures that American travel bud-

gets will extend further in Martinique

than at any time in the past decade.

Anyone keen on cruising to Martinique

during the 2015-2016 cruise season will

be rewarded with more choices than

ever before as well. Every major North

American cruise line includes stops in

Fort-de-France during the coming year,

with a record 22 ships making their

first-ever port calls in Fort-de-France.

It all adds up to an unparalleled cruise

travel experience with rewards-a-

plenty in the most awarded island in

the Caribbean.


Previous page: Grande Anse des Salines, photo by

Luc Olivier

Top: Habitation Clement's rum, photo by Luc Olivier

Middle: Fort-de-France Ancienne Mairie, photo by

Antoine Omere

Bottom: Rocher du Diamant, photo by Dclik

Like most Caribbean islands,

Bonaire’s economy is heavily

sustained by the tourism sec-

tor. Over the years, cruise tourism

was deemed a viable option to

increase tourists’ arrivals and rev-

enue to the island. To support this

economic growth opportunity, it was

crucial to analyze and understand the

needs of the cruise industry in order

to ensure growth and sustainability of

Bonaire’s cruise tourism product.

The recent partnership with the

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association

(FCCA) proved to be fruitful, as it

helped in identifying the cruise sec-

tor opportunities, generating action

plans to enhance the destination and

challenging the level of customer ser-

vice offered by Bonaire’s private sec-

tor. In 2012, Bonaire’s average num-

ber of cruise ship passengers was

approximately 150,000. In 2013,

Bonaire joined the ranks of other

Caribbean islands and became

an FCCA Platinum Member with

the objective to gradually increase

that number.

Using its membership proactively,

Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB)

has built a solid reputation for its cruise

tourism product. Its representatives

have attended many FCCA-affiliated

events that benefit its members; partic-

ipated in trade shows and conferences,

including the PAMAC Cruise Summit,

Cruise Shipping Miami and Platinum

Member events organized to help

develop business, relationships and

understanding between members and

Member Lines. As a result of TCB’s

continued presence at these events and

high profile among cruise line execu-

tives, Bonaire managed to increase its

market visibility.

The 2013/2014 season brought

170,000 cruise ship passengers to

Port Kralendijk, and the forecast for

the 2014/2015 season was approxi-

mately 185,000 passengers. In

January 2015, Bonaire welcomed

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival

Liberty, marking the first time the

cruise line had called Bonaire.

Furthermore, Bonaire will be added

to the itineraries of Pullmantur

Cruises in September 2015, and

Norwegian Cruise Line will include

Bonaire in its itineraries for the first

time beginning in November 2015.

By the end of 2015, Bonaire could see

an influx of 250,000 cruise.

Consequently, Bonaire is also anticipat-

ing a boost in its cruise tourism for the

2016 calendar year and forecasting the

arrival of 400,000 cruise ship passen-

gers. It will also be the first time that

the destination will have year-round

cruise ship calls.

For Bonaire, FCCA Platinum

Membership has had its advantages.

The membership afforded TCB and its

cruise tourism representatives direct

access to top executives in the cruise

industry. The membership provided

Bonaire with the opportunity to experi-

ence exclusive one-on-one meetings,

receptions and attend private lunch

meetings during the FCCA Conference

and Trade Show. Bonaire’s presence at

the FCCA workshops and panel discus-

sions gave way to networking opportu-

nities and to gathering invaluable

industry intelligence. Given the value

proposition of the membership,

Bonaire’s cruise tourism representa-

tives look forward to working with the

association in the years ahead, and to

continue to develop a viable and unique

port of call in the Southern Caribbean.


By Tourism Corporation Bonaire

Membership Has Its Privileges:Bonaire Champions FCCA Platinum Membership


FCCA Platinum Associate Member Listing

Administracion Portuaria Integral de Quintana Roo(APIQROO)

Administracion Portuaria Integral de Puerto Madero S.A de C.V.

Administracion Portuaria Integral de Sonora (API Sonora)

Ambassatours Gray Line - Murphy's The Cable Wharf

American Guard Services, Inc.

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority

Aon Risk Services

Appleton Estate Rum Tour

Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence

Aruba Tourism Authority

Aruba Ports Authority N.V.

Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas

Authority of Tourism Panama

Bacardi Global Travel Retail

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

Bamboo Beach Club

Banana Coast Cruise Port

Barbados Port Inc.

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

Belize Tourism Board (BTB)

Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Inc

Blue Planet Tours

Bridgetown Cruise Terminals Inc

British Virgin Islands Port Authority

British Virgin Islands Tourist Board

Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA)

Camara de Comercio y Produccion de Puerto Plata, Inc.

Carib Resort Inc (St. Maarten Sightseeing Tours)

Caribbean Cruise Shipping & Tours Limited

Carnival Sailing

Cartagena De Indias Cruise Ship Terminal

Cayman Island Department of Tourism

CH2M Hill, Inc

Chukka Caribbean Adventures

Colombian Goverment Trade Bureau - PROCOLOMBIA

Corporacion de Costas Tropicales Colon 2000

Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme - Martinique Tourism Authority

Connecting Waves N.V.

Continental Shipping Inc.

Coordinacion Maritima y Turistica S.A de C.V

Costa Rica Tourist Board (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo)

Cox & Company Ltd

Cruise & Port Advisors, Inc

Cruise Ship Excursions Inc.

Curacao Ports Authority

Diamonds International

Discover Dominica Authority

Dolphin Cove Ltd

Dolphinaris - Tagepa

Dominica Air & Sea Port Authority

Effy Jewelry

El Salvador Tourism Board - Corporacion Salvadoreña de Turismo

Ensenada Cruiseport Village

Eventstar Structures, Corp.

Evermarine LLC (Port Amador)

Explora Caribe Tours, S.A de C.V. (Pelicanos Tours)

Fideicomiso de Turismo Puerto Vallarta

FMT North America - FMT Seaport Technology

Fonatur - Operadora Portuaria, S.A de C.V.

Fort Street Tourism Village Ltd.



Foster & Ince Cruise Services

Freeport Harbour Company Bahamas

Fury Catamarans

Grenada Tourism Authority

Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board

Guatemala Tourism Board - INGUAT

H.H.V. Whitchurch & Co. Ltd

Honduras Institute of Tourism

Hospitales Amerimed, S.A de C.V.

Huggins Tours Inc.

I Arquitectos S.A. de C.V.

Jacksonville Port Authority

Mac Maritime, Inc

MERA Corporation. MV Cozumel S.A.

Mexico Tourism Board

Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic

Montserrat Development Corporation

New York City Economic Development Corp. - NYCRUISE

Nicaraguan Tourism Board (Intur)

Office of Tourisme De Saint Martin

Operadora Aviomar S.A. de C.V.

Oracle America Inc. (Fidelio Cruise Software GmbH Inc)

Panama Canal Railway Company

Park West Gallery

Playa Mia Grand Beach & Water Park

Port Everglades

Port Canaveral

Port of Galveston

Port of Houston Authority

Port of Los Angeles

Port of New Orleans

Port of Progreso, Yucatan (Coordinacion General de Puertos

y Marina Mercante)

Port of San Diego

Port Saint John

Port Tampa Bay

PortMiami

Prime Distributors (Duty Free World)

Puerto Costa Maya - ( Promociones Turisticas Mahahual )

Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Romasco Group

S.E.L. Maduro & Sons (St Maarten)

San Souci Ports, S.A

Sand Dollar Sports

Secretaria de Turismo del Estado de Baja California Sur -

Tourism Ministry of Baja California Sur.

Secretaria de Turismo Sinaloa

Secretary of Tourism State of Guerrero - (Secretaria de

Fomento Turistico del Estado de Guerrero)

Starboard Cruise Services

St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority

St. Kitts Tourism Authority

St. Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority

St. Lucia Tourist Board

St. Maarten Harbour Consultancy N.V.

St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies

St. Maarten Tender Services - (Bobby's Marina N.V. SXM

Tender Services- Great Bay Express)

St. Vincent & the Grenadines Port Authority (Kingstown Criuse

Terminal)



Stericycle LATAM

Suburban Transportation

The Port Authority of Jamaica

The PPI Group / Panoff Publishing

The Pirate Republic

The Original Canopy Tour - OCT Enterprises Ltd.

The West Indian Company Limited

Tobago House of Assembly - Division of Tourism Trinidad & Tobago

Tourism Corporation Bonaire

Trade Commission of Peru - Ministry of Foreign Commerce & Tourism

Tramway Properties Inc- (St. Thomas Tramway - Tramcon)

Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Development Company Limited

Trinity Air Ambulance International, L.L.C.

Tropical Shipping

Tropical Tours Baja Cabo S.A de C.V.

U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

Seatrade - UBM EMEA

UltraMar (Caribbean Sun Fun)

United Stevedoring of America Inc.

Virgin Excursions LLP & Virgin Port Services

Virgin Islands Port Authority

FMT, a world leader in the

manufacturing and supply of

mobile passenger gangways to

seaports and airports, has

appointed Mike McFadden,

president of MAC Maritime,

Inc, as director, North America.

FMT is a welcome addition to

MAC Maritime’s roster of

clients that includes the

Guadeloupe Port Caraibes and

the Nanaimo Port Authority.

“I have worked in various capacities with the FMT products

for many years and was honored when my good friend and

fellow FCCA Platinum Member, Anders Frick, asked me to

succeed him upon his retirement last April,” said McFadden.

“I am genuinely enthusiastic about the future of this compa-

ny and how I can play an essential role in expanding its pres-

ence and position as an industry leader. The potential for

growth is significant, given the number of much larger ships

scheduled for delivery over the next five years that directly

drives the building of new, or the renovation and expansion

of existing cruise terminal facilities, that will need multiple

passenger boarding bridges.”

Looking towards the future, FMT North America will continue

to supply passenger boarding bridges to cruise ports through-

out Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America and the

Caribbean. In addition, plans are in the works to establish a

Florida-based service and training center to provide prompt

and reliable service to the seaports and airports equipped

with FMT equipment.

Both MAC Maritime, Inc. and FMT have a long and suc-

cessful relationship with the FCCA and the cruise industry

overall through their Platinum Memberships, and participa-

tion in Platinum Member events forged the partnership

between the companies. This partnership is vital as they pre-

pare to expand and enhance services to better support clients.

FMT Appoints Mike McFadden as North American Director

SEE YOU AT THE BROWARD COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER FOR CRUISE SHIPPING 2016.

There are so many reasons to choose Port Everglades. Our modern, efficiently operated terminals make transit a breeze. We’re just two miles from FLL international airport, and minutes from world-famous beaches. Plus, we’re fully scalable. We can accommodate any size ship or passenger volume, moving passengers from curb to ship in just 15 minutes. Year-round berthing available. Discover how Port Everglades propels your business forward in powerful new ways. Visit porteverglades.net or call 800-421-0188.

THE POWER OF A PREMIER CRUISE PORT


FCCA Associate Member Listing

BEA Architects Inc

Beijing Biz Travel

Bermuda Ship Agencies

Best of Grenada Limited

Big Bus Tours Ltd.

J&S Scooter & Buggy Rentals

Black Pearl Party Cruises Inc

Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours

Blue Water Safaris Ltd

Bois Cotlette Estate (In Site, Inc)

Bonaire Destination Services

Bonaire Tours & Vacations

Braemar Tours Limited

Brittannia Tours

Broward Health

Buzzpath - Agencia de Viagens, Lda.

C Fernie & Co., S.A.

C.I. Mambo S.A.S

Cabo Expeditions dba Cabo Adventures

Calypso Train Tours

Cambiaso & Risso

Campo Rico Adventures

Carambola Gardens & Tours

Caribbean Helicopters

Caribbean Segway Tours

Caribbean Shipping Association

Caribe Nautical Services

Cordelco N.V.

Casa Vieja Lodge

Caves of BarbadosLimited (Harrisons Cave)

Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce

Cayman Sea Adventures (MarineLand Tours)

Cayman Turtle Farm Lt - Boatswains

CEO Mexico DMC

Ceres Terminals, Inc

City Sight Seeing Miami LLC

City Sightseeing Worldwide

City of Key West

CityView Trolleys Tours of Key West

Colombia 57 Tours & Logistics

Conch Tour Train

Consorcio Maritimo Centroamericano, S.A

Coral Island Tours

Coral World Ocean Park

Cozumel International Hospital

Croydon In The Mountains

Crucero Tour S.A.

Cruise Business Review

Cruise Gallery Inc.

Cruise Industry News

Cruise Insight (Ashcroft & Associates)

Cruise Maryland - Maryland Port Administration

Cruise Plus Services

Cruise Solutions Belize

CS Adventures

CTG Margarita C.A.

Dalex Travel S.A. de C.V. dba TourExperts DMC

Dayligth & Darnight Cave Adventures

De Palm Tours

Delisle Walwyn - Kantours

Denrus (St. Petersburg)

Destination Antigua (Tropical adventures 2000)

Destination Management Chile

Destination North America

Discover Mexico

Dive Dominica

Drive & Guide Tour Service

Dutch Tours Enterprises

E-L-S GMBH

Ecoquest Adventures & Tours

Ecuadorian Tours Agencia de Viajes y Turismo S.A

Eko Park Los Cabos DBA Wild Canyon

Eleuthera Adventure Tours

Elcotour Brazil Tour Specialists

Elite shore excursion fund.

Elite Travel Ltd.

Elroy's Pleasure Tours

Evermarine LLC

Excursions Ltd.

Facilitators Unlimited Inc.

Fantasea Bermuda

Fiesta Tours

Five Star Watersport

Florida Stevedoring Inc



Fofoti Tours

Fun Sun

Funa International, Inc.

Funbini B.V. - FBTT Travel B.V

Funday Fco. Tour Inc. dba Funday Tours

Furlong Incoming

Funtastic Tours Company Ltd

Future Vision Invest Co dba Bacab Eco Park

G.P. Wild International LTD

Gianco, S.A. de C.V. /Mexico Travelscape

Global Flavors

Global Ports Holding

Go Caribic

Gowaii Corporation (Gowaii Investment)

Go With Gus Tours

Golden Foundation Tours

Gorbis Travel

Grand Bahama Taxi

Gray Line - Costa Rica

Gray Line - Los Cabos

Gray Line - Nicaragua - (Versatile Technology)

Grenada Ports Authority

Grupo Dolphin Discovery

Grupo Rescue

Guadeloupe Port Authority

Guatemala Xpedition

Gumbs Taxi & Tours

H.I.S Co

H Forbes Charter Services

Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel LLP

Harbor Bunkering Corp

Harbour Street Craft & Cultural

Health City Cayman Islands

H.E. Dock Services Ltd.

Hibiscus Eco-Tours

Hippo Tours (Toronto Hippo Inc.)

Historic Charlottetown Seaport

Holiday Adventure(Taxi Coperative)

Holiday Craft Market

Humberto Alvarez Sucs

Hyde Tours Roatan

Ibercruises-Agencia de Viagens

Iberoservice Incoming Service Dom. Republic

Iberoservice Incoming Service Spain

Iceland Travel

ID Tours New Zealand

Ilhabela Travel Ltda. ME dba Webtur Travels

Inflot Worldwide, Inc

Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services

International Design & Entertainment " Idea"

International Shipping Agency Ltd.

Inversiones Maloka C.A.

Island Safari Barbados

Island Shipping & Trading

Islandz Tours

ITC InterTrav Corporation Italia

IWW Island Networks

J&S Scooter & Buggy Rentals

Jades Imperio Maya

Jades, S.A. - Antigua Guatemala

Jamaica Tourist Board

Jamaica Zipline Adventure Tours

JCAL Tours Ltd

JTB Global Marketing & Travel

Jungle Trekking Adventures

Karavan Mar - Turizm Seyahat

Kayak Nature Tours

Kelly's Watersports

Key West Chamber of Commerce

Kim' Arrin Cruise Services

KittiNevi Co Ltd.

Komex ToKomex Tours

Krystal Tours LLC

Lagoon Group

La Mar Excursions, Inc

La Marquesa Canopy Tour

Lannaman & Morris (Shipping) Limited

LARF, Inc. - (Amazing Cozumel Race)

Leeward Islands Charters

Leisure Travel & Tours Ltd.

Lloyd's Register North America

Liberty Charters N.V.

Lyca Business LLC (Island-Sightseeing LLC)

Lucky Stables N.V.



Mahinatur

M & A Holidays Travel Tours

Magic Ice St. Thomas

Mahogany Run Golf Course

Maritima Dominicana

Mar-Lab NV dba Banana Bus

Maya World Tours

MB Tours

McRoberts Maritime Security

MC Tours - Honduras

Meyer Agencies Ltd.

Micronesian Cruise Association

Mifsud Brothers Ltd

Moffatt & Nichol

Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Mount Gay Rum Tour

MTI Tour ( City of Sultans)

Municipality of Guanaja

Municipality of Mayaguez

Nanny Group International

Nature Island Taxi Assc

Nautilus Cayman Ltd

Navigator Travel & Tourist

Nevis Tourism Authority

NGD Ltd T/A Lobster Pot Dive Center

NorthWest Supply

Novotur Viajes

Oasis Divers & Water (Aqua Tours)

Old Fort Craft Mkt

Old Town Trolley Tours Key West

Old Town Trolley Tours Boston

Operadora Paraiso Huatulco, S.A. de C.V.

Operadora Turistica Bahias Plus

Operadora Turismo Internacional

Pablo's Diving Company SRL

Page & Jones, Inc.

Palaceda Tours

Panamericana de Viajes

Pelican Adventures

Peninsula de La Pasion

Pier B Development

Platinum Port Agency

Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

Port Authority of the Cayman Islands

Port of Palm Beach District

Portimar Agencia De Viagens

Prestige Destination Services Ltd

Prestige Leasing & Tours

Primal Sensors, Inc

Pronatours

Portland Resort Board

PT. Bali Prestige Tours - Panorama Prestige

Cruise Specialist

PTZTV, LL

Rancho Buena Vista

Rancho Tierra Bonita

Rapsody Tours, Cruises

RC Travel

Reef Tours Limited

Rendezvous Tour Co

Regale International Travel

Resort Adventure Centers

Resort Sports, Ltd.

Rhino Safari Excursions N.V.

Rhodes Hall Plantation Ltd

Rico Sun Tours

Roatan Island Tours

Rocaliza Adventure Tours, Corp.

Rocket Fuel Inc.

Roger Albert Voyages

Romeo Fleming Group of Companies

Rooster's Party Bus

Rozo & Co.

Rumbo Sur

Sanus Travel

S.E.L. Maduro & Sons (Curacao)

S.E.L. Maduro & Sons (Aruba)

SCAN S.A.

Sea Grapes International

Seahorse Sailing Adventures

Seasational Belize

Sea Song Tours

SeaLand Adventure Tours

Secretaria de Turismo del Estado de Colima -



Colima State Government

Secreteria de Tourismo y Relaciones (Gobierno

del Estado de Chiapas)

SEICO

Shell Marine Products

Shkendija Travel

Shorexplorations

Skylimit Travel Services

Smith Office and Computer Supply

Snorkel Safaris

Snuba International Inc

SONA Rent the Bicycle , S.E.

South Carolina State Port

Special Needs Group

St. Ann Development Company Limited

St. Ann Chamber of Commerce

St. Kitts Scenic Railway

St. James Travel & Tours

St. Lucia Segway

St. Thomas - St. John Chamber of Commerce

STAT S.A

Stansfeld Scott Inc.

Stingray City (Antigua)

Stingray Island Bahamas Ltd (Icor Limited)

Stuart's Cove Dive Bahamas

Sub Sea Systems - Sea Trek

Sulivan Shipping Services

Suncoast Investments

Sunsation Tour - G&K Spice Sunsation Tours

Sunshine Cruises (1990)

SunWard Tours Inc.

Surfside AquaSports Ltd

Swiss Travel Service

Tabyana Beach

Tan Hong - Vietventures

TDC Flamboyant Tours

The Caymanian Land & Sea

The Falkland Islands Co Ltd

The Great River Adventure Limited

The Rendezvous Company Antigua

The Safety Pelican

The Tour Company LTD

Total Guest Satisfaction - Total Gusto

Tour Coop of Puerto Rico

Tourism Services Ltd

TRAVELEX (Travel Executives)

Travelia Services

Travel Agency "Sochi Holidays" Ltd.

Tree Limin' Extreme, LLC

Treasure Tours Ltd.

Trinidad & Tobago Sightseeing Tours

Tri-Sport

Tropical Trail Rides

Tropical Tours Guadelope

Tucobal S.A

Tudor Rose (International Cruise & Ferry Review)

Tura Turizm - Sea Mer Tours

Turisport

UNEXSO

United Shipping Co.

Urban Design Development (FOLCO RICCIO)

Vallarta Adventure SA de CV

Vallarta Shore Excursions

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline

Veragua Rainforest

Viajes Buemes S.A

Viajes de Guatemala S.A.

Viña Ventisquero

Viaventure

Wadadli Animal Nature Park

Walk Bridgetown

Webster's Tours

Whiteboard Solutions

Wild Play Adventures

Wind Is Our Friend

Wind and Sea Ltd

Wonders of The Barrier Reef Tours LTD

World Discovery Walks, Inc.

Wrave (Wacky Rollers) Ltd

Xploratur, SRL

Yellow Tourism Solutions DBA Yellow Adventures

Zaire Shipping Mexico S.A. de C.V.

It has now been five years since

Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence

joined the ranks of FCCA Platinum

Members, and we have seen the industry

evolve even in that short time span. There

are more emerging destinations than ever,

more ports to choose from, and the cruise

lines no longer have to stay with the same

itineraries if things don’t work out well for

them. There are many reasons why a cruise

line would choose a destination, from fit-

ting into the itinerary and public awareness

of the destination to local teams’ great

sales skills. But getting them there may be

easier than making sure they stay for many

more years to come!

So what keeps a cruise line coming back

over and over? Where is an area that can

make a big difference for a port and desti-

nation? Our 30 years working with cruises

as a tour operator and then as a trainer has

shown the importance of service. From tour

guides to greeters and taxi drivers, passen-

gers’ first point of contact has the biggest

impact on guest satisfaction. Those guests

have the power to influence the cruise lines,

as they are asked repeatedly how much they

enjoyed their day and how much interest

they have to return. Therefore, it is crucial

to look from that perspective and measure

the level of service your destination gives

to guests. Has your destination been built

upon a culture of service, and are the

tourists, whether cruise or land-based, treat-

ed like family and invited to return for a

future visit?

At the FCCA Conference & Trade Show in

Cozumel, a shore excursion panel will

expand on the subject of bringing your des-

tination to the next level with tour pro-

grams and training guides. Check the

schedule, and be sure not to miss this

important session.

Plus many lessons apply to other front-line

staff. If your destination delivers excellent

service and generates amazing comments

and ratings from guests, it is harder for a

cruise line to consider another port. A desti-

nation with a true culture of service

embraces an attitude of service excellence

and builds lasting relationships with their

clients—both cruise lines and guests—as

well as their tour providers and their team

of employees. It is essential that everyone

in your destination have an attitude of pro-

viding excellent service by proactively

anticipating the guests’ needs and expecta-

tions and exceeding them.

To give some examples, we asked both

cruise executives and clients how training

can impact destinations.

“I’m always excited to hear that there

will be training performed at a port

because we see the difference in better

guest experience and ratings, almost

immediately,” said Megan Shaw, account

manager, global tour operations with

Royal Caribbean International. “The

complaints drop off! It is crucial for

guides to realize that they are the ambas-

sadors for their country during the few

hours they are with our guests. As we

always say, guides can make it or break

it, so proper training and re-training is

crucial to everyone involved in the hospi-

tality industry.”

Aquila was in Cartagena over a year ago

training the destination’s 100 tour guides,

and we asked Maria Claudia Lacouture,

president of PROCOLOMBIA, told: “The

FCCA’s Aquila Training has made a total

difference in Cartagena regarding the confi-

dence of the tour guides during the opera-

tion improving the service quality, which

has impacted in a positive way the passen-

gers satisfaction levels.”

“From the simplest and inexpensive to the

most complex and costly tour, the tour

guide can make the difference,” added

Mico Cascais, vice president, tour opera-

tions, Carnival Cruise Line, and chairman,

FCCA Shore Excursions Committee.

“Having the best, most experienced and

credentialed tour guides is extremely mar-

ketable for tour operators and destinations.

Having great tour guides gives you an edge

over the competition.”

There is no question that destinations

with a culture of service operate differ-

ently. Service is so much part of their cul-

ture that it is second nature for everyone

to think, speak and act in ways that make

sure they are delivering excellent service.

How do you know if you have a culture of

service excellence at its core? Can you

see that tour guides, taxis, greeters, tour

operators, attractions, providers are con-

stantly on the lookout for how to make

things better, improve service and pro-

vide even more “wow” experiences to

their clients and guests? Is the satisfac-

tion and engagement levels of your cruise

line clients and their guests measured,

and are you striving for continual

improvement in your relationships and

your processes?

When a whole destination is built on a cul-

ture of service, the focus on service reaches

beyond the cruise line clients and cruise

guests, to everyone that they come in con-

tact with. This becomes a game-changer for

the whole destination and something to

continually strive to accomplish.

Beth Kelly Hatt is the President of Aquila’s

Center for Cruise Excellence, the FCCA’s

official training partner. You can learn

more about their coaching and training

programs at www.CruiseExcellence.com


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

What Differentiates Your Destination

8150-B NW 90th StreetMedley, FL 33166P: 888.969.0191F: [email protected]

DESIGN FABRICATE INSTALL

Eventstar Structures is recognized worldwide for its unique designs of temporary and permanent fabric and

modular structures. With in-house engineering and design, along with our state of the art automated metal and

textile fabricating facilities, Eventstar has become an industry innovator. Its ability to fabricate custom structures

allows it to transform its client’s ideas in reality. As a recipient of numerous international industry and design awards,

Eventstar has shown its commitment to style, ingenuity, and relentless innovation, the true mark of a forward-thinking

company. We approach each project from the client’s perspective, tailoring to their unique needs and budget.

EVENTSTAR.COM


Hamish Davis – Cruise Director, Holland America Line

I grew up in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science degree

in hospitality and tourism management. After beginning my career in restaurants busting tables,

I worked my way up into sales/marketing and event planning, from entertainment director to

operations manager at 22. Shortly thereafter, I accepted a position as guest activities director at

Sandals Resorts International, responsible for on-property revenue and entertainment.

Then I wanted to travel the world and do more entertaining, so I signed up for the cruise

industry and has been at sea now for the better part of 10 years. I have worked with various

cruise lines in the role of port shopping ambassador, cruise consultant and cruise director and

am now a cruise director for Holland America Line, responsible for all onboard entertainment

and activities.

I love working here because Holland America Line has a good reputation with employees, great benefits and a warm,

friendly-family atmosphere. They are more like the modern-day Titanic of cruising, with class, elegance and style, with

itineraries and service being at the forefront.

I would recommend this life at sea to anyone who wants to travel and see the world and can appreciate people and differ-

ent cultures. Even though I’ve visited so many places, there is still much more to see. However, if I had to choose a

favorite, it would probably be South America because of its rich wildlife, culture, music and festivals, as well great food,

fantastic wines and beautiful terrains. When not onboard our beautiful ships, I still live in Jamaica and enjoy a good jerk

chicken with family and friends.

Faces In The Industry

luis Alexi Alvarez Amaya – Food Operations Manager, Carnival Cruise Line

Hello, I’m Luis Alexi Alvarez Amaya, and I’m originally from Honduras.

My current duties are to look after the food operation department on Carnival Valor. Before I

joined the cruise industry, I worked in an ice cream factory and went to school.

Back in the 1980s, my friends told me they were very happy with the way Carnival Cruise

Line took care of them. I have a few reasons for joining the cruise industry, but the main rea-

son was to have a better future for my loved ones and myself, along with traveling and meet-

ing people from all over the world.

To tell you the truth, I have loved working on a cruise ship since the beginning of my career.

If I had the chance to do all over again, I’d recommend working for a cruise line to everyone

because of the possibilities that the cruise industry gives to grow and learn.

My favorite destination is San Juan, Puerto Rico. The people of San Juan have fun every single day and know how to

take care of visitors.

Jamaica

Honduras

V O D K A E X C E P T I O N N E L L EF I N I S H E D W I T H A H I N T O F P R E C I O U S C O G N A C

T A S T E T H E

E X T R A O R D I N A R Y

E N J O Y R E S P O N S I B LY . l W W W . G R E Y G O O S E . C O M

© 2 015 GRE Y G O OS E , T H E G O OS E DE V I CE A N D T H E GRE Y G O OS E V X T R A DE DRES S A RE T R A DE M A RKS . S PI RI T DRI N K . A B V 4 0 % ( OF W H I CH VODK A 9 5 % A N D CO GN AC 5 % ) . PRODU CT OF FR A N CE


The FCCA Operations Committee meeting with Hon. Abraham Clark, Commissioner of Bonaire and Director of

Economic Development, Tourism, Governmental Management & Support. (5th from left) along with Gabriele Tixi, Cruise

Tourism Manager for Tourism Corporation Bonaire (2nd from right).

A delegation from St. Maarten led by Hon. Dennis Richardson,

Minister of Justice (1st row left) and Hon. Claret Connor, Minister

of Tourism Economic Affairs, Telecommunication and Transport

(1st row right) meets with the FCCA.

FCCA Operations Committee meets with Senator Roberto Tonge,

Dominica's Minister of Tourism and Urban Renewal, (3rd from

right) and Benoit Bardouille, CEO, Dominica Air & Sea Ports

Authority (2nd from right).

LET PPI GROUP TELL YOUR STORYPrint and Digital Publications

Innovative Promotions and Marketing

Video Production and Branded Content

DON’T MISS PORTHOLE CRUISE MAGAZINE, THE FLAGSHIP PUBLICATION OF PPI GROUP. Porthole.com

we connect people and brands

6261 NW 6th Way, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 (954) 377-7777 ppigroup.com

Facebook.com/ppigroupinc

Twitter.com/ppigrouphq

YouTube.com/ThePPIGroup1

Documents

2015 3rd Qtr Edition of Cruising Magazine