Cruise Executives and Stakeholders Celebrate Launch of FCCA’s Seatrade Cruise Global Calendar

Miami, FL (April 8, 2019) – More than 200 key cruise industry stakeholders, including dozens of decision-making cruise executives, gathered last night and embarked on a host of meetings and events coinciding with Seatrade Cruise Global organized by Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), the trade association that represents the mutual interests between destinations and stakeholders in the Caribbean and Latin America and FCCA Member Lines that operate 95 percent of the global cruising capacity. Taking place at Seaspice Brasserie and Lounge and sponsored by United States Virgin Islands, the event for FCCA Platinum Members and Member Line executives was the first part of the Association’s robust schedule to pencil in business and relationship development between destination stakeholders and cruise executives, with both membership and open-registration networking functions, along with numerous prescheduled meetings and more.

“FCCA is crucial to maximizing time and opportunities during this busy week,” said Micky Arison, Chairman, Carnival Corporation & plc and FCCA. “Time becomes extremely limited, and FCCA makes it possible to meet with some of the industry’s most important stakeholders.”

“The welcome reception again proved successful in bringing together destination stakeholders and cruise executives to foster relationships and understanding – a feature throughout most of our functions, and one that becomes increasingly important during Seatrade Cruise Global’s prolific executives and opportunities,” said Michele Paige, President, FCCA. “Fortunately, FCCA has again filled our schedule with meetings and events to join these key entities and ensure they have a forum to discuss necessary operational matters and chart the course for mutual success.”

The event was the first of many membership functions arranged by FCCA to join Platinum Members with various cruise line executives on hand for Seatrade Cruise Global. FCCA’s booth, #979, will feature some of those by serving as the hub for networking receptions between members, executives and invited guests on Tuesday and Wednesday.

FCCA’s booth will also host meetings that have been arranged between cruise executives and both various Platinum Members as well as other private and public sector representatives in order to provide the platform to discuss everything from operational matters to potential new products.

Headlining FCCA’s event schedule will be LIV ABOARD! – a transformational “newbuild” replacing the FCCA Gala that was decommissioned after 24 years. On Wednesday evening, LIV at Fontainebleau will serve as the gangway to a unique networking experience and chance for attendees to launch business and relationships with more than 150 confirmed Member Line executives, including 11 presidents or above: Orlando Ashford, President, Holland America Line; Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International; Arnold Donald, CEO, Carnival Corporation & plc; Frank Del Rio, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; Roberto Fusaro, President, MSC Cruises USA; Adam Goldstein, Vice Chairman, Royal Caribbean Cruises; Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises; Tom McAlpin, President & CEO, Virgin Voyages; Kevin Sheehan, Chairman, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line; Andy Stuart, President, Norwegian Cruise Line; and Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises.

All proceeds will benefit the FCCA Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization that supports humanitarian needs in the Caribbean and Latin America, including annual scholastic competitions awarding scholarships and its Holiday Gift Project – which brought presents, festivities and cheer to more than 6,000 deserving children throughout 32 destinations last year – while providing assistance to institutions such as hospitals and orphanages as well as causes including disaster relief, environmental initiatives and more throughout its 25-year history. 

The event and Foundation’s mission are being made possible by support from PortMiami, the featured sponsor, and main event sponsors: ExcursionInsurance.com, Park West Galleries, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Port St. Maarten, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Starboard Cruise Services, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, UBM and United States Virgin Islands.