The Cruise Industry Anchors in Aruba: FCCA and Aruba Partner for High-Level Cruise Conference

Miramar, FL (June 24, 2025) – The ‘One Happy Island’ of Aruba extended the warmest of welcomes to a prestigious group of cruise and tourism stakeholders, with nearly 40 high-level cruise executives gathering with more than 200 attendees for the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) PAMAC Destination Summit. Taking place from June 17-20, the annual event featured plenty of firsts and a new record – including the highest attendance ever and the first-ever series of workshops – on top of the usual fare of one-on-one meetings and networking events connecting members with senior level cruise industry leaders to discuss trends and develop relationships and mutual benefits, all while showcasing Aruba and working towards Aruba’s goals as a strategic partner of FCCA.

“We cannot be prouder to offer events like these to foster mutual growth for Platinum Members and Member Line executives,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “Bringing together these two vital entities in a comfortable setting lets them better understand not only the latest happenings and offerings, but also each other, which has proven to be one of the best ways to synergistically grow and improve.”

The event itself has also grown and improved, with the record attendance experiencing the event’s first series of workshops – including Oxford Economics’ Christian Savelli detailing the latest in Caribbean cruising, along with ‘Procurement in the Caribbean: How can a destination and a cruise line work together?’ by Michelle Solorzano from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Eduardo Gonzalez Cid of Café Azul, and Marc Figaroa, Aruba Ports Authority – as part of the goal to drive value for the membership program and grow the event around members’ needs.

Members again had their regular session of one-on-one meetings, where they privately met with pre-selected cruise executives. Often these executives fill a required need for discussing and presenting new business, as they have the knowledge to offer their input and cruise lines’ perspectives to make a more viable business model or potentially tailor offerings for brands and guests.

One of the most important proceedings was the FCCA PAMAC Industry Meeting. A fixture of both annual PAMAC events, the meeting brings together the entire group to discuss operations and developments, with a spotlight on product development, itinerary development, and more, with members able to present updates and proposals to a panel of cruise executives.

Like all annual FCCA Platinum Member events, it served as a treasure trove of invaluable industry intelligence, preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, with the cruise executives sharing insight and wisdom – and underscoring the importance of networking and advocacy.

Additionally, by hosting the event, Aruba displayed local sites, facilities, food, products (such as the ‘Mon Forte Schooner Experience’) and more – like its airfare and hotel options – to the influential audience. Hot spots included ‘Papiamentos,’ Fiesta Plaza, La Trattoria, Renaissance Island, and, of course, the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, which hosted the attendees and most of the business functions.

Aruba also coordinated specialized sessions with cruise executives to meet with government leaders, tour operators, suppliers and more to help local stakeholders prosper from cruise tourism. Those included a private meeting with Aruba Ports Authority and Aruba Tourism Authority, as well as a presentation by Patrick Melchiors, Destination Services Manager: ‘Beyond the Dock: Aruba’s Must-Do Destination Update.’

“When cruise ships come to the island, they change lives – not only by connecting thousands of visitors with the warmth of our people and culture, but also by creating opportunities that support families, fuel local businesses, and strengthen our economy. Hosting the PAMAC Cruise Conference reaffirms Aruba’s commitment to growing this vital partnership," said the Honorable Wendrick Cicilia, Minister of Tourism.

Minister Cicilia; Ronella Croes, CEO of Aruba Tourism Authority; and Marc Figaroa, CEO of Aruba Ports Authority, all participated and showcased Aruba’s all-encompassing synergy and inter-agency efforts in growing cruise tourism, as well as serving as incredible hosts for the record event.

“We are honored that Aruba hosted this crucial event,” continued Paige. “Hosting the event further advances Aruba’s initiatives by showcasing the destination and its updates to the prestigious audience, and Aruba made its commitment to cruise tourism clear.”

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