FCCA Cruising Magazine 1st qtr. 2011

PHO

TO :

De

nis

VIN

SON

-CO

RBI

S -

© C

om

ité d

u T

ou

rism

e d

es

îles

de

Gu

ad

elo

up

e

Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, La Désirade, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante

the 5 sides of paradisethe 5 sides of paradise

Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board (European Offi ce)

23/25, rue du Champ de l’Alouette - 75013 ParisTél. : +33 (0)1 40 62 99 07 - Fax : +33 (0)1 40 62 99 08

E-mail : [email protected]

www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com

©2011 United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

800.372.USVI

Head toward a cruise destination both you and your passengers will appreciate. The

four ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands offer well-established cruise destinations with newly

renovated and fully appointed facilities. Additionally, St. Croix offers highly efficient

bunkering services. Plus, our white sand beaches, turquoise waters and picturesque towns

offer all the island experiences your passengers are looking for. For more information on

the ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.viport.com and www.wico-vi.com.

A GREAT CRUISE STARTS WITH A GREAT PORT.OR FOUR.

FREDERIKSTED

ST. CROIX

CROWN BAYST. THOMAS

WEST INDIAN COMPANYST. THOMAS

GALLOWS BAY DOCK

ST. CROIX

First Quarter 2011 • Cruising Magazine 5

Micky ArisonChairman & CEOCarnival Corporation

Daniel J. HanrahanPresident & CEOCelebrity Cruises

Karl L. HolzPresidentDisney Cruise Line

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

Kevin SheehanFCCA Chairman,CEONorwegian Cruise Line

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

Omari BreakenridgeManager of Communications & Design

Terri CanniciDirector, Special Events

Adam CeseranoSenior Vice President

James KazakoffSenior Director, Event Operations

Jessica LalamaExecutive Assistant

George OrellanaResearch & Membership Coordinator

Justin PaigeCommunications & MarketingAdministrator

Michele M. PaigePresident

31 Royal Caribbean and Jamaica Work Together to Reopen Port of Falmouth

32 Holland America Line’s Award-Winning Private Island Half Moon Cay Now Features Captain Morgan on the Rocks Island Bar

41 Panama: Cruise Hub of Latin America

42 U.S.V.I. Renewed and Revitalized: Many Great Ports, One Amazing Destination

49 Cunard Produces Royalty with Queen Elizabeth

52 FCCA 2011 Poster Competition Winners

15 FCCA PAMAC Cruise Hosted Key Decision Makers and Prominent Industry Professionals

18 The Future of Cruising Is Now—New Cruise Ships on Order

37 The Evolution of the Cruising Industry

45 FCCA Member Cruise Lines…Creating Strong Bonds with Industry Partners

24The Sea Routes

of Mexico

7 President’s Letter

8 Cruise Industry News & Platinum Highlights

55 Faces in the Industry

56 Meetings and GreetingsWith the FCCA

CRUISINGTHE FLORIDA-CARIBBEAN CRUISE ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

FLORIDA-CARIBBEANCRUISEASSOCIATION First Quarter 2011

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 © 2011 ~ All Rights Reserved.Reproduction in whole or in part, in any form, electronic or otherwise, without written permission of the FCCA is prohibited.

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

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

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

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

FCCA Staff

Departments

Features

SpotlightCover StoryExecutive Committee

Photo credit: Puerto Valllarta CVBand Mexico Tourism Board

GoDominicanRepublic.com

Even before you set foot ashore, you realize how truly extraordinary Dominican Republic is. The arrival of the cruise ship to any of the three world-class harbors: Santo Domingo, La Romana or Samaná, is nothing short of spectacular, with views of the impressive mountain landscape, wonderful marine life and other splendid sights as you travel through. Sail to the Dominican Republic. The adventure of your dreams is closer than you think.

GET ACLOSERV I E W

“You have to reinvent yourself every day, and thatmeans being a pioneer.” — Frederic de Narp President and CEO of Cartier

It is easy to become complacent after emplacing somethingthat seems successful, but we must remember that there isalways room for improvement. There are always ideas fornew tours and alterations of current ones (especially thosethat put the WOW factor back into the offerings), addi-tions/enhancements possible for ports and infrastructure,relationships/partnerships to build and foster, etc.

Any organism must evolve and adapt in order to survive inthe dynamic and ever-changing world. Business is no dif-ferent, especially the tourism industry. With the always-developing tourism products and destinations, our industryis one the most important places to always consider and

keep up with the competition. We cannot stay stagnant in a rushing current.

The FCCA knows and enacts this, which is why we are constantly progressing. We are breathing new life intothe membership through its expansion, along with new events (like the Central America Cruise Conference)and benefits for Platinum Members. And we use this membership by helping each other grow through sym-biosis, synergy and collaboration.

Additionally, the FCCA focuses on keeping its members and partner destinations aware of the latest trends andof the specific ways to target the cruise industry so that it is possible to know how to best adapt.

As you will see in this edition of Cruising, the cruise lines also employ this constant evolution—from theiroperational logistics and demographics to their ships and offerings—and this is one of the main reasons howthey have managed to thrive even during troubled times. We will show this through a segment on new/emerg-ing markets; an article on the current and upcoming cruise ship builds; and features about Royal Caribbean’swork with Falmouth to renovate an Oasis-class port and Holland America’s new offering on Half Moon Cay.There is also an article that showcases the importance and function of FCCA events through chronicling thelatest PAMAC Cruise Summit.

I hope you can find something to enlighten and entertain you.

Respectfully yours,

Michele M. PaigePresident, FCCA


Michele M. Paige and the Hon. McKeeva Bush,

Premier, Minister for Finance, Tourism and

Development, Cayman Islands

President’s Letter

FCCA Announces Keynote Speaker for

Central America Cruise Conference

The FCCA is proud to announce thatthe former president of the Republic ofColombia, Álvaro Uribe Vélez, will bethe keynote speaker for the OpeningCeremony of the Central AmericaCruise Conference, taking placeWednesday, May 4th 2011.

Former President Uribe has a wealth ofexperience and knowledge to deliver tothe crowd seeking to maximize thecruise industry’s potential in their desti-nations and establish a long-term, sym-biotic relationship, as he was the driv-ing force of bringing ships back toColombia, growing the business andbelieving in the benefits and economicimpact that the cruise industry can pro-vide to a country.

As a speaker, he will share from hisknow-how to help other attendeesduplicate his success and understandhow he established such a lasting andbeneficial relationship with the indus-try, along with what a destination mustappeal to for the cruise lines to takenotice and place their trust in the desti-nation. He will also be in attendance totalk to on a more personal level.

We thank Former President Uribe forhis continued commitment to the cruiseindustry.

Cruise Lines, Take Note: The Port ofHouston’s gleaming Bayport CruiseTerminal is beckoning!

The $81 million state-of-the-art cruiseterminal already proved itself, pressedinto service after Hurricane Ike. Theterminal was the temporary but wel-come home for two Carnival CruiseLines ships for nearly two months afterdisplacement from Galveston, and thenew facility got high marks.

With the most modern and travel-friendly amenities available anywhere,the terminal on Galveston Bay’s west-ern shores is near fine restaurants andhotels and has easy access to Houston’smajor airports. Once passengers arrive,they find parking immediately adjacentto the terminal. They also discover cov-ered walkways connect the building tobus and private passenger drop-offs andtaxi stands.

Inside the 96,000-square-foot terminal,passengers get a top-of-the-line experi-ence. The terminal’s design allowscheery natural light in, and ample secu-rity stations reduce wait times whileoverhead plasma screens displayimportant passenger information.

All Aboard!

Port Canaveral Inks $42 Million

Financing for Facilities Expansion

The Canaveral Port Authority recentlyclosed on a $42 million loan from PNCFinancial Services Group to acceleratethe development of a new cruise termi-nal and cargo facilities. The 3.14 per-cent interest rate loan has a term of 13years, and with the Port's existing debt,will enable Port Canaveral to be debtfree in 2023. During its DecemberBoard meeting, the Commission votedunanimously to supplement its ownrevenues for the $100 million expan-sion program in order to move forwardto take advantage of low constructioncosts. "Because of our Commission's

action, we were able to close this loanquickly to secure very advantageousterms to support future development ofthe Port," said Joe Matheny, vice chair-man of the Canaveral Port AuthorityCommission. "This well-timed financ-ing allows us to expedite projects andbring them online sooner in order togrow our business," said PortCanaveral CEO Stan Payne. "Just whenthe economic recovery should be mov-ing forward at a steadier pace, we willbe ready." With more than $290 billionin assets, PNC is one of the largestfinancial services companies in thecountry. RBC Capital Markets, whichhelped broker the deal for the Port, is aleading provider of financial servicesand is among the top 20 largest banksglobally.

More People than Ever Cruising

from Port Everglades

Broward County's Port Evergladesexperienced its highest multi-day cruisepassenger count ever and a record 17percent growth this past year, and Portofficials expect the trend to continue in2011. More than 3.3 million multi-daycruise guests sailed to and from PortEverglades during fiscal year 2010(October 1, 2009 through September30, 2010) compared to 2.8 million inFY2009. The number of multi-day pas-sengers is expected to climb another 6percent to 3.5 million in FY2011 onceRoyal Caribbean International's second5,400-passenger Oasis-class cruiseship, Allure of the Seas, starts sailing

8 Cruising Magazine • First Quarter 2011

Cruise Industry News & Platinum Highlights


every Sunday from Port Everglades. Inaddition, a new long-term agreementwith Carnival Corporation is expectedto bring 25.5 million cruise passengersto the Port over the next 15 years.

Details on the latest cruise offerings areavailable on the Internet atwww.porteverglades.net .

Miami’s Cruise Season Opens With

Record Traffic

The Port of Miami’s 2010-11 cruiseseason opened with a record of1,144,470 cruise passengers transitingthrough its facilities during the firstquarter (October-December 2010), anincrease of nearly 20% compared to thesame period last year. The strong quar-terly showing follows a world record-setting year with 4.15 million cruisepassengers traveling in and out of thePort of Miami in FY 2009-10.

“This was the best first quarter ever forthe Port of Miami,” said Port DirectorBill Johnson. “The record trafficreflects the strong lineup of shipsdeparting from our port.”

Two new builds and one returningcruise line add excitement to the Port’s2011 cruise lineup: Celebrity Cruises’Celebrity Eclipse, Oceania Cruises’Marina, and Costa Cruises’ Atlantica.

“The Port of Miami is well-positionedto deliver another strong season. Weare looking forward to once again wel-

coming more than four million cruisepassengers to our Port,” Johnson said.

Come Play for the Day at Atlantis,

Paradise Island, Bahamas

Only at Atlantis can you spend a singleday experiencing some of the mostamazing adventures found anywhere inthe Caribbean. At Dolphin Cay, enjoy ashallow water interaction and comenose-to-bottlenose with a friendly dol-phin, or take a deep-water swim andsnorkel alongside one with a hand-heldwater scooter and then thrill to our signa-ture dolphin “foot push.” Jump into non-stop water and non-stop fun atAquaventure, a thrilling 141-acre water-park featuring amazing rides and slides,including the iconic Mayan Temple and amile-long river tubing adventure. Viewthe world’s largest open-air marine habi-tat during a guided Discover AtlantisTour, and encounter giant rays, sharks,tropical fish and the unique art and archi-tecture of Atlantis. Relax and soak up thewarm Caribbean sun during an AtlantisBeach Day while lounging on the beautiful white-sand beaches in yourreserved beach chair. For cruise linesbusiness opportunities, please e-mail [email protected]

“Cruise Ship Excursions” Teams Up

with “Friends of the Park”

As the need for environmental aware-

ness and preservation becomes greaterin our quickly developing world, CruiseShip Excursions Inc. in St. Thomas hastaken a proactive role in helping main-tain and preserve the environment forwhich it uses. Cruise Ship Excursionshas partnered with “The Friends of thePark,” an organization dedicated tohelping raise funds to support the USVirgin Islands National Park Service.Cruise Ship Excursions has not onlymade many generous donations to helpinstall new mooring systems into thesefragile marine environments, but hasalso instituted a system whereby pas-sengers are offered the chance to makea difference by giving a small donationto help support the area they are visit-ing, if they so choose. “With environ-mental awareness being a hot topicheading into 2011, the response by ourguests has been overwhelming, to saythe least. We look forward to continu-ing to do our part to help protect ourenvironment and the future.” CSE.

The Renovated Cockspur Beach

Club Continues to Entertain In

Bridgetown, Barbados

The Cockspur Beach Club has openedits doors to visitors this season, andguests from the cruise ships calling atBridgetown, Barbados have been tak-ing advantage of the enticing packagesit offers. Managed by GoddardsShipping & Tours, the facility was ren-ovated last summer and now offersbeach chairs, umbrellas, changing facil-ities with hot water showers, as well as


the famous Cockpur® Rumpunch.Located on beautiful, white, sandyBrighton Beach, the bar and grill fea-ture a variety of food and beverages,while the friendly and attentive staffwill ensure everyone’s comfort. Inaddition, the Cockspur® RumExperience invites visitors to learnabout the rum making process and tastethe various brands. Just a few minutesfrom the Port, the Souvenir Shop withCockspur® branded items and the leg-endary rum itself allows anyone to takehome a little memento from their relax-ing day in the sun at the CockspurBeach Club.

Welcome to Colombia

Nestled on the northern coast of SouthAmerica, Colombia’s beautiful land-scapes range from stunning white-sandbeaches to the tallest seaside snow-capped peak in the world. From itsvibrant musical scene, delicious gastro-nomical delights, and abundance of cul-tural and artistic activities, Colombia isa diverse nation ready for discovery.

Port of Cartagena The vibrant, contemporary city ofCartagena de Indias was founded in1533 on a wide, sheltered harbor on theCaribbean coast and was once one ofthe wealthiest ports in the New World.Now a UNESCO World Heritage site,the Old City preserves the rich historyand culture, while the rest of the seaportpulsates like a salsa party with trendyhotels and restaurants, designer bou-

tiques, emerald shops and sizzlingnightlife.

Port of Santa MartaAs the oldest city in South Americawith an unrivalled architectural her-itage, Santa Marta is best known todayas an adventure destination. Graced bythe world’s tallest seaside mountainthat rises nearly 19,000 feet, SantaMarta is famous for sites of extremenatural beauty. Visitors will admire thenatural pools of Quebrada Valencia andCinto; the archaeological remains atCiudad Perdida (The Lost City); andthe spectacular Tayrona NationalNatural Park.

Dolphin Cove Expands To Western

Jamaica

World renowned attraction DolphinCove recently expanded its operationsto western Jamaica, making the popu-lar swim with the dolphins tour moreaccessible to persons who vacation inthe resort towns of Negril and MontegoBay. The new park, located in Lucea,Hanover, opened its doors inSeptember 2010 and marked the birthof the largest natural dolphin lagoon inthe world.

Sitting on 23 acres of beach frontage,this park offers the same thrilling dol-phin interactive programmes that itssister park in Ocho Rios has becomefamous for. In addition, visitors canenjoy snorkeling with stingrays, ridingcamels and, the soon to be added,swimming with the sharks.

Since its initial opening in 2001,Dolphin Cove has continued to diversi-fy its operations in an effort to appeal tothe discerning traveler and has grownrapidly as a result.

Visit www.dolphincovejamaica.comfor more information.

Martinique : A Unique Cruise

Destination

A fully-fledged region of France,Martinique gathers all of the ingredi-ents as both a port of call and homeportto attract visitors.

It boasts:Excellent port and airport infrastructureand road network, the best medicalfacilities in the Caribbean, and drink-able tap water.

A stunning diversity of sceneries andtourist venues.

A magic syncretism of African andFrench cultures.

A rich heritage featuring EmpressJosephine’s life, the fabulous tragedy ofSaint-Pierre, former economic and cul-tural capital destroyed by Mount Peléeeruption in 1902, etc.

A renowned capital, thanks to its gor-geous bay: Fort-de-France; spectacularand historical monuments; a freshlyrenovated 12 acre park, named laSavane; and a superb waterfront, fea-turing a range of leisure grounds, anindoor vegetable market, etc.

Accolades:Best 2008 Canyoning Caribbean desti-

nation, by National Geographic

Traveler.

Best Gourmet Island of the Year in 2008

& 2009, by Caribbean World Magazine



Hot Spots 2011 in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia has a variety of excitingnew developments for cruise passengersin 2011. Renowned as Saint Lucia’slargest entertainment locale, RodneyBay Village has expanded with a varietyof shops, bars, clubs and a wide selec-tion of specialty restaurants. The newestaddition to Rodney Bay is the Bay WalkMall, which has more than 85 stores,including duty free shops, boutiquesand jewelry stores, and is home to SaintLucia’s first casino, which opened itsdoors December 2010. Treasure BayCasino has more than 250 slot machinesand 22 table games.

Opening March 2011, Hotel Chocolatis Saint Lucia’s newest property, with14 luxury Cocoa Cottages, a restaurantand spa services. It also offers guests afull chocolate-making experience.

New activities to the island includeRainforest Adventure’s Adrena Luna,which invites guests to zip line by moon-light. Additionally, Saint Lucia’s newestzip line experience, located at the MorneCoubaril Estate, combines the adrenalinerush of zipping under the Petit Piton,with elevated views of the historic townof Soufriere and the Caribbean Sea.

For more information, visit saintlu-cianow.com

Trinity - Selected by the British

Government

The British Government of the Turks

and Caicos Islands selected Trinity asthe exclusive Medical Manager for allits citizens. Services included: MedicalCase Management, Transportation, BillNegotiations and Processing.

British Senior Financial Advisor, KeithBellamy, expressed praise, "Trinity hasprovided excellent, professional ser-vices whilst saving the government sig-nificant sums in healthcare costs.Trinity continues to provide a negotiat-ing and bill-paying role for the out-standing invoices. They continue toprovide a first class service." Over 11million dollars has been has been savedto date since September 2009.

Trinity has saved cruise lines thousandof dollars with the quickest response inthe industry. The ships are able todepart on time and meet itinerarieswithout having to speed up and burnexcessive fuel and decreasing liability.

Financial benefits and risk mitigation byTrinity’s Medical Management team isapplied to cruise lines and private corpo-rations. Trinity takes care of their clients.

For further information Trinity can be r eached on l i ne :www.TrinityAirAmbulance.com or bytelephone 954-771-7911

Azamara Club Cruises Choose

Guaymas as a New Destination of the

Sea of Cortez

Puerto de Guaymas, the new destinationof the Sea of Cortez, is ready to wel-come tourists from all over the world.

With a new state-of-the-art cruise inter-national center incorporating a Santa Festyle and magnificent facilities thatinclude 16 commercial shops, it offersregional arts, like Sonora Tribe´sArtisans, the famous Cortez Pearls,Bacanora (the regional drink), SonoraCraftworks, original candies and aninternational restaurant and bar. Beingonly two minutes from downtown is oneof the main highlights of the port.

In the 2011, Azamara Journey makesits first call at the Port of Guaymas.

Tropical Tours Launches Salsa and

Salsa in Cozumel

Tropical Tours just recently launched itshighly acclaimed Salsa and Salsa inCozumel this past December. Currentlythe tour is the top rated tour on thePacific Coast of Mexico by TripAdvisor,and now we are aiming for top honors inMexico. We are very excited to be ableto offer something new for Cozumel andare sure that our guests will be leavingwith great new memories from Mexico.

THE MEXICAN CRUISE ASSOCI-

ATION – A.M.E.P.A.C.T.

A.M.E.P.A.C.T. has been a great allyfor the Mexican Cruise Industry; itsdynamism and leadership has broughtmany achievements, amongst whichhas been the detention of the proposedMexican cruise passenger tax, thedetention of laws that could damage ordeter the growth of the Mexican cruise




industry and the proposition of changesand modifications to simplify and facil-itate the port arrivals of cruise ships,amongst other things.

A.M.E.P.A.C.T. works hand in handwith the FCCA. Mexico has 19 portssituated in 13 states that receive cruiseships; A.M.E.P.A.C.T. has representa-tives in all of them.

Year-Round Carnival in Paradise

Point

Paradise Point is excited to announcethat instead of celebrating Carnival oncea year, you can now celebrate CarnivalEVERY DAY! Experience our newDaily Carnival Show, including sensa-tional Steel Pan, Moko Jumbis, LimboDancers and Fire Shows that heat up thestage. It is our way of bringing a taste ofCaribbean Culture to you. With extend-ed hours from 9am to 10pm, you canrelax and just have fun while enjoyingour breathtaking views of the downtownharbor, award-winning signature drinks,and new Caribbean cuisine! Children ofall ages will be thrilled on our CarnivalRides including a Ferris Wheel andSkyJump. At Paradise Point, we’vemade every moment a memory, everyevent an experience, and every day willbe your delight! And all of this is just aTram ride away. So come and join us,because from Sunrise to Sunset it’s aparty at Paradise Point. We look for-ward to your visit.

Virgin Excursions LLP Acquires

Port Agency Contract for Azamara,

Celebrity and RCCL

In January, the port agency division ofVirgin Excursions LLP, Virgin PortServices, acquired the port agency con-tract to service all vessels of Azamara,Celebrity and RCCL that call in St.Thomas and St. John. In addition toVirgin Excursions LLP providing an

extensive shore excursion program to anumber of cruise lines, Virgin PortServices currently provides port agencyservices to Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity,Costa, Cunard, Holland America,Princess, P & O, Regent Seven SeasCruises, ResidenSea, Royal CaribbeanCruise Line and Sea Dream Yachts.

The ownership and management ofVirgin Excursions LLP and Virgin PortServices possesses a combined experi-ence of nearly one hundred years in thecruise and travel industries, encompass-ing shipside, shore side, concessionaire,vendor, consultancy, port agency, shoreexcursion and destination propertydevelopment services amongst variousmajor and small, upscale cruise lines.

Virgin Islands Port Authority to Go

Green

It’s the latest social trend: going green.The Virgin Islands Port Authority is pio-neering the U.S. Virgin Islands govern-ment's eco-friendly efforts by partneringwith environmental agencies to securefunding for equipment that will reduceenergy and water consumption at its ports.

VIPA manages all public air and sea-ports in the USVI. Via a grant from theVI Energy Office, VIPA has installed aphotovoltaic solar power generation sys-tem to power street and runway lights atthe Cyril King Airport. A similar projectis underway at the St. Croix airport.

VIPA's next step is to apply for grantsto begin green programs at its seaports.All future projects will be energy-con-scious, said VIPA Executive DirectorKenn Hobson. The Authority is com-mitted to going green, and even if itdoes not obtain grant funding, we willmove forward with reducing energyconsumption at all our port facilities.

2011 Disaster Management Workshop

Series

FCCA’s Platinum Member, TropicalShipping, is pleased to announce thatthe start of its annual DisasterManagement Workshop series beganin the Cayman Islands in February andwas very well attended, with a delega-tion of leading private sector partners,agencies of government and othercommunity based organization, suchas the Chamber of Commerce and theRed Cross. These Workshop Serieshave become a much-anticipatedannual event, as they allow for opendiscussions on best practices in disas-ter preparedness.

Each year, the series visits selectedlocations in the Caribbean and SouthFlorida to underscore the need forongoing and effective disaster plan-ning. The workshops bring together thegovernments (port authorities, emer-gency management agencies and policedepartments are included) and leadingprivate sectors entities to highlight theimportance of partnerships in therecovery-planning process and to sup-port the incorporation of disaster plan-ning into daily operations.

The importance of this topic wasrecently highlighted at the 2010 FCCAannual Conference, held in SantoDomingo as an added workshop ses-sion, which was very well received.

Listed below are the dates and locationsfor to 2011 series of workshops:

• February 16, 2011 - Cayman Islands• April 12, 2011- St. Vincent• April 14, 2011- Dominica• May 03, 2011 - Miami-Dade/Broward

County, Florida• June 1, 2011 - San Juan , Puerto Rico

If you have any questions, please feelfree to contact Jennifer [email protected] or Ms.Denise Nadeau of Tropical [email protected]


Over 100 Platinum Membersand over 20 cruise executivesfrom the various FCCA

Member Lines congregated at PortEverglades to board Royal Caribbean’sNavigator of the Seas for the annualFCCA PAMAC Cruise Summit, whichtook place from January 15th-20th.Here, over a schedule of meetings,receptions and specialized activities,the members had prime opportunitiesto discuss trends, develop ideas, pro-mote their products and destinationsand develop or cultivate lasting andworthwhile relationships with some ofthe most significant decision makers inthe industry—cruise executives vary-ing from the fields of shore excursions,port operations, itinerary development,product development and more.

From departure to disembarkation, theagenda was stacked with meetings and

structured functions designed to fosterthe development of working relation-ships, the exchange of ideas and pro-motion of the members’ products. Itcommenced on January 15th with theBusiness Card Exchange Reception,where members and executives wereable to meet or reacquaint themselveswhile discussing any recent trends,developments, ideas, etc. while learn-ing how to make this information appli-cable to their own operations.

This was followed by dinner at orga-nized tables that were arranged to groupmembers and executives together tocontinue their discussions and joiningmore to increase perspective. One ofthe main features of these events is thecollaboration that is possible throughbringing together some of the premierplayers of the destinations’ private andpublic sectors along with the execu-

tives, for this is the best way to learnfrom each other. This was the onlynight where seating was assigned;members were able to sit withwhomever they needed the most on allsubsequent nights; but this arrangementhelped establish free-flowing conversa-tion and guaranteed that every memberwould have the ability to interact withexecutives from the start.

January 16th started the morning off withone of the most important proceedings ofthe Summit, the PAMAC Meeting. Inthis meeting, the members and execu-tives gathered around the Chairmen inorder to share and discuss the latestdevelopments and issues in the indus-try—from the global and national levelto individual concerns/questions/input ofthe members. Any topic is open to con-versation by the members, panel andexecutives in order to ensure that every-

FCCA PAMAC Cruise Hosted Key Decision

Makers and Prominent Industry Professionals



one in attendance is informed of all thelatest happenings and how to best actual-ize the knowledge gained.

As Matthew Sams, vice president ofCaribbean relations, Holland AmericaLine, tells, “I am honored to be a vicechairman at the PAMAC Meeting. Thisis an important feature for relaying allof the latest information to the mem-bers while also giving a chance to knowhow to best learn from it and implementwhat they need to fully take advantageof this knowledge—from an individualoperational level to steps they musttake to improve their regions.”

One-on-one meetings followed thePAMAC Meeting. This gave the mem-bers a chance to meet with the cruiseexecutives of their choosing, thosewho best applied to the members’product or destination. This providedthe opportunity to promote and pitchtheir products to those that make thedecisions of what is offered onboardcruise ships and which ports will beincluded for current and futureitinerary development. Additionally,this supplied the most focus for theexecutives to offer any changes orinput that is necessary in order to makea more viable business model and theoperational information from the cruise

lines’ perspective in order to know howto best suit their product or destinationfor the cruise lines.

Federico Gonzalez-Denton, director,government and community relationsfor Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.knows the importance of these meet-ings: “The one-on-one meetings allowfor us to address the specific concernsor learn about new products fromPlatinum Members. This is an impor-tant tool for both the members and us.For us, we frequently learn about newdevelopments and products, and we areable to help fine-tune them to best fitthe cruise lines. For the members, itgives them a real vantage point inknowing what the lines are looking forand how to appeal to them.”

When the ship touched down in theCayman Islands on January 18th, themembers embraced a day scheduledby the government of the CaymanIslands. After seeing some traditionalCayman sights, like the Cayman TurtleFarm, Hell and the Tortuga RumCompany, the group traveled to PedroSt. James for a lunch with PremierMcKeeva Bush. The Premier was inattendance to talk about the cruiseindustry’s prominence in the CaymanIslands—how it was achieved and

directions for the future. This allowedfor the various government entities inattendance, along with those from theprivate sectors with close ties to theirgovernments, to get first-hand infor-mation on how to make and/orimprove relationships between thecruise lines and the governments andhow to properly emplace the properlegislation and infrastructure to bestcater to the cruise lines.

The following day was spent inCozumel, and some Platinum Membersprovided tours for the group—fromTequila Tasting at Discover Mexico anda relaxing or activity-packed day at PlayaMia Grand Beach Park to a dolphin swimand ride by Dolphinares and an off-roadPolaris/snorkeling tour from ExploraTours. Besides being entertaining, thesetour offerings played a significant rolefor the members; they were a hands-oncourse for the numerous tour operators inattendance; these members could learnhow to improve their offerings by revers-ing their role and seeing what they wantto experience, see and how they want tobe treated as a tourist. Furthermore, itallowed a chance to see how other oper-ators manage crowd control and the flowof passengers, transportation from and tothe cruise ship, how to interact with thepassengers as soon as they leave the ship

Cultural performance at Pedro St. James Historic Site, Grand Cayman Mariachi band performance at Playa Mia Beach Park, Cozumel


and more. It also gave a chance for morepotential business relationships by offer-ing an opportunity to synergize productsand offerings.

The last night, January 19th, featuredanother function to ensure that themembers had the opportunity to talkwith whomever they needed and left noends untied. The Closing Party servedexactly this purpose. By bringingeveryone together on the last night, thesense of urgency was there for themembers to wrap up any ongoing dis-cussions or get them started with themembers/executives they might nothave spoken with as much as they hadplanned. This event was one of the bestnetworking resources for that reason.

Indeed, it is crucial in this industry tobe able to establish the right relation-ships and gain the necessary knowledgeof how to appeal, promote and developproducts and destinations to the rightentities. This is one of the FCCA’s mainfunctions and why it offers proceedingslike these that gather some of the mostsignificant decision makers and promi-nent professionals in the industry toestablish and foster relationships,develop and promote their products anddestinations, cultivate ideas and learnfrom the latest trends and information.

Discover Mexico Theme Park and Museum, Cozume

After all the new builds recently debuted, it would notbe unwarranted to think that the apex has alreadybeen reached and to expect only a few new ships to

be coming. But that could not be further from the truth. In2011 alone, FCCA Member Lines will be sailing 6 new ves-sels, with 10 other new builds commissioned through 2014.Yes, 16 ships will be added over the next 4 years for FCCAMember Lines. The math is not hard; digesting the magni-tude of this meaty influx of builds is the tough part (especial-ly considering the stagnation that was predicted to be broughtabout by these trying times and the recent boom of megaships). And, as we will see, these are anything but cookie-cut-ter or dinky builds. Many lines are establishing wholly new(and much larger and innovative) classes or building on thosealready started.

One of the most heralded and noted of these is the newDisney class. Already delivered and written about enough tofill a series of novels, this first addition to Disney Cruise Linein over a decade, Disney Dream, has some of the most inter-esting and inventive technology featured onboard ships—from computer generated portholes on inside cabins andinteractive art to the industry’s first “watercoaster”—alongwith Broadway caliber entertainment and dining that comes

straight from the movies (many of the themed restaurants areinspired by their films). Yet what most are unaware of is thatthis 128,000-ton, 2,500-passenger bundle of Imagineeringwill be joined by a sister ship in April 2012. This stellar sis-ter, Disney Fantasy, will have many of the same features asDream, but it will alternate between 7-night Eastern andWestern Caribbean itineraries, instead of the 3-, 4- and 5-night cruises to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay, Disney’sprivate island.

Another highly anticipated build is Carnival Magic, slated tolaunch in May 2011. This 130,000-ton, 3,690-passenger ves-sel will follow the stage set by Carnival Dream. As such,many of the offerings will be shared, such as the 11,250-square-foot adults-only Serenity area, Seaside Theatre,WaterWorks aqua park and specialized family cabins thataccommodate five passengers. Still, there will be no short-age of new attributes, including a SportSquare outdoorrecreation area, the line’s first pub, a new Italian restaurantand the industry’s first “dump bucket.” Another importantelement of Magic is its season of Mediterranean cruises,which will take place from its debut in May through October2011. And one of its more overlooked qualities is the com-pany it will keep, as there will be another addition to the


The Future of Cruising Is Now—New Cruise Ships on Order

Carnival Magic

Dream class in Spring 2012—Carnival Breeze. Many of thedetails are currently unreleased, but it is expected to sharemost of the features on Magic.

Celebrity is following suit and building onto its Solsticeclass, first with the 122,000-ton, 2,884-passenger Silhouette

in July 2011, trailed by the slightly larger Reflection, at126,000 tons and a capacity of 3,030 passengers, inNovember 2012. Reflection will use this size advantage for89 more cabins (Silhouette will have 17 more than its sisters),245 more sun decks and added capacity in the theater, maindining room and Overview Café. But both of these additionsto the Solstice class will showcase new offerings (thoughsharing the same basic layout and design), including theLawn Club Grill, a specialty restaurant replacing the CorningGlass Museum; the Porch, a 48-seat eatery that overlooks thelawn; the Art Studio, which will host art demonstrations andnumerous other classes on topics like painting, drawing andmixology; Michael’s Club will be transformed into a craftbeer bar, overhauled with new décor and 46-inch televisionsand stocked with over 50 international hand-crafted beers, aselection of whiskeys, scotches and snacks, like house-madegourmet potato chips, breadsticks and caramel popcorn;Team Earth will be replaced by “The Hideaway,” a loungearea intended for reading, relaxing and listening to music;and eight hammocks and two oversized Adirondack chairswill be added. Silhouette debuts with a series of Holy Landsailings from Rome before a season of 12-night Southern andEastern Caribbean itineraries cruises out of Cape Liberty inBayonne, New Jersey.

Costa will also be expanding, with their Concordia class

receiving Favolosa in July 2011 and Fascinosa in Spring2012. These 114,500-ton, 3,000-passenger sisters will incor-porate the signature Concordia-class elements, like theAsian-themed Samsara Spa, pool area with a colossal moviescreen and sliding glass roof and a Grand Prix driving simu-lator, while releasing new options, as seen by Favolosa’s sixsuites with private verandahs and Jacuzzis; area for teenswith a 4d cinema, ice cream bar and dance floor; and aquapark with a pirate galleon. Much is still unknown aboutFascinosa, though it is anticipated to have many of the sameattributes as Favolosa and the rest of the Concordia-classamenities. Favolosa will depart on July 4, 2011 from Veniceand visit Dubrovnik and Koper. Her maiden voyage also sailsfrom Venice and will be a 10-night cruise stopping in Israel,Greece and Turkey. Then Favolosa will start her 2011 sum-mer season of weeklong Eastern Mediterranean cruises fromBari and Venice.

AIDA is rounding out their entire fleet and will have 10ships by 2014. Beginning in April 2011, they will releasetheir fifth ship in the Project Sphinx series, renowned for itsstylish spaces and lacking traditional cruising conventions(like dress codes and fixed seating), with the 71,000-ton,2,050-passenger AIDAsol. The Sphinx series boasts aTheatrium that hosts everything from theater and dance per-formances to lectures and cooking demos; a spacious spaand wellness area; upscale boutique restaurants; and thefirst-ever brewery onboard a cruise ship. The unnamed sixthand final vessel in the Project Sphinx series will promptlyfollow this in May 2012. But they have no intentions on justbeing complacent once one project is finished; they willbegin a new one, as the release of a 71,300-ton, 2,192-


New Ships on Order

Carnival Magic (Carnival Cruise Lines)

Passengers: 3,690

Maiden voyage: May 1

Seabourn Quest (Seabourn)

Passengers: 450

Maiden voyage: June 12

Costa Favolosa (Costa Cruises)

Passengers: 3,000

Maiden voyage: July 7

Celebrity Silhouette (Celebrity Cruises)

Passengers: 2,884

Maiden voyage: July 23Costa Favolosa

Disney Dream

passenger build has already been commissioned for a Spring2013 release.

The final FCCA Member Line new ship for 2011 will be thethird in Seabourn’s Odyssey class—Quest. Debuting in June2011, the 32,000-ton, 450-passenger Quest will be an identi-cal twin of its sisters—Odyssey and Sojourn. This all-suite,decadently luxurious class features the largest spa in luxurycruising, spanning two (2) decks and 11,400 square feet; theSeabourn Square, a public area encompassing a coffee bar,Internet café and concierge; numerous dining venues; and awater sports platform that allows passengers to kayak orsnorkel while onboard.

However, there are plenty more on the building blockthrough 2014. MSC Cruises will launch Fantastica in Spring2012. This 140,000-ton, 3,502-passenger vessel will be the12th in MSC’s fleet and will build on the success of Fantasia

in both its size and amenities, like the innovative MSC YachtClub, the ship within a ship that offers unparalleled levels ofprivacy and personalized service.

Another new breed of ships has already been commissioned

by Princess, which will bring two (2) new ships almost 20%larger than any Princess ship now afloat. In Spring 2013, thefirst unnamed 141,000-ton, 3,600-passenger Princess vesselwill be released, which will promptly be followed by its sis-ter ship of the same specifications.

Norwegian Cruise Line will go by the same schedule for itsnew, also unnamed class of ships, launching its first 143,500-ton, 4,000-passenger in Spring 2013. Just a step behind inSpring 2014 will be its twin sister of the same tonnage andpassenger capacity.

Indeed, the future of cruise ship builds is still movingswiftly and promises to show even more expansion inthis dynamic industry and fastest-growing category inthe leisure travel market. But with 15 million passengerssailing and a 103% annual occupancy rating for 2010 anda forecasted 16 million cruisers for 2011, it definitely isnot surprising that the lines are providing even more sup-plies for the drastic demand. And with only 19.9% of thetotal US population having cruised (based on a 2008CLIA Market Profile Study), there is undoubtedly roomto grow.

h o t e l s | r e s t a u r a n t s | a t t r a c t i o n s | c r u i s e s | s p o r t f i s h i n g

thebigbay.com

© 2011 Port of San Diego. All Rights Reserved.

Mexico has become one of the leading destinations worldwide for cruise ship travel. In 2010, Mexico has received 34 per-cent more cruise ship visitors than in previous years. While onboard passengers can enjoy casinos, stores, gyms, liveshows, dance clubs and a wide selection of food. The ports along the coasts of Ocean, the Mexican Caribbean and Sea of

Cortes offer unique attractions for passengers to visit while docked.

The Route of the Mexican Caribbean:• Port of Mahahual • Port of Cozumel • Port of Progreso

Located less than 600 nautical miles from important ports like Galveston, NewOrleans or Tampa, the Mexican Caribbean adds convenience to its wide varietyof attractions for guests to enjoy a pleasant visit in Mexico. Our guests will finda fascinating blend of ancient Mayan and Spanish folk influences in its infi-nite range of gastronomical choices. Areas full of mystical surroundings,beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and colonial cities are waiting forthe visitors who seek perfect harmony with the environment.

Port of ProgresoProgreso is one of the largest offshore ports in the world. Its pier has a length ofmore than 7 km, and it has 10 berthing positions for cargo and passenger ships.

Progreso’s Cruise and Ferry Terminal is owned and operated by SSA Mexico.It has one cruise pier with 2 berths with total lengths of 330 meters. The com-mercial building has several stores, parking lots for buses, taxis and rentalcars, customs and immigration facilities, restrooms and private security. Theterminal and pier are separated from cargo piers.

Services to the ships include mooring, unmooring, water and food supply.

Port of MahahualCosta Maya, the Western Caribbean’s first port designed exclusively for the cruise ship industry, is strategically located just hoursfrom Cancun on Mexico’s southern Yucatan Peninsula. Resembling an ancient Mayan city, Costa Maya is able to accommodatethree ships at once, with the capability to dock Oasis- and Epic-size ships, and entertain visitors to a destination that showcases the

24 Cruising Magazine • First Quarter 2011 Information, copy and images provided by: Mexico Tourism Board

The Sea Routes of Mexico

ancient and colonial heritage of the Mexican Caribbean with all of today’s conveniences. Set against the deep turquoise sea, CostaMaya is comprised of three grand pavilions, artisan and luxury shopping areas, a beach club, saltwater pools, fine restaurants andbars, and all the resources necessary to explore the surrounding jungle and coral reefs. It is the region’s most complete and diverseport providing cultural, natural and archeological excursions.

The Port of Cozumel:The port of Cozumel is positioned as the most important cruise ship destination in Mexico and one of the main ports of call world-wide. Its modern port infrastructure is integrated by three cruise ship terminals: the Banco Playa Marina, the ferry terminal and theSan Miguel Maritime Terminal, which provides services to passenger vessels and tender ships. This maritime terminal is locatedin the heart of downtown Cozumel. Cozumel has the capability of receiving the largest cruise ships in the world. To this day,Cozumel has hosted ships of up to 8.5 of draft and LOA of 340 mt.

The Route of Baja and the Sea of Cortes• Cabo San lucas • Port of Guaymas • Port of Mazatlán• Port of Vallarta • Port of La Paz • Port of Ensenada

The natural resources of the Sea of Cortés astound in its variety, both in theecosystems’ found along the coast and the variety of birds and marine life. Thetemperate waters along the coast are home to several species of whales,including the Pacific Gray, the Humpback and occasionally the Orca. Manyspecies of dolphin call the Sea of Cortés home, as well as seven species ofmarine turtles. In addition, there are giant Manta rays, an amazing variety ofcolorful tropical fish in the natural reefs and a many varieties of shrimp in theestuaries of the rivers and bays. Fishing is considered the main activity inmany parts of the Sea of Cortés, home to marlin, sailfish, tuna, swordfish andmahi mahi.

Port of Los Cabos:Los Cabos is one of the best sport fishing locations in the world, with abun-dant kinds of fish, which include sailfish, blue marlin, dorado, wahoo, yel-lowtail, barracuda, medregal, merely, mackerel, nicely, gilding, horse mack-erel and diverse varieties of fish guards. Cabo San Lucas is the backstage forsome of the most famous marlin fishing tournaments in the world. Beingpart of the “Mexican Riviera” cruise-ship route, it has developed a widerange of infrastructure in behalf of the safety and commodity for its cruisepassenger visitors. And as for handling cruise passengers, the remodeling of

Tender Docks 1 and 2 of the Wharf Pier, as well as the enlargement of Tender Dock 5, has been established in order to be capableof receiving ships of 1,020 feet length.

Infrastructure:• Four positions for simultaneous anchorage • Walkway around the bay• More than 150 m of band for landing stage • Berthing for six tenders• Dockage facilities • Three private marinas• Mooring facilities • Fuel supply• Provisioning

Port of GuaymasAs the “New Destination of the Sea of Cortes,” Port of Guaymas is ready to welcome tourists from all around the world with anew-state-of-the-art International Cruise Center incorporating a Santa Fe style and magnificent facilities that include 16 commer-cial shops. Only two minutes from downtown and the main highlights of the place, convenience plays a large factor. Discover theparadise where the desert meets the sea. Guaymas has experienced a colorful past as a port along the Pacific coast of Mexico. Ithas become the most important port of the State of Sonora and one of the oldest ports of Mexico.

Infrastructure: Berth positions: 1 / turning basin: 450 m / depth: 10.5 m

Port of MazatlánCalled the “Pearl of the Pacific” for generations, Mazatlán remains untarnished after all these years. Modern resort hotels and a busyinfrastructure in the bustling downtown core are connected by a major avenue lined by the Malecón, the longest in the country, fol-lowing the curve of the bay. As the shrimp capital of the hemisphere, seafood was the rigueur for visitors, and it still ranks amongthe highest on a list of must-tries for visitors.

First Quarter 2011 • Cruising Magazine 25Information, copy and images provided by: Mexico Tourism Board


Infrastructure: Berth positions: 4 / turning basin: 500 m / depth: 12 m

Port of Puerto Vallarta:Puerto Vallarta is proud of being the second gourmet destination following Mexico City. Restaurants offer the best in fine dining,where the experience goes beyond just what’s on your plate. Cuisine ranges from typical Mexican to the Mexican chic haute cui-sine to the latest culinary offerings of the world, with the freshest produce and seafood available. If you plan your time right, you’llvisit during the annual Gourmet Festival every November, a series of events you’ll never forget. Chefs come from around the worldto enjoy our shores. Why don’t you?!

Infrastructure: Berth positions: 3 / turning basin: 400 m / depth: 12 m to 14m

Port of La PazThe haven of La Paz has long been one of the secrets of Baja California Sur, known only to the avid fishermen. This capital city,the largest in southern Baja, has grown rapidly in recent years and now boasts an infrastructure to match smaller resort towns.

Since it actually faces northwest, sunsets are enjoyed from the Malecón in the evening. The architecture of this small town, found-ed in the 16th century, harks back to another time in Mexico. When it comes to fishing, there are many who swear by La Paz. Thebest way to see and experience some of the outer islands on the curved coast is to live aboard a fishing vessel.

One of the picturesque towns to visit in the region, about an hour away, is Todos Santos, known as an artist’s haven, as well as atypical sleepy colonial town.

Infrastructure: Berth positions: 1 / turning basin: 500 m / depth: 13.40 m

Port of EnsenadaEnsenada meets the needs of cruise ship travelers by providing plenty of downtown enticements, dynamic shore excursions andcustom group tour packages. Each year, approximately one half million cruise ship passengers experience this thriving seaport’sincomparable hospitality that is seeped in tradition and flavored with a cosmopolitan twist. Enhancing Ensenada’s warm and friend-ly ambience are its exceptional shopping, outstanding dining, diverse recreational activities and rich array of natural, historical andcultural attractions. Located 60 nautical miles south of San Diego, Ensenada has been one of Mexico’s top three most visited ports-of-call for major international cruise lines for more than 25 years.

The port of Ensenada has a specialized cruise facility, Ensenada Cruiseport Village, which features:• 2 berths: 185 m & 163 m length with 10.0 m. draft, for up to 3,500 pax vessels.• A total area of 160,000 sq. meters with 48,000 sq. meters for shops & entertainment.• 200-slip marina. • Customs & immigration checkpoints and passenger & baggage screening in full compliance with ISPS Code.

The Route of the Mexican Riviera• Cabo San Lucas • Port of Mazatlán • Puerto Vallarta • Port of Manzanillo

Information, copy and images provided by: Mexico Tourism Board


• Port of Acapulco • Bays of Huatulco • Port of Chiapas

One of the most outstanding coasts in the Americas is the exciting PacificCoast of Mexico. A top favorite for fishermen, sailors and travelers of allkinds, the entire coastline of 7,828 kilometers or nearly 5,000 miles offersincredible variety. Even the coastline of Baja California measures in at over2,200 miles. You can see the sunset and sunrise over the water from specificlocations along the coast. Consider the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan,Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Acapulco, Huatulco and the recently inaugurat-ed Puerto Chiapas, each one of them unique in its own way and offering aflavor that is at once truly Mexican, as well as international and unique.

Port of Manzanillo: Manzanillo’s enjoyable warm temperate climate, delicious food and land,water, air or fire activities, along with smiles every place you look aroundwill certainly make you want to come back. On a small geographic extension,Manzanillo and its surroundings are a destination of contrasting beauty.

Touristic cruise terminal: Berth: 390 meters long capable of receiving 2 cruise ships simultaneously / capacity: 4500 passenger / depth: 12 m

Port of AcapulcoFor cruise operations, Acapulco has two berths and three anchoring positions. A floating pier for tenders is located at the eastend of the passenger pier, and a second tender launch is located in front of the car terminal. As mooring aids, the port has amooring dolphin located 100 m. from the east end of the pier and four mooring buoys. A turnaround or homeport cruise oper-ations facility with 2,166 m2 is in operation with 25 counters for check in, two X-ray machines, a metal detector arch, and adigital CCTV surveillance system. In addition, an air conditioned terminal building for transit calls with 900 m2 operates ofrestrooms, bars, restaurants, retail shops, authorized ground transportation or taxi cabs, money exchange service, information& hospitality desk and an internet & long distance call communication center.

The passenger terminal is located in the Historic District, which offers cruise passengers a safe and easy place for touring just two blocksfrom downtown area. Many tours are available to visitors: City Tour, Turtle Release Tour, Nature Walk, Kayaking or snorkeling at laRoqueta Island, Acapulco Bay Sail, Walking Tours, Hiking, White Water Rafting, Horse Back Riding, Deep Sea Fishing, Cultural &Historical Tours, Shot over Jet, Sailing tours, Aztec Dinner and the Multimedia Show at the Fort of San Diego, among others.

Bays of HuatulcoOaxaca´s nine bays were chosen by their unique characteristics, such as exceptional beauty and proximity to important cultural andcolonial attractions combined with a perfect balance between cultural and natural resources. This makes them ideal for attractinginternational tourism.

Information, copy and images provided by: Mexico Tourism Board

Huatulco is now the tenth cruise receiving port in Mexico, thanks to the construction of the dock, Muelle de Cruceros de SantaCruz, with capacity to attend 2 cruise ships with an average of 3,350 passengers and 1,100 people in staff, each.

Located at 1,730 nautical miles from San Diego and 1,950 from San Francisco, Huatulco offers a convenient location on thePacific Ocean. Its geographical position favors the Transcanal route: south of Acapulco and north of Puerto Caldera in CostaRica, which is the last arrival port from Central America to Mexico.

The complex covers a large area of spectacular landscape that allows people to commune with nature, particularly in the virtuallyunspoiled beaches of Chachacual, Cacaluta, El Organo and Conejos.

Infrastructure• Pier with capacity for two, 4th and 5th generation cruise ships (919 ft long by 117 ft wide and weighing 101,535 tons)• Four berths for boarding and disembarking onto two floating docks• Provisioning • Fresh water supply • Sewage service • Garbage service

Port of Chiapas

Puerto Chiapas is located in Southern Mexico on the Pacific Ocean in the State of Chiapas. It has an impressive infrastructuremade of wood and palm, designed and developed according to needs of the tourists and requirements of the cruise lines. ThisCruise Terminal offers high quality services, like tourist information, tour operators, guided tours, car rental, taxi, internet, pub-lic phones, bars, restaurants, medical assistance, sales to amber, jewelry, handicrafts, souvenirs, ice cream, chiapanecos liqueursand exotic flowers, all of these in an environment of excellent folklore dance and marimba music.

Infrastructure• 625 m dock • Official depth 32 pies (9.35 M) (NBMI)• Depth 36 pies (11 m) • Basin 450 m • Maritime signals• Capacity for 5th generation cruise ships, loa 300 meters and 115,000 GRT.• Capacity to receive more than 3,000 passengers.

The Gulf Route

• Port of Veracruz • Port of Dos Bocas • Port of Progreso

Port of Progreso

It has been called “the route that has it all.” And it does. It is gifted with astrategic geographical location that offers unique tourism opportunities inhand with a developed service potential and port infrastructure. It consistsof the ports of: Veracruz, Dos Bocas, Tabasco and Progreso, Yucatán.

Port of Veracruz

Localed in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounded by history, culture, mysti-cism, architecture, archeological sites, gastronomic delights, and all kindsof music is the port of Veracruz. Its modern infrastructure, security and reli-ability make it a comfortable destination for tourists. Nowadays, the porthas 19 docking positions with a 12 to 14 meters draft and a turning basin of500 meters diameters depth. Among the piers is the so-called “TouristBerth.” Located south from the cargo areas, this berth offers cruise lines theideal docking position for its passengers due to its nearness to downtownVeracruz (5-minute-walk).

Currently, the “T” berth is 100 meters long, which, combined with“Dolphins,” reaches a length of 167 meters. Arrangements in this berth are

on their way to enlarge to 170 meters long, which, combined with “Dolphins,” will have a total length of 200 meters. There willalso be two accesses: one for services to the vessel and another for passengers.

The Port of Dos Bocas

The Port of Bocas is located in the state of Tabasco at the southeast of Mexico. It offers the passengers the opportunity toexplore Olmec and Mayan cultural archeological sites, rivers, lakes and taste the thousands of flavors that the gastronomyof the region has to offer. The port offers tourist services, shore excursions, and a pier of 984 feet long, a turning basin of1246 feet wide, channel width of 328 feet and 32 ft of draft.

28 Cruising Magazine • First Quarter 2011 Information, copy and images provided by: Mexico Tourism Board

Just outside Port Everglades, another getaway awaits, featuring dining, shopping, beaches and fun. Upgrade every cruise with a stay in Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Call Carlos Buqueras or Alan Hill at 800-421-0188, 954-523-3404 or visit www.porteverglades.net

Where the best cruise ships launch and the greatest getaways begin.

FLORIDA

Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Dania Beach

the port and new tourism offeringsthroughout Falmouth, converting boththe port and the city back into majortourism destinations and bringing theassociated economic expansion.

Craig Milan, senior vice president ofland operations, Royal CaribbeanCruises Ltd., shared the importance ofthis project and its imminent impact:"By partnering with the Port Authorityof Jamaica, we are working to deliverour shared vision of Falmouth's rebirth.Together, we are bringing the town'shistoric sites to life and integrating theculture and authenticity of this destina-tion into a superior guest experience.”Situated between Montego Bay andOcho Rios, Falmouth is the capital ofTrewlany Parish and traditionallyknown for its sugar plantations and fac-tories. The project is predicted to bringa tourism spurt and add on to the cur-rent infrastructure, comprised of an18th-century Anglican church,Georgian-styled plantation houses,

caves to explore and the LuminousLagoon, which is illuminated by micro-scopic organisms and open to swim-ming and boat trips.

The additions have refashioned the areainto a Colonial Williamsburg of theCaribbean, where passengers can goback in time to eighteenth- and nine-teenth-century Jamaica and experienceEnglish heritage.

Of course, its central location makes awealth of other options available. Infact, more than 65 tours are alreadyavailable along the north coast fromOcho Rios to Montego Bay and downto Negril.

There will surely be something avail-able for everyone who docks at or vis-its the completely renovated city andPort of Falmouth. This project has revi-talized both entities and will helpFalmouth regain its status as a tourismhot spot.


Royal Caribbean’s work in con-junction with Jamaica to revital-ize and rework the historic Port

of Falmouth has finally been rewardedwith their first call, with Falmouth wel-coming the 138,000-ton, 3,114-passen-ger Royal Caribbean Voyager of the

Seas. Though this is the fourth port inJamaica to serve the cruise industry, itis the only one able to handle the220,000-ton, 5,400-passenger Oasisclass and will serve Royal Caribbean’sOasis of the Seas during its WesternCaribbean itinerary.

The development of the 32-acre siteincludes the creation of a themed retail-shopping destination—with over120,000 square-feet of leasable retailspace that will focus on local crafts—alongside the dock that houses twoberths capable of accommodatingmegaships. The Port features shops,restaurants and excursion options forcruise passengers, and local andovernight visitors should also frequent

Royal Caribbean and Jamaica WorkTogether to Reopen Port of Falmouth

Photo

cre

dit: P

ort A

uth

ority

of J

am

aic

a

Half Moon Cay, HollandAmerica’s renowned privateisland, has added another activ-

ity to their award-winning offerings.Guests on cruises featuring Half MoonCay now can experience the heritage ofCaptain Henry Morgan—legendaryswashbuckler and scourge of theSpanish Main—at a distinctive andinnovative, designed as a 101-foot-long,twin-decked, three-masted schooner,fashioned to look “washed up” on HalfMoon Cay’s white sand beach. There isseating for 82 guests, with a total capacityfor 326 guests. The bar decor featuresnautical artifacts and historic referencesto Captain Morgan’s exploits in thesewaters more than 350 years ago.

Located near the island’s FoodPavilion, Captain Morgan on theRocks features outdoor seating on twoawning-covered, themed decks. Theopen upper deck offers sweeping vis-tas of the beach, turquoise ocean andthe island interior and lagoon while“cannons” release gentle mists ofwater to keep guests cool in theBahamian sun. The lower deck fea-tures rum casks for seats, palm leaf-styled ceiling fans and images “burnt”into the crafted wood telling the storyof the legendary Captain Morgan, whoplundered a unique spiced rum alongwith gold and silver in 1668 and thenlost everything when his ship wentaground on rocks. The ship’s band,HAL Cats, performs for guests on abuilt-in bandstand in the aft section ofthe bar.

Matthew Sams, vice president,Caribbean relations, is responsible for

the operations of Half Moon Cay andoversaw the concept, design and construction of the new bar. HollandAmerica Line collaborated with DiageoGlobal Travel & Middle East(GTME)—the world’s leading premiumdrinks business that created CaptainMorgan® Original Spiced Rum in1983—to accomplish this feat, and theactual construction was performed byisland staff.

“Half Moon Cay is consistently ourtop-rated destination in the Caribbean,and Holland America Line is alwaysseeking innovative ways to furtherenhance this guest experience,” saidRichard D. Meadows, CTC, executivevice president, marketing, sales andguest programs. “Captain Morgan onthe Rocks adds a fun and charming barthat complements the relaxing beachexperience of Half Moon Cay.”

Porthole Cruise Magazine has namedHalf Moon Cay “Best Private Island”by readers’ choice for the past 10 years.Holland America Line developed thesmall area of Half Moon Cay to provide a quintessential and exclusiveCaribbean island experience for cruiseguests. The 2,400-acre island features15 beachfront, air-conditioned cabanas,a natural 700-acre lagoon and fun-filledexcursions for nature lovers and adven-turous travelers alike.

Other activities on the island includehorseback riding by land and sea,snorkeling and swimming withstingrays in a secluded cove, bikingtours, the AquaTrax watercraft adventuretour and parasailing.


Holland America Line’s Award-Winning Private Island Half Moon

Cay Now Features Captain Morgan on the Rocks Island Bar

Book your clients’ cruises through the Port of Los Angeles and smooth sailing is guaranteed. They’ll enjoy all of the sights and attractions that L.A. has to offer, from the beaches to Hollywood. And you’ll enjoy a wide selection of premium cruise operators and brand-name hotels to create the ideal vacation package. Plus, there’s easy freeway access and terminal facilities designed for effortless embarking and disembarking. Cruising through Los Angeles has never been easier!

www.portoflosangeles.org

The cruising industry has trans-formed dramatically since itsorigination of a small, boutique

business. In its beginning, cruising wasmerely a means to an end—a way to getfrom point A to point B when one want-ed to travel across the Pacific orAtlantic, with the most common voy-age being from New York to London.Ships were converted transoceanic lin-ers that lacked amenities, with its clos-est brethren being the steam ship, withwhich they also shared many of thesame amenities and designs. Most pas-sengers were willing to jump ship assoon as jet liners became available inthe 1960’s.

Still, the cruising industry had beenborn, and it had built itself around thepassenger and providing the best possi-ble service to them. So even without thefeature-rich ships that have become

part of cruising, the industry retainedmany loyal passengers and ravereviews because of this attention to thisextraordinary service.

With this humble foundation, it is hardto believe that the industry has grown toa global industry that generates $40 bil-lion in the U.S. alone, has more than200 purpose-built ships, and services15 million guests. What is equallyimpressive is how this fastest-growingcategory of leisure travel has main-tained this constant growth, even in thedirest circumstances.

Cruise vacationing continued to growdespite the Iranian revolution. It perse-vered through the oil crisis of the1980s. It seemed unfazed by thelaunch of Desert Storm, 9/11, thedot.com bust of the 2000s and even thecurrent skyrocketing fuel prices and

economic woes. Over and through allof this, the cruise industry has aver-aged a 7.4 percent annual passengergrowth rate.

It is undeniable that the airing of “TheLove Boat” assisted this growth. Butthis is really because the show helpedpeople remember that cruising is notjust about getting there; that it is a lux-ury vacation. So even in a time whencruising was not as economic as air-and land-based traveling, it saw anoth-er spurt.

Nowadays, the value is one of the great-est and most appealing features of cruis-ing. This value is actually the primaryreason that most passengers under 40cite as the reason for choosing a cruise.The other most popular reasons are thechances to visit several locations, beingpampered and luxuriousness.


The Evolution of the Cruising Industry

So despite all the changes we haveseen in the ships and throughout theindustry, cruising remains to be drivenby the destinations, its extraordinaryservice and luxury—truly staying trueto its roots.

It seems intuitive to think that thesetrends will continue in the future, butwhat else is on the horizon? The cruiseindustry’s continued success hinges onits ability to remain flexible and adaptto change. It must continue to empha-size on ships’ mobility and redeployvessels when appropriate. It must alsogenerate increased demand through thecontinued launch of new and innova-tive vessels and by continuing to deliv-er good value for the money. Theemphasis on global passenger sourcingmust also continue, and the cruiseindustry must maintain its historicallyclose relationship with the travel agencydistribution system.

Indeed, the cruise industry has alwaysfound a way to thrive, persevere andgrow. CLIA-member lines launched 14new ships in 2009, with another 12 newsships launched in 2010, representing acollective investment of $6.5 billion.

Furthermore, the cruise industry hasachieved steady passenger growth since2003, maintaining an average occupan-cy of 104 percent. CLIA-member linescarried 15 million guests in 2010 andwill carry 16 million in 2011, a 6.6 per-cent increase. The growth will likelycontinue throughout the decade, asCLIA member lines have 26 ships onorder through 2014, with 51,000 berthsat a value of nearly $12 billion.

Fortunately, cruising’s growth alsorelies on strong fundamentals. Theindustry is historically resistant torecession. The new ships are proven togenerate new customers, and the cruise

vacation format continues to representtravel’s best value, while consistentlyexceeding travelers’ expectations.

Cruising’s overall low vacation marketpenetration, combined with strong con-sumer intent to cruise and consumers’expressed desire for regular vacations,plus the emergence of “close to home”itineraries that generate first-timecruisers, suggest smooth sailing ahead.

It’s clear that our industry’s successfulevolution is the result of a collectiveeffort amongst all of its partners, and itcan be confidently said that no otherindustry has evolved more, or as quickly,as the modern cruise industry. Yet with80% of the population still never havingcruised and more feature-rich, large-capacity ships, along with internationaland close-to-home ports of call on therise, it is also safe to say that there is stilla bright future on the horizon.

Panama has always been a place of transit; since theIsthmus emerged from the ocean and created the natu-ral bridge between North and South America, Panama

has been the central focus of trade all over the world.

Today, the country is consolidating itself as the hub of LatinAmerica, not only logistically (having the largest free zone inthe world), but also as the most important regional air hub,due mainly to the hub of the Americas established byPanama’s national airline—Copa Airlines in TocumenInternational Airport in Panama City.

As of today, the hub of the Americas serves more than 50 des-tinations in over 27 countries in the Americas.

Panama is now positioning itself as the new cruise hub ofLatin America, having two cruise ships departing Colon 2000Terminal for the Caribbean: Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of

the Seas and Pullmantur’s Ocean Dream.

It has emerged as one of the region’s new and exotic destina-tions, due mostly to its great infrastructure, connectivity anda great deal of government and private projects, some ofwhich are highlighted below:

Panama Canal Expansion $5.5 Billion dollar projectPanama New Metro System $1.0 Billion dollar projectPanama Maritime Expansion $450 million project(including a new cruise terminal in the Pacific)Panama Office Park $200 million projectBiodiversity Museum $70 Million project

The country’s strong economic growth makes Panama thefirst Central American country that has been rated by the 3economic investment debt rate institutions:

• Standard And Poor’s • Fitch Ratings• Moody’s

The year 2010 was one of Panama’s best years in tourism, withsome great figures in number of passengers and expenditures:

• Over 10 % growth in number of tourists, compared to 2009

• 14% increase in tourists’ expenditures • Over 10,000 new hotel rooms will be constructed in the

next 2 years (A estimated investment of 3 billion dollars).• Foreign direct investment in over 2.8 billion dollars • Occupancy rate in the city was at a 70% average

Since the days of the conquerors, Panama was considered themost important route where goods passed to be shipped toEurope. The first transcontinental road was built here, whichwas named el “Camino de cruces.” Though this path wasmoved, a lot of the gold coming from North and SouthAmerica was later shipped to Spain. Then the first transcon-tinental railroad was also built in Panama, and years later, ourfamous canal was developed.

Today, Panama continues to grow as a young, stable, secureand vibrant country waiting for you to come and experiencewhy Panama has become the hub of the Americas.


Panama: Cruise Hub of Latin America

Information, copy and images provided by: Authority Tourism Panama

The U.S. Virgin Islands has servedas a favorite stop for cruise linesand passengers for years by

offering a mix of exciting shore excur-sions, opportunities to explore local cui-sine, history and culture and a variety ofretail options for duty-free shopping.

With its enchanting towns, magnificentcoastlines, historic sites and incompara-ble water adventures, a world of unfor-gettable moments are waiting to be dis-covered in St. Croix, St. John and St.Thomas.

What’s more: a number of new devel-opments are underway to enhance theU.S. Virgin Islands visitor experiencefor cruise guests.

PARADISE RENEWED

The destination’s four gateways toparadise beckon cruise lines and pas-sengers with their breathtakingscenery, unforgettable activities andwarm Caribbean culture.Revitalization projects currently inprogress at these ports mean that

cruise passengers have an opportunityto experience the destination in a waythey never have before.

Charlotte Amalie RevitalizationProjectSt. Thomas combines the natural beau-ty of the islands with an energetic atmo-sphere. Both the Crown Bay and WestIndian Company ports offer seamlessaccess to the downtown Charlotte

Amalie area, one of the most beautifulharbors in the world. A revitalizationproject currently underway will resultin an aesthetic lift and overall improvedvisitor experience in the downtownarea. The pedestrian-friendly décor andnatural aesthetics of Market Square arebeing upgraded with the addition oftrees and the renovation of nearbybuildings and roads. Main Street isreceiving similar attention, as the entiredowntown area is receiving parkingimprovements to better serve locals andvisitors alike, helping to eliminate con-gestion and ensuring the area is naviga-ble.` Other high-traffic areas beingaddressed include the Marine Route,Long Bay Road and Frenchman Bay

Road. Finally, cruise passenger must-sees—including Vendors Plaza, theWaterfront and Fort Christian—areundergoing extensive restorative workto offer an even more pleasing experi-ence at the St. Thomas port.

In addition to the facelift being receivedby historic downtown Charlotte Amalie,the destination’s ongoing commitmentto its visitors and cruise lines means it’sconstantly working to enhance thecruise visitor experience. This yearmarks the beginning of a chain of newdevelopments and refurbishments at theTerritory’s ports of call. From recentattraction and restaurant openings tolong-term improvement projects, theU.S. Virgin Islands is evolving, and thedestination is excited to welcome cruisepassengers to experience it.

The start of the year saw the reopeningof Mountain Top on St. Thomas. InJanuary 2011, following extensivereconstructive work, cruise passengerswere once again able to access the bestviews of the island from its highestpoint of elevation. Travelers can relax


U.S.V.I. Renewed and Revitalized: Many Great Ports, One Amazing Destination

Information, copy and images provided by: U.S. Virgin Island Department of Tourism

on the viewing deck and indulge in aworld famous banana daiquiri (a 60year old recipe!) once again.

The Butterfly Farm reopened on St.Thomas under the management ofCoral World Ocean Park. The uniqueattraction immerses guests in the worldof the delicate butterfly, allowing inter-action and observation of some of themost beautiful species in the world. Thefarm is a family favorite, and as a resultof its new ownership, it is offering jointpromotions with Coral World OceanPark and the St. Thomas Skyridetramway—both large draws for cruisepassengers throughout the year. CoralWorld Ocean Park gives guests aglimpse into underwater marinewildlife and hands-on experience witha “touch” pool and sea-lion encounters.Meanwhile, St. Thomas Skyridetramway is the perfect way to savor theisland’s breathtaking harbor views from700-feet high.

Soon, St. Thomas will welcome Senor

Frogs—a popular international restau-rant, entertainment and retail venue—toopen at Paradise Gate, St. Thomas. Therenowned establishment will serve up itssignature dishes, exciting nightlife and avariety of fun clothing and souvenirs.

The “Spirits” of St. CroixSt. Croix remains an under-the-radarCaribbean gem rich with cultural expe-riences. The refurbished Ann E.

Abramson Marine Facility at theFrederiksted pier area gives cruise pas-sengers a new place to explore, andsimilar to its sister island, this port isseeing new developments that are sureto become essential stops on any St.Croix itinerary.

Already known as the home of CruzanRum, Diageo USVI, the Virgin Islands’newest distillery, will be opening aCaptain Morgan Visitor Center onSt. Croix in anticipation of the CaptainMorgan distillery set to produce itsfirst batch of rum in 2012. The visitorcenter allows guests to experience therum’s unique history, production pro-cess and a little more about the Captainhimself. It will also house “TheCaptain’s Collection,” a stunning gath-ering of old and new Caribbean rums.In addition to showcasing the historyand culture of rum production, the vis-itor center educates travelers on LEED(Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design) certificationand Diageo’s commitment to sustain-ability and responsible drinking.

Once cruise passengers disembark inFrederiksted, they can stroll along itswaterfront and enjoy the shopping andbreathtaking beaches, a perfect escapefor those seeking tranquillity and relax-ation. History buffs will enjoy a visit tonearby Estate Whim Plantation, arestored 18th-Century sugar mill situat-ed among 12 acres of majestic plantationbuildings and tropical flora. Foodies canindulge in authentic West Indian dishesladen with spices or international cuisineinfused with local flavors in one of thetown’s many restaurants.

Meanwhile, Gallows Bay Dock, locatedonly a mile from the charming town ofChristiansted, enables guests to explorethe area by foot. In Christiansted, visi-tors enjoy taking pictures in the histori-cal churches, meandering through pastelbuildings and unique art galleries andperusing the charming boutiques, cafésand pavilions.

Best known for the array of water activ-ities available to guests, St. Croix’s

crystal waters provide the perfectbackdrop for everything from a leisure-ly swim to a thrilling kayak excursion.St. Croix is also heralded as one of theworld’s top diving destinations, offer-ing enthusiasts dives that will inspireeven the most seasoned experts. Theisland is also home to Buck Island

National Reef Monument, an underwa-ter wonder that stretches across 19,000acres of protected land and pristinewaters, beckoning visitors to explore.

New World Cuisine Meets LocalFlavors in St. JohnWhile St. Thomas boasts two impres-sive ports, it also serves as the entrywayto the lush island of St. John. Island-hopping to this charming island is sim-ple with a 15-minute ferry ride from St.Thomas, making it the perfect day-trip.

One of the new restaurants to open inCruz Bay, St. John this year is popularNew York City Malaysian-inspiredrestaurant Fatty Crab. The Fatty Crabcrew will bring its signature funky flavorsand rock ‘n roll atmosphere that the twoFatty Crabs in New York City have cometo be known for. The menu will be simi-lar to its other locations, but will incorpo-rate produce found locally, giving theculinary team a chance to play aroundwith new ingredients, like the VirginIslands’ conch, spiny lobster and fruitsand vegetables indigenous to the island.This addition is sure to delight visitorsand locals alike with its unique take ondining in the gorgeous Cruz Bay location.

To learn more about the U.S. VirginIslands, please visit www.visitusvi.comor call (800) 372-USVI.


FCCA Member Cruise Lines…

The FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show will beheld in San Juan, Puerto Rico from October 3rdthrough October 7th, 2011. This annual event, gener-

ally regarded as the industry’s premier gathering, promises tobring the most prominent professionals from all areas of thecruise industry together—from cruise lines’ CEO’s, presi-dents and executives to entities throughout destinations’ pri-vate and public sectors. This is the only place where atten-dees are provided with the opportunity to meet with anddevelop business and personal relationships with dozens ofthe cruise industry’s top decision-makers.

The annual Conference creates strong bonds between atten-dees and cruise executives from the FCCA Member CruiseLines by bringing them together for three to four days over aseries of meetings and structured events to foster the discus-sion of trends, development of ideas, promotion of prod-ucts/destinations and cultivation of lasting and worthwhilerelationships. Moreover, the nearly 100 high-level cruiseexecutives who attend each year are committed to workingwith each and every attendee to give them insight into thecruise industry and help them properly target the industry andestablish the proper business model.

There is no other industry event that provides attendees withthe opportunity to have breakfast and lunch with a couple ofthe cruise executives in attendance during the day, participatein numerous business functions, workshops and meetings andthen have dinner and drinks in the evening with more cruiseexecutives…over a full four-day period!If you were interested in doing business with the cruise lines,you would need to:• Develop a comprehensive business plan detailing your

proposed business.• Formulate a business proposal to present to the cruise

executives.• Establish contacts and make arrangements to meet with

the decision makers from the cruise lines.

The FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show is the one andonly place where you can meet with the key decision mak-ers from the FCCA Member Cruise Lines. Here, you will beable to:• Increase your cruise industry contact base—Member

Lines’ CEO’s presidents and nearly 100 cruise executives from the Operations, Purchasing, Marketing and Shore Excursions areas will be in attendance.

• Gain insights on what the cruise lines’ needs are and what they are looking for in terms of products, services and ports of calls.

• Establish a clear vision on how to proceed on the road to success in your dealings with the cruise lines.

• Save time, effort and money.

The Conference provides numerous structured opportunitiesto interact with the cruise executives. The event will open onMonday, October 3, when the first session of Workshops andOne-on-One Meetings will take place. On Tuesday, the offi-cial opening of the conference and trade show, along withmore workshops and meeting sessions, followed by theWelcome Party. This is succeeded by two more days of sim-ilar opportunities, all of which focus on the establishment ofrelationships with the top decision makers, exchange of ideasand the latest trends/information, promotion of products/des-tinations and other facets to help actualize the benefit ofdoing business with the cruise industry.

The workshops are designed to highlight different areas and


Creating Strong Bonds with Industry Partners

Hon. Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism and Kevin Sheehan, CEO, Norwegian Cruise Lines/FCCA Chairman at the opening

of the 2010 FCCA Trade Show in the Dominican Republic

issues thought to be of interest to industry partners. The work-shops are intimate in order to stimulate ‘roundtable’ discussions.

One-on-one meeting sessions enable Conference delegates tomeet one-on-one with top cruise executives to discuss theirideas and/or proposals and learn first-hand if there is anyinterest on the part of the individual cruise executive or therespective cruise line, along with gaining any information

needed to further develop their business model to appeal tothe industry.

Additionally, the FCCA Trade Show provides exhibitors with theopportunity to showcase their products, services and destinations.

The structured opportunities will not be your only opportunityto network with the cruise executives in attendance. Intoday’s business world, more and more business relation-ships and deals are formulating and struck in social settings,which will also be offered every night of the event.

The cruise executives are committed to working with youfrom the moment they arrive right throughout the three orfour days that they will be staying in one of the Conferencehotels. In other words, they are willing and able to speakwith you at any time, and we urge you to take advantage ofthis one-a-year opportunity.

So if you would like to strengthen your bonds with the cruiselines, make new contacts and increase your share of cruisebusiness, join us in Puerto Rico from October 3rd-7th, 2011.

Cruise executives and conference delegates meet for one-on-one meetings.

Bring It On! We Can Handle It.

For information contact Ricky W. Kunz, Vice President Origination

713-670-2400 | www.portofhouston.com

First impressions matter, andQueen Elizabeth impresses assoon as guests embark into the

ship’s triple height Grand Lobby, whichshowcases her grandeur and links herwith ocean liners of the past. With itsfinishes of light mahogany and marble,stunning art deco chandelier from the eraof the first Queen Elizabeth, can-tilevered balconies and magnificent overtwo-deck high original artwork piece onthe grand staircase, the Grand Lobby isthe social focal point of the ship.

From the outside, her distinctive blackand red livery hints at an experiencethat differentiates a Cunard liner from amodern-day cruise ship. This is mostevident in the ship’s adherence to linertraditions, with elegant double andtriple height public rooms on a grandscale, luxuriously endowed with richwood paneling, intricate mosaics, hand-

woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers,and magnificent marbles.

Every moment on board, a passenger ispampered, starting with the food.Having satisfied the palates of distin-guished travelers for the past 170 years,Cunard Line continues this traditionwith the fine restaurants and barsaboard the Line’s new Queen Elizabeth. Whether guests look to participate intraditional British tea service, meet upwith friends for a cocktail, indulge in asumptuous meal or find a quiet table toenjoy a nightcap, they will find them-selves surrounded by elegant décor,treated to Cunard’s signature WhiteStar ServiceTM and the finest in foodand beverage offerings. Heading themulti-layered culinary program isCunard’s renowned Global CulinaryAmbassador, Jean-Marie Zimmermann,who continues to define the culinary

standards for excellence aboard theentire fleet.

In their day, The Verandah Grills onQueen Mary and the original Queen

Elizabeth were perhaps the most exclu-sive dining rooms at sea, on par withexclusive private clubs in London, NewYork and Paris. In keeping with this tra-dition, The Verandah restaurant on thenew Queen Elizabeth offers an experi-ence that encompasses exquisite cui-sine, contemporary design and impec-cable service.

With menus created by ChefZimmermann, The Verandah, locatedon Deck 2, is a celebration of fineFrench cuisine, paying homage to thechef’s homeland. A light and elegantroom, views of the ocean and the GrandLobby set the tone for a distinguisheddining experience.


Cunard Produces Royalty with Queen Elizabeth

The dishes served take guests on a culi-nary journey through France, evokingthe special personality and flavor ofregions such as Périgord, Pyrenees,Alsace, Bresse and Burgundy. Sourcingproducts from the finest purveyors,including many in France, ChefZimmermann combines these with thebest methods to achieve the quintessen-tial taste experience. Guests can lookforward to enjoying culinary master-pieces, such as Monkfish and RascasFish Bouillabaisse, Magret Duck,Baked Brie de Meaux Brioche and HotVanilla Soufflé infused with EdmondBriottet Peach Liqueur.

Open 24 hours a day, The LidoRestaurants on Deck 9 are light, spa-cious, casual areas with wonderful seaviews. Taking note of the cuisines fromthe exotic destinations that the Line vis-its during its legendary World Voyages,the Cunard culinary team presents arange of global dishes, offering guestsan array of gourmet options that satisfyany palate. During the day, breakfastand lunch is served buffet-style.

Of course, entertainment is alwaysimportant, and the focus is obviouswhen looking at the Royal CourtTheatre. The magnificent three-decktheater, with tiered seating for 832guests, is the location for the mainentertainment of the evening, with full-scale, West End-style productions fea-turing world-class entertainers.Decorated in a regal blue and gold colorscheme, this grand auditorium offers

private boxes on the upper level, alongwith a lounge area for guests to enjoydrinks before the show.

Queen Elizabeth’s two-deck Queen’sRoom ballroom, another Cunard signa-ture feature, is designed for dancing,cocktail parties and traditional Englishafternoon teas complete with fingersandwiches and freshly baked sconeswith jam and cream. This superb roomhighlights Cunard’s royal links and tra-ditions and has murals inspired byviews from royal palaces, a photo-graphic collection of Cunard’s Royalship naming and also displays the orig-inal Royal Standard given by HerMajesty Queen Elizabeth, the QueenMother when she came to name theoriginal Queen Elizabeth back 1938.Other highlights are the dramatic highceiling, crystal chandeliers, a large1000 square foot dance floor withinlaid wood patterns and rich walldécor, with spectacular art deco backlitglass panels.

The traditional Royal Arcade on Decks2 and 3 present famous brand names in4000 square feet of shops, while thetwo-tiered Library features a uniqueleaded glass ceiling and a globe fromthe era of Her Majesty Queen ElizabethI, along with its 6000-book collection.

Opposite the Queens Room, yet con-nected to it, the Queens Arcade presentsthe perfect location for a quiet loungingarea in touch with, yet separate from,the Queens Room proper. Here, morn-

ing coffee and afternoon tea is served,accompanied by ocean views.

Queen Elizabeth’s impressive aft out-door space on 9 Deck is the venue for anew concept of entertainment with gar-den parties reminiscent of those held atBritish country houses, whilst the for-ward Games Deck offers paddle tennisand introduces croquet and bowls undera canopy to shield players from the sun. ConneXions Conference Centre andInternet Centre on Decks 1 and 3 com-prise an education centre for enrich-ment programs, featuring a flexibleclassroom venue for classes thatincludes Computer Training, MaritimeNavigation, Art and Wine Tasting. TheInternet Centre enables passengers tostay in touch during their voyage bysurfing the web from desktop comput-ers. For laptop users, the ship offersWiFi Internet access within the comfortof each stateroom and GSM mobilephone connectivity throughout.

Child facilities on board Queen

Elizabeth feature The Play Zone andThe Zone, with the very latest equip-ment for children of all ages. A perma-nent staff including trained British nan-nies is on hand in this inside/outsideplay area.

Health and fitness facilities are exten-sive. The Cunard Royal Spa and FitnessCentre features the latest spa and beau-ty treatments for men and women, aswell as a hydro-pool and thermal suite.Forward of the Spa is the expansive


Princess Grill Suite Verandah Restaurant

gymnasium and aerobics area withstate-of-the-art cardiovascular fitnessequipment, including inclining tread-mills and stationary bikes completewith their own personal LCD televisionscreens.

In addition to the large hydro-pool inthe Spa are two outdoor swimmingpools on Deck 9. There is also a largeaft sunbathing area where The LidoPool is located.

Queen Elizabeth also offers a range ofbars and clubs to suit a wide range oftastes with a variety of atmospheres. On Deck 10, guests find theCommodore Club, a nautically themedobservation lounge, similar to that onQueen Victoria. Rich leathers and woodpaneling give the feel of a classic pri-vate club. Providing extensive viewsover the ship’s bow and a host of inti-mate seating areas, the space is the per-fect venue to enjoy a martini, cozy upwith a novel or just watch the worldfloat by.

Due to the popularity of Café Carinthiaon Queen Victoria, this inviting loungereturns to Queen Elizabeth. Touting aleaded-glass ceiling, marbles and ArtDeco touches, the space is a beautifulretreat where guests may to choosefrom a selection of sweet pastries, fineteas and coffees. Overlooking theGrand Lobby, the Café is an ideal placefor people watching.

The Golden Lion Pub, another Cunard

signature, offers English pub food forlunch in a traditional British pub setting.From fish and chips to shepherd’s pie,guests may enjoy a taste of the UnitedKingdom, no matter where in the worldthe ship is sailing. They also can selectfrom a variety of ales and catch a sport-ing event on the plasma televisions.

The ship also includes the Yacht Club,which is named after the very popularentertainment space that was located afton QE2, offering guests the perfectvenue for activities and gatherings dur-ing the day or dancing at night, withviews from its 270 degrees of windows.Queen Elizabeth offers 1046 state-rooms, of which 892 (85%) are outsidestaterooms, with 738 (71%) featuringbalconies, and nine different types ofsuites and staterooms: Grand Suites,Master Suites, Penthouses, QueensSuites, Princess Suites, Britannia Club,Balcony, Outside and Inside.

Cunard now features its most extensiverange of voyages to date, with a greaterchoice of itineraries, departure datesand overnight stays. The 2011 maidenvoyages for Queen Elizabeth offer awide-ranging series of itineraries in

Europe and beyond from her home portof Southampton, with a total of 52maiden calls in her first full season.

Rounding out her 2011 season will be aseries of five-day Getaway voyages andtwo visits to the United States onroundtrip voyages from Southampton.Growing interest in overnight calls willsee the newest Cunarder also stayovernight in Amsterdam, Venice, NewYork and Quebec.

Included in next year’s line-up are foursailings to the Mediterranean and onevoyage to the Holy Land, whichincludes calls in Jerusalem, Galilee andCairo. Also available will be a series of14-day Baltic voyages, two 7-day Fjorddepartures, an 11-day voyage to theNorth Cape, a maiden Around theBritish Isles Voyage, plus a number ofvoyages to the Atlantic Isles andCanary Islands.

Queen Elizabeth will also participate inthe World Voyage with its flagship sis-ter, Queen Mary 2, to a combined 60ports across 33 countries, featuringQueen Mary 2’s first circumnavigationaround Australia.


Royal Court Theatre

Royal Spa

Each year, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association(FCCA) invites students from the Caribbean and LatinAmerica to participate in the annual FCCA Foundation

Children’s Environmental Poster Competition.

Students were asked to create a poster that visually depicted atleast three ways they believed could help protect the environ-ment and promote environmental awareness in their country.

The competition’s purpose is to promote and stimulate environmen-tal awareness among students and to effectively educate the youngergenerations on the importance of environmental protection.

This year, 13 destinations throughout the Caribbean and LatinAmerica participated. Each country submitted one poster ineach age category to represent its finalists.

One entry per category was selected as a winner for the bestmessage that advocated the role each destination plays in pre-serving the environment.

Winners included 12-year-old Kaela Smith of Conrinaldi AvenuePrimary from Jamaica in the Junior Division (ages 12 andyounger) and 15-year-old Kerri Bascom of Queen’s College fromBahamas in the Senior Division (ages 13-16). Kaela and Kerriwill each receive an educational scholarship of US$3,000 andequal donations for their respective schools.

Kaela Smith’s poster, “Stop! Think! Reduce your CarbonFootprint!” illustrates three ways in which we can protect ourenvironment. More so, it displays ways of preserving ourenvironment by means of recycling, organic farming, andreforestation.

Kerri Bascom’s poster, “Pollution, Everyone’s Problem” illus-trates the different ways in preserving our environment, as wellas the dangers and consequences of polluting our earth. Theposter depicts the many ways in which we can educate ouryouth and promote forms of saving our planet.

The FCCA also congratulates the second- and third-place winnersin each division. Second-place finalists were 12-year-old DanielLashley from Barbados in the Junior Category and 14-year-oldSophia Taisha Boyer from Haiti in the Senior Category. Third-placewinners were 12-year-old Ludivine Ramaroson from Martinique inthe Junior Category and 15-year-old Brenden Gonsalves fromBarbados in the Senior Category. Second-place winners in both cat-egories will each receive US$1,500, and third place winners willreceive US$1,000.

The FCCA also awards the schools of the first-, second- andthird-place winners in both categories the same amountreceived by their winning student. All finalists in each divi-sion will receive US$200 to reward their participation andgood work.


Junior division winner, Kaela Smith, Jamaica Senior division winner, Kerri Bascom, Bahamas

FCCA 2011 Poster Competition Winners

After one visit to the Emilio Robba Studio in the Miami design district you will never look at another flower arrangement without questioning the line between nature, art and illusion. The lifelike qualities of silk flowers fool the eye and the illusion of nature is complete.

Silk flowers are recognized as a standard in the hospitality industry and Emilio Robba continues to create innovative landscape solutions in response to the unique challenges and requirements facing the Cruise Industry.

Visit the Emilio Robba Studio to review the new Cruise Collection, a creative concept of self contained and easy to maintain landscapes and arrangements.

!"!"#$%#"&'#()#*#+,(+,#-.#*##/01#12"#0"0/#*#,$-345366(783+#*#9997%+,.,3#5366(783+#

EMILIO ROBBA STUDIO

THE CRUISE COLLECTION THE ILLUSION OF NATURE


Junior Powell – F&B Manager, Carnival Cruise Lines

My name is Junior Powell and I am from beautiful Jamaica. I am a Food & Beverage Managerfor Carnival Cruise Lines and I am currently serving on board the Carnival Liberty.

I started my Carnival Cruise Lines career back in 1987 as a snack steward on board theCarnivale. I then progressed through the ranks to my current position, which I have held since2000. In my 24 years with Carnival I have worked on 18 ships and in six positions.

I’m so glad I opted to pursue a career with a company that has helped me grow and which hasoffered me opportunities that I otherwise would not have had. During my time with CarnivalCruise Lines I have developed personally and professionally and so, in working for this great

company, I have changed not only my life, but my family’s too.

Carnival is one of the best companies to work for as it has provided me with job security that in turn has allowed me toplan and commit myself financially to projects at home. Also, because of the opportunity for upward mobility there is ahigh morale amongst our staff, which makes my job easier and even more worthwhile.

Of course, working on a cruise ship affords me the opportunity to visit many beautiful places. My favorite among them isthe Caribbean but Alaska is also one of the most beautiful places on this planet. I feel honored to have seen it.

Generally speaking, being on board a cruise ship is such a unique, multi-cultural place to live, work and have fun. Andnow I can say that I have friends from all over the world who I have shared once-in-a-lifetime experiences with. I’ve alsolearned so much about the world’s cultures and people. It’s amazing and I will cherish the memories and relationships fora lifetime.

Jamaica

Faces In The Industry


Alberto Escudero, Director, Puerto Rico Ports Authority; Jaime Lopez, Chief Development

Officer, Department of Economic Development and Commerce; Michele M. Paige, FCCA and

Mario Gonzalez LaFuente, Director, Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

A delegation from the U.S. Virgin Islands led by Governor John Dejongh (center, first row),

meets with the FCCA Security Operations Committee.

C A R N I VA L D R E A M | C A R N I VA L S E N S AT I O N | D I S N E Y M A G I C | D I S N E Y D R E A M | N O R W E G I A N S U N R O YA L C A R I B B E A N F R E E D O M O F T H E S E A S | R O YA L C A R I B B E A N M O N A R C H O F T H E S E A S

( D I S N E Y FA N TA S Y 2 0 1 2 )

© Disney

© SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.

© Universal Orlando Resort

Once upon a time perhaps, vacationers had simple wants. Good food, sun by the pool, an evening show…




For additional information, contact Cruise Development at 321.783.7831, extension 253.

attitude, and we have what it takes to make your guestse the closest port to Orlando via an uncongested and strAdd that we’r

e- and post-cruise packages that your guests will rprthat transcend the or…And why bringing ships to Port Canaveral is the next sound business decision to make. Because her

next generation of grBut today? They want excitement, they want choices, they want to do things they’ve never done befor



attitude, and we have what it takes to make your guestse the closest port to Orlando via an uncongested and str

ecognize as pre- and post-cruise packages that your guests will reaching out just beyond your ships to Central Florida/Orlando attractions for shordinary — by rthat transcend the or

…And why bringing ships to Port Canaveral is the next sound business decision to make. Because her

eaking cruise experiences… ound-brnext generation of grBut today? They want excitement, they want choices, they want to do things they’ve never done befor



your CFO smile. and attitude, and we have what it takes to make your guestsesswayee express fre the closest port to Orlando via an uncongested and str

emier in innovation and world-class in wonderecognize as preaching out just beyond your ships to Central Florida/Orlando attractions for shor

…And why bringing ships to Port Canaveral is the next sound business decision to make. Because her

eaking cruise experiences… But today? They want excitement, they want choices, they want to do things they’ve never done befor



, our first-class facilities and cruise-friendly essway

. emier in innovation and world-class in wondere excursions and eaching out just beyond your ships to Central Florida/Orlando attractions for shor

e, you can sell mor…And why bringing ships to Port Canaveral is the next sound business decision to make. Because her

s why you cre! That’But today? They want excitement, they want choices, they want to do things they’ve never done befor


, our first-class facilities and cruise-friendly

e excursions and e choices e, you can sell mor

eated the s why you cr

O YR

C A R N I V O M ODA L C A R I B B E A N F R E EO Y

SA L S E N C A R N I V|A L D R E A M C A R N I V

Y 2 0 1 2 )SAA N TN E Y FS( D IEBBIRACLAYOR| S T H E S E AFS D I|CA G IMN E Y S D I|T I O N AS

SAESEHTFOHCRANOMNAEW E G I A N S U NO RN|R E A MN E Y DS

W E G I A N S U N

Documents

FCCA Cruising Magazine 1st qtr. 2011