Travel & Cruise 1st Quarter Magazine

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CRUISE INDUSTRY

FIRST QUARTER 2025

The British Virgin Islands’ Landmark Partnership

“It’s

about action, engagement and collective effort.”

Marie McKenzie, New (& First Female) FCCA Operations Committee Chair & Senior Vice President, Government & Destination Affairs, Carnival Corporation

“We can’t do it without you.”

Carlos Estrada, Director, Commercial Home Port Operations, Carnival Cruise Line

“We want to continue to grow with you…”

Wendy McDonald, Regional Vice President, Government Relations for the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean Group

“FCCA opens the door to the cruise industry and puts you in the middle of the action.”

Micky Arison, Chairman, FCCA and Carnival Corporation & plc

Welcome to Seatrade Cruise Global Celebrating Women in Cruising

CLIA & FCCA Highlights

Cruise Lines’ Latest News, Builds & Trends Destinations’ Tourism Developments & Initiatives

Aquila’s Tips on the Right Products & Experiences

Embark on a cruise, disembark into a World Heritage site

A Port That Has It All

THE PERFECT CRUISE DOCKS AT OUR ISLANDS.

Stop at any of our ports to experience unique culture, turquoise waters, and picturesque towns with endless shopping and attractions. Come experience the best the Caribbean has to offer.

28 New, Immersive Experiences Coming to Disney Adventure

29 Windstar Cruises’ New Gem & Redesigned Flagship

29 Celebrity Cruises Launches River Vacations

29 P&O Cruises’ New Record

29 Holland America Line’s Global Brand Campaign

30 Seabourn’s ‘Authors at Sea’ Program

30 Cunard Invites the Public to Co-Create a ‘Sea of Glamour’

31 Carnival Corporation Helping to Drive Significant Operational Efficiencies

On Land

34 Holiday Gifts, Cheer and Festivities Delivered to Deserving Children in Cruise Communities The FCCA Foundation’s Holiday Gift Project made a joyous return and benefited nearly 5,000 children across 25 destinations, with Santa climbing down cruise ship smokestacks instead of chimneys

35 FCCA Renews Strategic Development Agreement with the British Virgin Islands A continued partnership looks to continue what Micky Arison, Chairman, FCCA & Carnival Corporation & plc., called “the momentum that FCCA and destinations are having in working together to maximize cruise tourism’s benefits”

36 St. Vincent and the Grenadines Welcomes FCCA Delegation

38 Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady Makes Historic First Arrival in Cartagena, Colombia

39 The Cayman Islands Is in High Demand

39 St. Maarten Revitalizing & Elevating Presence

40 USVI Tourism Shines at Routes Americas 2025

40 The Dominican Republic’s New Record & Cruise Port 41 Puerto Rico Celebrates a Record-Breaking 2024 & Looks Ahead to 2025 Growth

41 Jamaica on Path for Growth Strategy

41 Aruba Checks in St. Regis Resort

42 Guatemala’s Tourism Renaissance

42 Port Everglades Celebrates Growth

42 PortMiami’s 10-Ship Day

42 Port of Los Angeles’ Record January

42 Carnival Gives Backstage Pass to Celebration Key

43 Royal Caribbean’s Artist Discovery Program

43 Holland America Line’s Partnership to Help Guests Experience a Destination’s History

44 Full Steam Ahead: Cruising’s Contribution to the U.S. Economy The cruise industry reached record levels with 31.7 million passengers sailing, contributing $168.6 billion in total economic impact – 9% higher than 2019

Members & Travel Agents

46 CLIA and Mercy Ships Renew Partnership A new agreement will continue work that CLIA President & CEO Bud Darr told provides a “truly lifechanging impact”

47 Is Your Destination Offering the Right Products and Experiences? Beth Kelly Hatt, Founder of Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, shares invaluable tips on how to truly connect with guests to deliver experiences they can’t stop talking about

48 FCCA Platinum Member Highlights

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Micky Arison

FCCA Chairman Chairman Carnival Corporation

Michael Bayley President & CEO

Royal Caribbean International

Thomas Mazloum President Disneyland Resort

Richard E. Sasso Chairman MSC Cruises (USA) Inc.

Harry J. Sommer

President & CEO

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

FCCA STAFF

Michele M. Paige

Chief Executive Officer

Adam Ceserano President

Terri Cannici Vice President, Operations

Omari Breakenridge Director, Digital Strategy & Creative Services

Mario Aguirre Director, Membership Events & Programs

Justin Paige Director, Communications

Bruna Milazzotto

Director of Operations & Ports and Destinations Analytics

Jessica Lalama

Executive Assistant

Vanessa Gutierrez

Membership Administrator

Welcome to this issue of Travel & Cruise – and for many of you, welcome to Seatrade Cruise Global and its momentous 40th anniversary. I believe we all understand the importance of coming together to develop mutual understanding and success. Of course, this is how we were able to navigate past events like Covid-19.

Now the future is bright, with 2024 serving as yet another a record-breaking year for cruise tourism in the Caribbean – and things are only getting better. So much of this is directly because of the constant communication and collaboration between cruise lines and destination stakeholders, something that has always been the core mission of FloridaCaribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) – and something that is also continually improving.

In this issue, you will read about some of the efforts and initiatives driving this growth, and some of the people leading the way will take the spotlight, including something else historic, the first female chair of the FCCA Operations Committee, Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Government & Destination Affairs for Carnival Corporation.

There is also a recap of the latest FCCA Platinum Member events, where hundreds of destination stakeholders and dozens of cruise executives embarked on MSC Divina for a series of meetings and networking functions, which is one of our many annual events to gather these groups to develop understanding and business. In fact, our land-based event in Aruba this June is also previewed.

Plus, Puerto Rico is gearing up to host our main (and open access) event, which expects to gather nearly 100 cruise executives in St. Maarten, where attendees will have features such as the availability to book one-on-one meetings with cruise executives, along with the included workshop sessions sharing the latest and nightly networking functions bringing cruise executives and destination stakeholders even closer together.

Many of these features could be open to you – and might be happening right now in our booth at Seatrade Cruise Global, with some of those opportunities detailed in the pages to come, including our reimagined marquee event to support our charitable arm that has benefited hundreds of thousands of lives in its decades of operation.

Hope to see you at our booth (1841) and future events!

Respectfully yours,

Michele M. Paige President FCCA

Michele with Dr. The Honorable Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, at an exclusive event featuring local stakeholders coordinated during the FCCA’s site visit.

CLIA GLOBAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Jason Liberty

CLIA Global Chair

President & CEO

Royal Caribbean Group

Micky Arison Chair of the Boards Carnival Corporation & plc

Richard D. Fain Chair of the Board Royal Caribbean Group

Charles B. Robertson

President & CEO

American Cruise Lines

Harry J. Sommer

President & CEO

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Pierfrancesco Vago

Executive Chairman MSC Cruises

Josh Weinstein

President & CEO & Chief Climate Officer

Carnival Corporation & plc

CLIA STAFF

Charles “Bud” Darr

President & CEO

Donald Brown

Senior Vice President Maritime Policy

Joshua S. Good Chief Financial Officer

Karyn Gruenberg

Senior Vice President, Membership & Managing Director of Enterprise Development

Caroline Johnson

Senior Vice President, Travel Trade Membership

Lawrence Kay General Counsel

Anne Madison

Senior Vice President, Marketing and Strategic Communications

Mike McGarry

Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Jill Straniero

Senior Vice President, Digital Solutions & Managing Director of Global Technology

This is the season of new beginnings and transformations, so a fitting time to introduce myself as the recently appointed President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). I’m no stranger to the cruise industry, or CLIA. Most recently, I worked for nearly eight years as Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs for MSC Group. From 2010 to 2017 I held multiple positions at CLIA, including that of Senior Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs for over five years. I am very happy and honored to be back in this role.

My background is principally in engineering, nautical science, policy, government, and related law. The sea has been part of my life since childhood. I’m admittedly and proudly a maritime enthusiast, and I tend to retain facts about everything maritime – you can feel free to test me!

I have returned to take the helm of CLIA at a time of unprecedented growth and innovation in cruise. We as an industry and cruise community are stronger than ever and have a great future ahead. CLIA research shows that intent to cruise is at an all-time high, particularly among younger generations, and 37.1 million are forecasted to sail in 2025, reaching 39.7 million by 2027. This year will see the introduction of 15 beautiful new and technologically advanced ships.

As we grow responsibly, it’s important to keep growth in context, with two thirds of all ships being in the small- to mid-size categories. Unlike other modes of travel, cruise is managed tourism, where destinations know exactly when and how many tourists will be arriving, often years in advance. We will continue to work collectively with communities on solutions that provide cruise guests with amazing experiences, while sustaining important local economic contributions.

My priorities as CEO are squarely focused on advancing the core missions of CLIA on behalf of our members and partners, including: helping to protect the industry’s license to operate; fostering tourism strategies that maximize the socio-economic benefits of cruise in local communities; educating and advocating with policymakers and stakeholders on the leading work our members are doing to advance sustainable cruise travel and responsible growth; and sharing the positive and compelling stories of cruise far and wide.

Strong partnerships with destinations are critical to collectively exceed the expectations of our guests and build the future of cruise – and what better opportunity for collaboration than at Seatrade Cruise Global’s 40th anniversary?

I look forward to working alongside you as we propel this amazing industry into the future.

Stronger together,

Charles “Bud” Darr President and CEO

Cruise Lines International Association

Marie McKenzie Makes History as First Female FCCA Operations Committee Chair

Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Government & Destination Affairs for Carnival Corporation, recently made history when she was appointed the Chair of the FCCA Operations Committee – marking the first time a female has held the prestigious role.

McKenzie’s appointment, following unanimous approval by the Operations Committee, is Carnival Corporation’s nomination for this rotating position which changes every two years to ensure all FCCA Member Lines have representation. She succeeds Daniel S. Farkas, Executive Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), who will continue to serve on the Committee.

“I am honored to step into the role of FCCA Operations Committee Chair and look forward to the next two years of collaboration and progress,” said McKenzie. “I want to thank Dan for his exceptional leadership and guidance, and I am proud to be the first woman to hold this position.”

Having worked closely with the committee members, she understands that this role requires more than simply occupying a seat; “it’s about action, engagement and collective effort.”

“I invite all members to contribute their ideas, support, and partnership to drive meaningful impact in the region. I am eager to work together to serve and strengthen our cruise tourism community,” she stated.

A Visionary Role with Clear Responsibilities

As Chair, McKenzie will lead initiatives such as monthly meetings open to the committee and FCCA partners, as well as online and in-person meetings with destinations and stakeholders. Her duties include leading site visits, town hall meetings and product evaluations, and educating public and private sector partners.

She will lead discussions and workshops during annual FCCA events, including the PAMAC Cruise Summit, which took place aboard MSC Divina (January 6-10), the upcoming PAMAC Summit in Aruba (June 18-20), and the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show – the region’s official cruise conference and trade show – which will return to San Juan, Puerto Rico this fall (October 20-24).

“I invite all members to contribute their ideas, support, and partnership…”

McKenzie’s leadership will advance the Committee’s core principles, focusing on tourism development, port operations, safety and security, and fostering a deeper understanding of the cruise industry and its practices. Additionally, she aims to build bilateral relationships with partner destination stakeholders to generate increased economic opportunities for ports and destinations and enhance the destination experience.

“it’s about action, engagement and collective effort.”

Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA, underscored McKenzie’s alignment with the Committee’s goals: “I am humbled by the continued commitment of FCCA Member Line executives and their dedication to our mission of strengthening mutual understanding and success with destinations and stakeholders. I believe that cause speaks personally to Marie, a Caribbean national and self-described ‘island woman’ and her perspective will steer us to an even brighter future for all.”

A Career of Excellence

Marie McKenzie brings over 29 years of cruise industry experience to her leadership role. She began her career at Carnival Corporation & plc in 1996, serving in progressively senior roles. Today, as Sr. Vice President, Government and Destination Affairs, she oversees the company’s largest cruise market, the Caribbean, in strategic engagement opportunities with government, regional and local community organizations. Her work impacts over 27 countries and 57 ports, welcoming 10 million cruise guests annually.

Previously, McKenzie served as Vice President of Global Destinations, Services & Sourcing, where she managed sourcing processes and relationships with tour operators and port services officials in over 720 ports worldwide. Earlier in her career, she excelled as Vice President of Global Financial Planning and Analysis, steering strategic corporate initiatives and leading complex financial processes for Carnival Corporation’s eight cruise brands.

Before joining the corporate team, McKenzie supported the Carnival Cruise Line brand in various roles, including her first appointment as vice president, where she led financial operations onboard the brand’s 22-ship fleet.

McKenzie’s career began outside the cruise industry with Arthur Andersen LLP in Washington, DC. The Jamaican native earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting (cum laude) from Howard University and her master’s degree in international business (cum laude) from Florida International University.

Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Government & Destination Affairs for Carnival Corporation

Business and Relationship Development Hits High Gear on the High Seas

While cruises usually signify a long-awaited trip with family and loved ones for most, a group of more hundreds gathered at PortMiami on January 6, ready to board MSC Divina with another sense of anticipation for the annual FCCA PAMAC Cruise Summit.

The dozens of high-level cruise executives and the FCCA Platinum Members – who represent some of the top stakeholders for cruise tourism in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, along with their guests of business partners and even family members – knew what was in store for and the opportunities awaiting on the high seas beyond the voyage to Nassau, Bahamas and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

MSC Cruises, known for its ship within a ship, was welcoming a cruise within a cruise – and hosting some of the who’s who of the cruise industry. As usual, the FCCA’s annual PAMAC Cruise Summit put business and relationship development in high gear on the high seas through an agenda ranging from meetings to unique networking opportunities through receptions and tours together, offering a healthy balance of work and fun.

After all, linking some of the premier players of destinations’ private and public sectors with the high-level cruise executives not only offers vital collaboration and

promotion, but also makes them comfortable together to form invaluable, synergistic partnerships.

“FCCA Platinum Membership events like the PAMAC Cruise Summit are essential to both the members and cruise line representatives,” said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation & plc and the FCCA. “They join some of the industry’s most influential decision makers with significant stakeholders, which leads to positive developments for all parties.”

Soon after MSC Divina launched, members and executives embarked on those chances for positive developments at the first scheduled event, a business card exchange reception, where they swapped not only cards and salutations, but also trends and developments – from a new product to a new child or hobby.

Dinner followed, where the group could continue their discussions or start new ones while enjoying the appetizing choices with a side of networking with dining partners who decide where ships call, what is used and sold onboard, and how to invest in products and infrastructure.

The following day featured not only a visit to Nassau, but also one of the summit’s most important proceedings, the FCCA PAMAC Industry Meeting. A fixture of

both annual PAMAC events, the meeting brought together the entire group to discuss operations and developments, with a spotlight on product development, itinerary development, and more, with Platinum Members able to present any point to a panel of Member Line executives. Key themes dominating discussions included:

• Sustainable Tourism Practices: With growing awareness of environmental impacts, the industry is prioritizing sustainability initiatives, such as renewable energy on ships and eco-friendly tourism projects.

• Post-Pandemic Recovery: The cruise sector has made a strong comeback following global disruptions. Strategies for maintaining this momentum was a key focus.

• Enhancing Passenger Experience: From shore excursions to onboard entertainment, cruise lines are exploring ways to deliver unforgettable experiences that encourage repeat visits.

• Regional Collaboration: Strengthening ties with Caribbean and Latin American partners to unlock new opportunities for tourism development and economic growth.

The group then changed gears with the thrill of a different kind of one-on-one meetings through tours. The excursions allowed for some invaluable R&R time mixed with B2B opportunities and the chance to experience the destination, while also putting the shoe on the other foot, allowing the group to see what they want to experience and how they want to be treated, along with getting a different perspective of crowd control, passenger flow, transportation to and from cruise ship and tour guide interaction.

The next day was dedicated to the true session of one-on-one meetings, where members privately met with pre-selected executives. Often these executives filled 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.

“The one-on-one meetings allow for us to address the specific concerns or learn about new products from Platinum Members,” Albino Di Lorenzo, Senior Vice President of Port Operations and Government Relations for MSC Cruises.

“This is an important tool for both the members and the cruise industry. For us, we frequently learn about new developments and products, and we can help finetune them to best fit the cruise lines. For the members, it gives them a real vantage point in knowing what the lines are looking for and how to appeal to them.”

An idyllic sunrise over the pristine waters of Ocean Cay Marine Reserve rang in the next day, where the group could partake in the activities before the final event that evening, the Farewell Reception that gave the group time and freedom for more product promotion and discussions including not only work, but also the enthusiasm about the activities and even some of the lessons learned and inspiration given, before starting to look forward to the next PAMAC event and reflect on some of the lessons during the Industry Meeting:

Royal Caribbean Group Reviewed a Busy 2025

“Royal Caribbean continues to change the trajectory of the industry with our innovative private destinations, new ships and hardware,” said Wendy McDonald, Royal Caribbean Group’s Regional Vice President of Government Relations for the

“FCCA Platinum Membership events like the PAMAC Cruise Summit are essential to both the members and cruise line representatives.”

—Micky Arison, chairman, Carnival Corporation & FCCA

Caribbean “We are really passionate about turning a vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”

According to McDonald, Royal Caribbean will launch two new ships in the Fall of 2025, starting with Star of the Seas, the second ship in the Icon Class and sailing from Port Canaveral, where the ship joins the newly debuted Oasis-class Utopia of the Seas

“Star will give guests their pick of week-long Caribbean vacations or weekend getaways in The Bahamas,” McDonald explained. “Star will bring more revolutionary Icon-class combinations across eight neighborhoods, with everything from restaurants, bars and live entertainment. We have five neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas and Star that are unique to [the Icon Class], including Thrill Island, which was introduced as the first water park on Icon of the Seas.”

A third Icon-class ship is expected to debut in 2026. Meanwhile, a fourth Iconclass ship was announced in August 2024 and is expected to be delivered in 2027. Royal Caribbean Group also enjoys the option to build fifth and sixth Icon-class ships.

The second ship to debut in the Fall of 2025 is Celebrity Xcel , sailing from Fort Lauderdale. The ship is testing a first-of-its-kind fuel engine capable of running on methanol.

Lastly in Royal Caribbean Group updates, McDonald noted new upcoming destination experiences in the Caribbean, including the second Royal Beach Club, in Cozumel, Mexico, set to open in 2026 (complementing Paradise Island’s Royal Beach Club which opens this year), and a new Perfect Day experience in the Western Caribbean, expected to open in 2027.

“Royal Caribbean continues to work with our partners,” said McDonald. “We want to continue to grow with you, to ensure we are both successful. There’s mutual benefit for the region and for the company as a whole. We look forward to continuing that success as we grow together through the years.”

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carlos Estrada Stressed Importance of Regional Partnerships

Carlos Estrada, Carnival Cruise Line’s Director of Commercial Home Port Operations, called upon both the cruise industry and Caribbean representatives to partner together, emphasizing “we can’t do

this all alone.” His tone was one of optimism, anticipating that 2025 will be another banner year for Carnival Cruise Line, as will 2026.

“We have this momentum,” he said, “what we call ‘the wave’… occupancy is still at 110–115% and we’ve been able to increase our ticket prices. That’s outstanding for everyone. Our booking windows are now open through 2027, which is much earlier than what we’ve [offered] in previous years. That gives our guests the time to start booking now.”

Estrada noted that Carnival Cruise Line brings more than 5 million guests to the Caribbean each year, which is the heart of its business.

Looking ahead to the rest of the year, in July, Carnival Cruise Line will open Celebration Key in The Bahamas, a game-changing first for the line. Home port growth is also allowing new Caribbean sailings from Norfolk, Virginia, on Carnival Sunshine, as well as new sailings from Port Canaveral with the recent arrival of Carnival Venezia. Further into the future, Estrada said, Carnival expects to add several more mega-ships to its fleet, serving 8,000-plus passengers; these ships have yet to be formally announced or designated a home port.

“We’ve all been very successful with all your help,” Estrada summed up, addressing regional partners. “We can’t do it without you.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Working to Secure Home Ports to Accommodate New Ships in the Caribbean

Matthew Weintraub, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ Director of Port Development, pointed out that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings anticipates more than a dozen

“…lets them better understand not only the latest happenings and offerings, but also each other…”

—Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA

new-build ships to set sail between 2025 and 2036, with the first being Norwegian Aqua, debuting in April 2025, followed quickly by Oceania Allura in November and then Norwegian Luna in April 2026.

“We’re keeping our new build team very busy,” Weintraub said. “What that means is, we’ll need places to put all of these ships and the Caribbean is a big part of our strategy.”

Along these lines, Weintraub further noted that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is working to establish new home ports. Starting in October 2025, the company’s ships will begin sailing out of Jacksonville, Florida, and throughout the Caribbean. Another highly anticipated new homeport is Philadelphia, with Norwegian Jewel relocating to the City of Brotherly Love in 2026.

“We are working tirelessly to extend agreements that we already have, to solidify our space,” added Weintraub, noting that long-term agreements are key, with hopes of extending agreements to sail from Port Canaveral, Galveston and Miami. “We look forward to working with our Caribbean partners and establishing new agreements.”

Hein Erasmus Anticipates Disney Cruise Line’s Growth Will Provide Positive Impact in the

Caribbean

Hein Erasmus, Disney Cruise Line’s Senior Manager of Port Adventures and Destination Experience, presented on the line’s continual growth, inclusive of recent ship releases and new island introductions, calling the last year “massive.” Disney Cruise Line took ownership of its sixth ship, Disney Treasure, in June of 2024, with first sailings launched in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

“Guest experience scores have been tremendous,” Erasmus said of the ship’s first few sailings, a result he said was owed to the continual support of regional destinations and partners.

“We also opened, in June, Lighthouse Point (in The Bahamas), our new private destination,” he added. “It was a lot of work, a lot of planning, but it came out really incredible.”

Lighthouse Point was developed with an eye on sustainability, and an effort to keep environmental impacts at a minimum, collaborating with the local destination to create a positive economic impact for the region.

Looking to the future, Erasmus noted major momentum, with the upcoming debut of two, brand-new ships, including Disney Destiny, which will be deployed in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. By 2031, the Disney Cruise Line fleet will have doubled, with a total of 13 ships.

“It’s a really exciting time for us as a company, and we’re looking forward to what that will mean for destinations in The Bahamas and Caribbean,” Erasmus summed up.

Maximizing Seatrade Cruise Global: Easy as FCCA

Seatrade Cruise Global is an exciting time for Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), synonymous with renewing and creating business partnerships, discussing ideas and tackling industry issues with the attending cruise line representatives and global stakeholders. Of course, these opportunities are vast during the event’s standard programming, but FCCA maximizes these chances for its Platinum Members and partners throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.

After all, Seatrade and FCCA have developed a strong, synergistic relationship while working together for more than a quarter century. The collaboration began back in the early 1990s, with FCCA actively participating in the planning and organization of Seatrade and Seatrade supporting FCCA’s Caribbean-based annual conference, fundraising events and charitable activities.

Today, that collaboration benefits FCCA members participating in Seatrade Cruise Global. As with everything in which FCCA participates, one of its main goals is to positively impact the working relationship between its partners from destinations’ private and public sectors along with executives from FCCA Member Lines that represent more than 90 percent of the ocean cruise capacity.

One of the ways FCCA does this is by providing multiple events and opportunities to put members on a first-name basis with high-level executives from Member Lines, even presidents and CEOs, to forge relationships that can put a foot in the door and welcome more business. This is a key component of the FCCA Platinum Membership program and a vital resource for any entity doing or desiring business with the cruise industry.

To foster these engagements during Seatrade and help actualize its numerous resources and high-level attendees, FCCA programmed a block of functions coinciding with the event to ensure that Platinum Members have a direct line to FCCA Member Line executives.

The FCCA booth itself serves as the site for many of these. Besides being a one-

stop shop for all attendees to learn more about FCCA and what it offers, the booth also hosts networking receptions to promote destinations and companies, while bringing together Platinum Members and cruise executives in a private atmosphere. Plus, many of the same executives and members cycle in and out of the booth for meetings arranged by FCCA.

“FCCA opens the door to the cruise industry and puts you in the middle of the action.”

—Micky Arison, Chairman, FCCA and Carnival Corporation & plc

There are also the annual FCCA events that have become tradition for many cruise executives and Platinum Members. An annual pre-event welcoming reception cooks up appetizing opportunities for members and cruise executives to reacquaint and prepare for the days and discussions ahead.

FCCA’s main event for Seatrade Cruise Global is looking to build on its record success last year after its triumphant return, which gathered 13 presidents and above from FCCA Member Cruise Lines serving as table hosts for key stakeholders.

Taking place on the evening of Tuesday, April 8 at Papi Steak Miami, the ‘Shining Stars FCCA Foundation Dinner’ will gather attendees and high-level cruise executives for an exclusive, executive-packed event. The invitation-only event was coordinated by FCCA and supported by FCCA Member Cruise Lines, with Presidents, CEOs, and more high-level cruise executives hosting tables to raise money to support the association’s charitable arm, the FCCA Foundation.

“FCCA has a way of making business and networking fun at events like this, and I am confident that this one will not to be missed, especially considering the worthy cause it represents,” said Micky Arison, Chairman of FCCA and Carnival Corporation & plc.

All event proceeds will go directly to the FCCA Foundation’s efforts and its revamped focus on building a foundation for youths throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, with primary identified objectives of education, sports, and career-building opportunities to help them thrive in the present and future.

Indeed, Seatrade Cruise Global will provide a clear vision of the industry’s past, present and future while benefitting participants with its success-proven formula combined with numerous new features, but FCCA offers backstage passes to visit the rock stars: key decision makers from FCCA Member Lines.

Or, as Micky Arison said, “FCCA opens the door to the cruise industry and puts you in the middle of the action.”

Two paths coming together with a steady goal can broaden horizons for all. Through a shared vision and passion for the cruise industr y, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and ExcursionInsurance.com have joined paths.

As the administrator of the FCCA Global Tour Operator Insurance Program, ExcursionInsurance.com provides tour operators with the coverage they need to grow their business—and enhance the destination experience.

To learn more about how this partnership can benefit you, contact our experts today. Ken

Global Development Officer M: 786.351.3408 ken@excursioninsurance.com

FCCA Foundation and Diamonds International Renew Partnership to Benefit Children in the Caribbean and Latin America

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has again renewed its partnership with Diamonds International – the world’s largest tax and duty-free jeweler, as well as one of the Caribbean’s largest employers – to support the FCCA Foundation, the association’s charitable arm focused on building a foundation for youths throughout cruise communities, with primary objectives of education, sports, and career-building opportunities to support them in the present and future.

The landmark collaborative partnership with Diamonds International was formed in 2023 when Diamonds International looked for an extension of its own regular outreach projects and charity events, as well as responses to natural disasters, and the FCCA Foundation needed assistance to resume operations following Covid19. As part of the partnership, both entities have combined their resources, especially on the focus of direct contact with local communities to determine needs and ways to help that can generate long-term benefits.

“I am humbled by Diamonds International’s belief in and support of the FCCA Foundation, as they truly made it possible to relaunch following its shutdown due to Covid-19 and therefore have been responsible for the thousands of children we helped last year alone,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “We are fortunate to have such dedicated partners and excited about what the future has in store considering what the collaboration has already yielded in such a short time.”

In addition to resuming the FCCA Foundation’s traditional annual events, including an essay competition that provides tens of thousands of schol-

“Giving back has always been at the heart of what we do at Diamonds International.”

—Elchonon Shagalov, Chief Commercial Officer, Diamonds International

arship dollars to students and schools along with the Holiday Gift Project that brought gifts and festivities to nearly 5,000 students in 23 destinations last year, the Foundation launched a new $25,000 annual scholarship in memory of the late Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, and also provided donations to schools in St. Maarten while hosting the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show.

“Giving back has always been at the heart of what we do at Diamonds International,” said Elchonon Shagalov, Chief Commercial Officer, Diamonds International. “The FCCA Foundation Dinner is an opportunity for the cruise and tourism industries to come together and make a real difference in the communities we serve. We are honored to support this initiative.”

The partnership will also make it possible to hold the Foundation’s marquee event at Seatrade Cruise Global: ‘Shining Stars FCCA Foundation Dinner.’ The exclusive, executive packed event will take place on the evening of Tuesday, April 8 at Papi Steak Miami.

Looking to build on last year’s record success, which gathered 13 presidents and above from FCCA Member Cruise Lines serving as table hosts for key stakeholders, the night will be filled with boatloads of surprises and delectable food sprinkled with networking and building relationships and business – complete with supporting a good cause, with all proceeds benefitting the FCCA Foundation.

“FCCA has a way of making business and networking fun at events like this, and I am confident that this will be one not to be missed, especially considering the worthy cause it represents,” said Micky Arison, Chairman of FCCA and Carnival Corporation & plc.

Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades Strengthens FCCA Partnership Amid Record Growth

As it charts course for a record-breaking fiscal year in 2025, Port Everglades continues to deepen its collaboration with FloridaCaribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). A longstanding supporter of the FCCA Foundation, the port will again sponsor the Shining Stars FCCA Foundation Dinner, further solidifying its commitment to fostering growth in the cruise industry and enriching the community.

Port Everglades is experiencing a surge in cruise activity, with multi-day cruise ship calls increasing by 25 percent and passenger numbers up by 27 percent in the first quarter of FY25 compared to the previous fiscal year. These milestones reinforce the port’s expanding role as a premier cruise hub.

“Port Everglades continues to demonstrate its leadership in the cruise industry

with remarkable growth and commitment to excellence,” said Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA. “Their ongoing support of FCCA and dedication to enhancing the cruise experience make them a valued partner in driving the industry forward. We congratulate them on their achievements and look forward to continued collaboration.”

“Port Everglades continues to demonstrate its leadership in the cruise industry…”

—Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA

Port Everglades’ expanding cruise portfolio now includes homeport operations for Disney Cruise Line, alongside a distinguished lineup of brands such as Celebrity Cruises, Crystal, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, RitzCarlton Yacht Collection, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises, and Viking Cruises.

With its homeport operations and strategic partnerships, Port Everglades is poised for an unprecedented year of growth highlighted by the anticipated arrival of 4.4 million cruise passengers and new ships, including Celebrity Xcel and the new Star Princess.

Organizers of the FCCA Foundation’s Shining Stars Dinner are grateful and excited to have Port Everglades on board as a committed partner to advancing the Foundation’s mission.

Puerto Rico Gears Up to Host FCCA Annual Conference

Puerto Rico is eagerly preparing to host the annual Cruise Conference & Trade Show by the FloridaCaribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) in 2025 and 2026, sparking excitement within the tourism industry.

Crystal J. Bell, Director of Air and Cruise Access at the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, shared her enthusiasm, recognizing the event as a milestone for the island’s cruise sector.

Bell emphasized that this event offers a platform to spotlight improvements and investments in cruise port infrastructure and services. “This is a significant moment for us as it allows us to display the advancements and investments that are being made at the ports,” Bell said, underscoring the event’s role in promoting progress in Ponce, Ceiba, and other emerging ports, including those catering to smaller luxury cruise ships.

“These events are a catalyst for business.”

—Crystal J. Bell, Director, Air and Cruise Access, Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Bell also underscored the pivotal role of FCCA’s PAMAC Summit events in driving business development for Puerto Rico. She cited the success story of Royal Caribbean’s new Icon of the Seas making a technical stop in Ponce before its official launch.

“These events are a catalyst for business,” she said, noting their potential to spark out-of-the-box ideas and discussions that pave the way for new business opportunities.

The return of the FCCA Conference to Puerto Rico highlights the island’s resilience and expansion in the cruise sector. It provides an opportunity to showcase its rich culture, warm hospitality, and state-of-theart port facilities to global industry leaders.

As preparations are underway for this year’s conference, Puerto Rico aims to strengthen its standing as a leading cruise destination, cultivate new partnerships, and affirm its commitment to excellence in the cruise industry.

Cruise Industry to Dock in Aruba

Aruba, “One Happy Island,” is preparing to extend its hospitality –along with its warmth, gratitude, and safety and well-being – to a prestigious group. Dozens of key cruise executives who decide where ships call, what to sell onboard and how to invest in infrastructure will gather with nearly 100 FCCA Platinum Members, comprised of prominent private and public sector stakeholders from the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, for the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) 2025 PAMAC Destination Summit.

Taking place throughout some of the top spots in Aruba from June 18 to 20, the event will be chockfull of its trademarked series of meetings, workshops and networking events connecting these entities to discuss trends and develop relationships and mutual benefits, while showcasing Aruba and working towards its goals as a strategic partner of FCCA.

“We are honored that Aruba will host this crucial event for our partners throughout the cruise industry and destinations,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “This will again prove the value of meeting in person to move forward together, while also being a testament to Aruba’s dedication to the industry, remarkable ability to host an event of this magnitude, and impressive initiatives underway.”

“…a testament to Aruba’s dedication…”

—Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA

“…one of the best ways to synergistically grow and improve.”

By hosting the event, Aruba will display local sites, facilities, food, products and more – including its airfare and hotel options – to the influential audience. Additionally, Aruba can coordinate specialized meetings with the attending executives for government leaders, tour operators, suppliers and more to help its people further prosper from cruise tourism.

The overall event will mostly focus on the Platinum Members and their needs, with the schedule including a session of one-on-one meetings, where members can privately meet with pre-selected executives, along with a joint meeting that brings together the entire group to discuss operations and developments, with a spotlight on product development, itinerary development, and more, with Platinum Members able to present any point to a panel of cruise executives.

“We cannot be prouder to offer events like these to foster mutual growth for Platinum Members and Member Line executives,” continued Paige. “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.”

Celebrating Women in Cruising

International Women’s Day 2025 Encourages Everyone to #AccelerateAction

On March 8, 2025, the world celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD). This United Nations Day of Observance occurs each year celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women everywhere. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating rights, equality and empowerment for women and girls globally. IWD has taken place annually for well over a century, with the first gathering in 1911. This year’s theme is #AccelerateAction.

The cruise industry’s commitment to accelerating action to uplift women in maritime has created career pathways and leadership opportunities both above and below deck, from the bridge to the boardroom.

According to Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA’s) “An Ocean of Opportunities” workforce development report, 94% of female seafarers work in the cruise industry, and 57% of

women in maritime (both at sea and on land) are employed in the cruise sector.

To operate ships in global destinations, cruise lines rely on a multinational workforce, representing more than 150 countries. In 2024, cruise lines employed nearly 300,000 seafarers, in addition to tens of thousands of employees on land. On large ships, there can be as many as 450 different types of jobs. Depending on ship size, the number of crew on board a vessel at any time can vary from 300 to more than 2,300. This global work force creates opportunities for all seagoing workers to learn and grow. And employee retention rates in the cruise industry are upwards of 80 percent.

Cruise also provides the most advanced opportunities for women in maritime and is leading the way in advancing female leadership. 50% of mid-level positions or higher are held by women, and 40

percent of senior leadership roles are held by women. Several cruise lines are led by female executives.

Many initiatives exist across the industry to support training, skills development, and career pathways for women. Last year, Carnival Corporation’s Women Officer Network (W.O.N.) program was honored with the prestigious Seatrade Cruise Award in the Investment in People category. Developed in 2023 by Louise Sara, Fleet Captain and Director of Maritime Standards at Carnival Corporation, the program seeks to inspire young women and connect current officers through role modelling and mentoring. The formal mentorship program provides a platform for female officers across the company’s eight brands to network and seek growth opportunities.

Through its commitment to advancing careers for women, cruise lines are breaking barriers, providing competitive wages and benefits, ongoing training, career advancement and the chance to travel the world. The cruise workforce is expected to grow in the coming years, with 51 new ships coming online 2025 through 2028, offering meaningful employment opportunities. Cruise is proud to be at the forefront of empowering women in maritime.

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The Man with NCLH’s Multibillion-Dollar Plan

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) announced a new leadership structure to execute on its multibillion-dollar fleet expansion for its ultra-premium and luxury cruise brands. Jason Montague has been appointed Chief Luxury Officer for NCLH, effective February 17, overseeing both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, capitalizing on his extensive industry expertise and strong track record previously leading these brands. This appointment underscores NCLH’s focus on its ‘Charting the Course’ strategy, which includes adding five newbuilds to its upscale brands’ fleets and plans to refurbish nearly all their existing vessels.

NCLH’s bold vision includes plans to substantially increase its presence and positioning in the ultra-premium and luxury markets. Oceania Cruises is expecting three newbuilds through 2029, starting with Allura later this year, and Marina and Riviera will be refurbished in 2026 and 2027, respectively. For Regent Seven Seas Cruises, two new vessels will be added through 2029, in addition to planned enhancements to Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

“I am deeply honored to once again lead Regent Seven Seas Cruises and collaborate with Frank in leading Oceania Cruises,” said Montague, incoming chief luxury officer at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “This is an exciting time for these

two award-winning brands, as we are ready to execute on our commitment to delivering sophisticated mid-sized, upscale and luxurious ships with elegant designs and state-of-the-art offerings. Also, the passion and exceptional talent of team members across each brand, both shoreside and shipside, are a true inspiration. I am confident we will set new standards and create unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

Norwegian Aqua to Make a Splash Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) took delivery of Norwegian Aqua , the 20th ship in its award-winning fleet and the first in the next-generation Prima Plus Class, on March 13 at the esteemed Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. As Norwegian Aqua prepares to enter service, NCL completes another landmark event with the float out of Norwegian Luna , which will move to the floating dock previously occupied by Norwegian Aqua for interior construction and furnishing in preparation for the ship’s launch in spring 2026.

“Norwegian Aqua is more than just a ship – it’s a commitment to our guests that we will continue to push boundaries and deliver MORE at sea,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “From thrilling attractions like the Aqua Slidecoaster to the debut of Sukhothai, our first Thai specialty restaurant, Norwegian Aqua is designed to create unforgettable moments for the whole family while cruising to the Caribbean,

Bermuda and our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, where we remain focused and excited about investing in the guest experience.”

Building on the legacy of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua is 10 percent larger in size and capacity, offering more wide-open space, thoughtful art and design, service that puts guests first and unmatched guest experiences. Norwegian Aqua introduces fresh features that exemplify NCL’s commitment to delivering MORE – more thrills, more dining and more immersive activities – while ensuring unparalleled service through the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship.

Oceania Cruises Reprises Its Signature French Restaurant

Oceania Cruises will be bringing its signature French restaurant, Jacques, on board its newest ship, Allura , which launches in mid-July. Named after renowned chef Jacques Pépin, the founding father of Oceania Cruises’ culinary philosophy and the line’s first-ever Executive Culinary Director, this sophisticated restaurant is already a crowd favorite with Oceania Cruises guests sailing on Marina and  Riviera.

In addition, Jacques will make its debut aboard  Vista, Allura’s sister ship, in October 2025, joining the Polo Grill steakhouse, Italian restaurant Toscana, and pan-Asian Red Ginger on all four of the line’s 1,200+ guest ships.

Welcome to MSC World America & MSC World Asia

MSC Cruises’ latest flagship, MSC World America, is set to become MSC Cruises’ 23rd ship and represent an evolution for the cruise line’s successful World Class platform with reimagined venues and concepts tailored specifically to the U.S. market, combining European style with American comfort.

The new ship is also the first in the fleet to feature seven onboard districts that bring together a range of tailored experiences. Combining bars, restaurants, entertainment and leisure facilities, each district meets the needs, moods and desires of different types of travelers.

MSC World America will be officially named on April 9 at the new MSC Cruise Terminal in PortMiami, the largest cruise terminal in the world, before the maiden voyage – a celebratory sailing to the company’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas –ahead of the vessel’s deployment in the Caribbean Sea.

The 22-deck Gross Tonnage 216,638 vessel measures 333.3metres in length and is 47 meters wide, with a capacity for 6,762 passengers and 2,138 crew, features 2,614 cabins and offers more than 38,400m of public space.

MSC World America features 18 bars and lounges and 19 dining venues, including four main restaurants, two buffets, two venues in the MSC Yacht Club exclusively for its guests, plus six separate specialty restaurants.

Guests can expect new dining concepts including Greek restaurant Paxos and the only Eataly restaurant at sea, along with new complimentary fast casual options to cater to every taste and temptation.

The new flagship will also debut two brand-new lounge concepts – All-Stars Sports Bar, offering an authentic game-day atmosphere with all-American fare and bar games, and The Loft, a multi-purpose venue for comedy, karaoke and more.

MSC Cruises’ newest World Class ship, MSC World Asia , will also soon join, scheduled to sail in December 2026. The new ship is the third World Class ship –each of which is named in homage to the world’s continents, reflecting the global nature of MSC Cruises.

MSC World Asia features subtle design elements that reflect Asia’s rich culture, art, and beautiful landscapes. It retains the signature plumb bow rising vertically from the waterline and the iconic Y-shaped aft that opens onto the impressive outdoor promenade, hallmarks of MSC Cruises’ World Class ships.

When Icons Become Legends

Royal Caribbean has once again set a new standard for vacations with its third Icon Class vessel: Legend of the Seas. The unmatched combination of experiences that define the revolutionary Icon Class will sail year-round from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting in November 2026 on 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean vacations.

“On the heels of celebrating one year of the record-breaking Icon Class and the memories made by vacationers of all ages on Icon, we are thrilled to announce the name of Royal Caribbean’s third Icon Class vacation,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Legend of the Seas is the next bold step in this exciting era of vacations and the continuation of the Icon Class legacy, and we look forward to bringing the revolutionary lineup of experiences to more families and adventurers across Europe, the Caribbean and beyond.”

The third combination of the best of every vacation will bring more of the unparalleled experiences introduced by Icon of the Seas and doubled by Star of the Seas , the next in the lineup debuting in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in August 2025. There’s something for every type of family and vacationer across eight neighborhoods with more than 40 ways to dine and drink, adrena-

line-pumping thrills, unrivaled ways to chill, and plenty of ways for vacationers to make memories together and on their own, without compromise.

Adventurers have in store a lineup of Icon Class highlights on Legend from thrills like Crown’s Edge – part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride – to the largest waterpark at sea, Category 6. Sun-seekers can kick back and choose from seven pools for every vibe and mood, including the largest pool at sea, Royal Bay; swim-up bar Swim & Tonic and the adults-only Hideaway, featuring a oneof-a-kind infinity pool suspended above the ocean. Plus, families of all ages can spend time together or chart their own adventures at Surfside, the neighborhood designed for young families, and with a lineup of activities and ways to stay, including the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse with reimagined spaces for the whole family.

Legend will also be the vacation company’s fourth ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and feature a proven lineup of industry-leading environmental programs. With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connection, Legend will advance Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

Celebrity Xcel Erases the Line Between Ship & Shore

A transformational experience awaits on Celebrity Xcel: The Bazaar, a brand-new multi-level, multi-sensory space unlike anything else at sea. The new experience will be an epicenter of excitement on board and will introduce authentic experiences that extend guests’ time “on shore” to enjoy destinations in an unconventional way. Offering non-stop exploration, The Bazaar invites guests to get swept away in the sights, sounds, flavors, and traditions of the places they visit, and the festivals made famous by those destinations, all while on board Celebrity Xcel.

A first of its kind concept, no two days at The Bazaar are the same. Each day, the three-story space will transform, introducing new ways for guests to immerse themselves in the destinations called on throughout their sailing. The Bazaar comes alive to blend guests’ aboard and ashore experiences in an elevated, authentic and unique way throughout sailings; from a market featuring local artisan products and hands-on craft experiences, to destination inspired festivals specific to each itinerary, regionally inspired culinary experiences, and unforgettable entertainment.

“The Bazaar is a truly one-of-a-kind space designed to seamlessly blend ship and shore and transform the way guests experience destinations,” shares Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity Xcel intentionally extends the destination experience onboard through a continued authentic offering between ports of call, allowing guests to take the destination with them.”

Examples include four unique Caribbean destination-inspired festivals – each linked to a destination where the ship is sailing – which will immerse guests in the cultures of ports they visit. Every festival will bring a destination to life in a myriad of ways, including local food and beverage offerings, crafting experiences, retail enrichment activations, destination-inspired cooking and dance classes, pop-up entertainment, performances from local musicians, and other Caribbeaninspired activities.

An enriched vacation experience continues for guests in port, as Celebrity’s authentic shore excursions offer multiple unique ways to explore a region’s culture, designed to meet varying guest travel styles.

Celebrity Xcel will kick off her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale in November, followed by a European season in summer 2026.

‘Xcel

2’ on the Books

Royal Caribbean Group has signed an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to order a sixth Edge Series ship for delivery to Celebrity Cruises in 2028. Edge 6 or “Xcel 2” will be the sister-ship to Celebrity Xcel Other Edge Series ships include Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Edge – the first ship in the series that was delivered in 2018.

New, Immersive Experiences Coming to Disney Adventure

Disney Cruise Line unveiled a series of new and incredible experiences coming to Disney Adventure, including several firsts for the fleet, giving guests even more reasons to book and enjoy a magical vacation at sea.

More beloved Disney stories and characters will come to life on through Marvel Style Studio that makes its Disney Cruise Line debut, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and Royal Society for Friendship and Tea. In another first for the fleet, Duffy and Friends will appear onboard through a series of delightful retail and entertainment experiences.

The Disney Adventure is Disney Cruise Line’s first ship to homeport in Asia. It will sail on primarily threeand four-night voyages designed with only days at sea and something for everyone to enjoy onboard.

A World of Possibilities for Everyone Onboard

A first for Disney Cruise Line, guests aboard Disney Adventure will celebrate fan-favorite Superheroes with Marvel-inspired hair, makeup and clothing options at Marvel Style Studio. Children and adults alike will revel in the opportunity to be styled like icons from the Marvel Universe.

At Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices will provide an enchanted salon experience catered to younger guests aged 3 to 12. With options ranging from elegant royalty to adventurous sea captains, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will offer magical transformations with a variety of costumes, from shining knights to favorite Disney princesses.

At the Royal Society for Friendship and Tea, kids aged 3 to 12 will be cordially invited to a charming royal tea party with favorite Disney Princesses. New “society members” will enjoy an enchanting afternoon of scrumptious treats, captivating storytelling and whimsical music while learning about the society’s values of kindness, bravery and determination. The Royal Society for Friendship and Tea will take place in the Hollywood Spotlight Club and will be the perfect place for magical meetings with old friends and new. When the delightful afternoon ends, guests will take home official society membership keepsakes.

Unforgettable Character Encounters Await Each Guest

In another first for Disney Cruise Line, fans of Duffy and Friends will be delighted to find the beloved characters onboard, including a brand-new stage show, special encounters, a retail location, and more. As the story goes, Duffy the Disney Bear is Mickey Mouse’s very own teddy bear which Minnie Mouse made and gave him, so Mickey would always have a friend by his side.

On Disney Adventure, a brand-new stage show at the Disney Imagination Garden, “Duffy and The Friend Ship,” will bring guests on a journey filled with joy, inspiration and original new songs.

In the all-new, action-packed show, “Captain Jack Sparrow & The Siren Queen,” guests will be encouraged to dress up in their best pirate finery before joining the adventure, to aid Captain Jack and his band of pirates.

Windstar Cruises’ New Gem & Redesigned Flagship

In keeping with its commitment to providing exceptional culinary experiences, leading yacht-style cruise line Windstar Cruises announced the addition of Basil + Bamboo™, a new complimentary specialty restaurant aboard Star Seeker, Windstar’s newest yacht launching in December.

“As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation®, we continue to prioritize bringing exceptional dining experiences to our guests. The introduction of Basil + Bamboo will further enhance and diversify the culinary offerings available aboard,” said Windstar Cruises’ Chief Operations Officer Stijn Creupelandt. “This new dining venue perfectly complements the elevated ambiance of Star Seeker and the exciting destinations she will visit.”

Star Seeker is Windstar’s newest yacht, featuring 112 spacious suites, nearly all with a full private veranda or a floor-to-ceiling infinity window. The yacht will be sailing to Alaska, the Caribbean, and Japan in 2026.

Wind Surf’s Redesigned Spaces & Suites

Windstar Cruises’ flagship vessel, Wind Surf, has unveiled its latest transformation project focused on the yacht’s common spaces and suites. The upgrades to the

342-guest sailing yacht debut amidst Wind Surf’s prime Caribbean sailing season.

“Wind Surf has always been a guest favorite, and this refurbishment honors its legacy while elevating the onboard experience to new heights,” said Creupelandt, “From refreshed design elements to modern technology upgrades, this transformation sets the stage for an unforgettable journey on our flagship sailing yacht.”

Celebrity Cruises Launches River Vacations

Celebrity Cruises will usher in a new era in river cruising with Celebrity River Cruises, a premium river cruise vacation that will begin taking bookings this year. The brand has signed an initial order for 10 transformative ships that will take guests to historic cities on the world’s most iconic rivers, launching in Europe.

“We’re thrilled to announce our entry into the river cruise market through our Celebrity Cruises premium travel brand. Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best – innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.

“With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to vacation on a river cruise, we know they will enjoy Celebrity’s elevated offering on the river. By leveraging our valuable loyalty programs across our three brands, we will deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings. We are the best in the world at delivering the vacation of a lifetime, and this is the latest example of how we are building the capabilities to deliver a lifetime of vacations.”

Celebrity River Cruises is a natural extension of Celebrity’s premium offering that will bring its unique service-first approach to the river. Guests will get the

keys to sail through the heart of culturally and historically significant cities, experience locally inspired cuisine and unique shore experiences – The Celebrity Way. With ships that will give guests 360 degrees of breathtaking views, every moment will be designed to immerse guests in the beauty of the journey.

P&O Cruises’ New Record

P&O Cruises has reported its strongest ever January, with record-breaking sales volume across the board during the month. The cruise line also reported more newcomers have booked in January than ever before. The two most popular destinations were Norwegian fjords and Caribbean with both destinations booking record volumes, as well as the highest number of premium cabins booked, with more suites and balconies booked throughout January than ever before.

Holland America Line’s New Global Brand Campaign

Holland America Line has revitalized its tagline and positioning with the rollout of a new global brand campaign that underscores the cruise line’s differentiation in the market as well as its commitment to servicing guests. The introduction of “Savour the Journey: Experiences with us are too good to hurry through” reinforces the brand’s dedication to the art of leisurely travel with exceptional voyages designed to connect travelers to the world and each other. The campaign honors Holland America Line’s more than 150-year history while positioning the brand for future growth.

Rooted in its Dutch heritage, Holland America Line is a leader for its award-winning style of warm and authentic service that can’t be copied or imitated. The cruise line continues to build on its differentia-

tion in destinations, on-board experiences and culinary excellence to deliver on existing guest needs while bringing onboard new ones. It is from this common ground across new and existing segments that Savour the Journey was formed.

Based on extensive consumer research that captured the behaviors and interests of its core and growth segments, rather than just demographics, the updated positioning spotlights key differentiators that set Holland America Line apart: The messaging of “Experiences with us are too good to hurry through” speaks to travelers, vacationers and cruisers who want to savor every moment of their journey, and that is something only Holland America Line can provide.

“We have always believed that the journey is just as important as the destination, and that is what Savour the Journey embodies,” said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer at Holland America Line. “’Experiences with us are too good to hurry through’ encapsulates our genuine hospitality, world-class on-board product, cuisine that goes beyond the plate, and leadership in the art of leisurely travel.”

The key pillars of differentiation were crafted to resonate with guests who appreciate the art of leisurely travel, regardless of demographics, geography or family size.

Seabourn’s ‘Authors at Sea’ Program

Seabourn is further enhancing its diverse and enrichment offerings with the launch of “Authors at Sea,” a new program available on select sailings featuring best-selling authors, historians and biographers, along with live events and hands-on workshops for aspiring authors. “Authors at Sea” is part of the line’s popular Seabourn Conversations enrichment and guest entertainment program, and guest authors will also engage with guests, sharing meals, adventures ashore and casual chats throughout the voyage.

“Onboard entertainment and enrichment are so important to the Seabourn

experience, and our ‘Authors at Sea’ program brings together celebrated writers to connect with guests in a meaningful way through engaging conversations and interactive sessions,” said Handre Potgieter, Seabourn’s director of entertainment and enrichment. “We are dedicated to creating extraordinary experiences and memorable moments at sea, and this new program was designed to further inspire and enrich our guests when they sail on Seabourn.”

Designed to enlighten, inform and entertain guests, Seabourn Conversations is the line’s complimentary onboard enrichment program and offers guests the opportunities to interact with the finest minds in literature, history, science and more. Each speaker offers fascinating insights, expert opinions and enlightening conversations while presenting on stage, sharing meals, adventuring ashore, and socializing with guests throughout the voyage.

Cunard Invites the Public to Co-Create a ‘Sea

Are future generations at risk of losing precious childhood memories? According to new research by luxury British cruise line Cunard, the digital age is creating a generational gap in our collective history. In response to this, Cunard is calling upon the public to help preserve these precious moments in a new physical exhibition curated by renowned British photographer Mary McCartney to mark 185 years of ocean travel.

Reliance on digital storage could create a generational memory gap –72% believe that without printed photos, future generations’ memories could be lost. Furthermore, only half (51%) of adults are confident that their photos will be accessible in 50 years’ time!

This trend threatens to impact the historic footprint and shareable legacy that physical photos and albums once provided. Especially as over half of adults (53%) admit to being forced to delete their photos because they ran out

of Glamour’

of storage or lost photos because their phone broke (39%).

To remedy this, Cunard is inviting guests, employees, and celebrities to share their unforgettable images from on board its ships. These contributions will form part of the ‘Sea of Glamour’ exhibition, set to debut at Liverpool’s famous Liver Building in May.

The exhibition will feature a stunning collection of photos of Hollywood icons, musicians, politicians, and royalty from the Cunard archives, alongside newly curated images from the public to form a timeline of iconic moments that will immerse visitors in the magic of nearly two centuries of transatlantic travel.

Mary McCartney will take the final photograph for the exhibition herself, capturing a portrait of Queen Anne’s Icons in Liverpool on the day it opens. This unique image will offer a fresh, captivating perspective on Cunard’s iconic link to Liverpool.

Carnival Corporation

Helping to Drive Significant Operational Efficiencies

Carnival Corporation & plc is advancing greater fuel efficiency for propulsion through innovative hull designs and new hardware and technology, along with underwater drone inspection and cleaning trials.

This work is done through complementary strategies focused on maximizing hydrodynamic performance and enhancing ongoing hull maintenance, which reduces a ship’s underwater drag. Together, these efforts reduce fuel use for each ship and across the company’s global fleet, which also lowers its overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“We’re not just tinkering here – we’re looking at every available area for improvement for how our cruise ships operate,” said Lars Ljoen, chief maritime officer for Carnival Corporation. “By combining state-of-the-art hull designs, advanced propulsion technology and years of experience, we’re continuously enhancing our ships’ performance.”

Increasing Hydrodynamic Efficiency

The following elements cumulatively improve hydrodynamic efficiency across the fleet, reducing the propulsive power and fuel needed to drive ships through water:

• Hull Designs: When selecting the optimal hull design, computer-assisted analysis enables ship and propeller designers to run hundreds of thousands of simulations, identifying the best design options for different sailing conditions.

• Trim Optimization: Software is used onboard to optimize the trim of a vessel by transferring ballast water internally to ensure that the ship operates continuously in the best configuration for propulsive efficiency.

• Podded Propellers: Over 40 ships in the company’s fleet are fitted with high-efficiency, 360-degree steerable podded propulsion units that are up to ~7% more efficient than conventional propellers. This number will continue to grow as new ships with this technology are added to the fleet.

• Air Lubrication Systems (ALS): Over 10% of the company’s fleet is already equipped with this leading-edge technology, which uses air bubbles to reduce the ship’s resistance as it moves through the water, reducing propulsive fuel consumption by 5% or more. Over the next three years, 10 more ships are planned for ALS conversion.

• Hull Inspections with Drones: Drones are being trialed to monitor the condition of hull coatings, allowing the company to optimize the timing of hull cleaning and manage marine growth and debris for retaining peak hydrodynamic efficiency.

• Robot Hull Cleaning : The company is conducting trials with several service providers that offer the next generation of remotely operated vehicle (ROV) “robot” hull cleaners. The ROVs can map the hull and accelerate the cleaning process, offering continuous

improvement opportunities for cleaning speed, efficiency and quality to approach the goal of full hull cleaning during a single port visit and efficiently cleaning without damaging protective hull coatings.

• Next-Gen Hull Paint : Innovative new hull coatings with advanced biofouling prevention are continually being tested across the company’s global operations to evaluate durability, efficiency, longevity and ease of application. At any one time, about 15% of the Carnival Corporation fleet is trialing promising new coatings.

The application of increasingly effective hull coatings, and proactive maintenance and performance strategies are high on the list of Carnival Corporation’s fuel savings and decarbonization strategies as the company pursues its aspiration of net zero GHG emissions by 2050.

Ljoen added: “This has been a journey of small steps and years of continued collaboration to push the boundaries of innovation and drive solutions for greater efficiencies. It is safe to say that collectively these initiatives have contributed to significant improvements in fuel and energy efficiency over time. In essence, we are continuously reducing our environmental footprint at the same time we deliver the best vacation experience for our guests.”

For more information on the company’s long-term sustainability vision and focus areas, visit Carnival Corporation’s dedicated report website, CarnivalSustainability.com.

Holiday Gifts, Cheer and Festivities

Delivered to Deserving Children in Cruise Communities

This holiday season, Santa climbed down cruise ship smokestacks instead of chimneys as he traveled to 25 destinations throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Because of the efforts of Old St. Nick himself, the FCCA Foundation, FCCA Member Lines and the participating destination partners, nearly 5,000 deserving children had something to celebrate this year during the 23rd annual FCCA Foundation Holiday Gift Project – and the first since the relaunch of the FCCA Foundation last year following its cessation of activities due to Covid-19.

The FCCA Foundation contributed gifts selected for age groups and genders specified by the destinations. With Member Lines’ 24 participating cruise ships serving as a sleigh and crew as elves, they brought the presents to the destinations, where representatives coordinated festivities both on board and on land. During the celebrations, with guests often ranging from Santa and Shrek to Mickey Mouse and The Cat in the Hat, the children not only receive their presents, but also the gift of a memory that will last a lifetime.

The spirit and cheer extend past the children; all of those involved exemplify it and realize the project’s importance, knowing the children probably would not receive toys and smiles otherwise.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making the Holiday Gift Project event a success,” said Carol Marrero Ortega of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC).

“Thanks to your efforts, both the children and their accompanying adults enjoyed a wonderful experience, including the gift distribution by Santa Claus and his helpers. The feedback from all attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and they left with fond memories of the event. Thank you all for being part of this special occasion.”

Ortega touched not just on the sentiment, but also on part of the importance of the festivities and the meaning for all involved – helping kids enjoy being kids,

a concept seemingly simple, but mostly unknown to the children in shelters and homes benefitted by the project, and something that has a lasting effect on all involved.

This was also the effect Michele Paige, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the FCCA, recognized: “The FCCA Holiday Gift Project brings happiness to children who truly deserve it. The cruise industry is proud to give back to the communities of the destinations we call, and I cannot think of a more rewarding way than bringing cheer and aid to children who need it.”

She encapsulated the main mission of not only the Holiday Gift Project, but also the entire FCCA Foundation: to improve the lives of underprivileged children throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, while aiming to provide them a foundation for their present and future with causes primarily focused on education, sports, and career-building opportunities.

Every smile is a reminder of this mandate and an invaluable return on the time, efforts and funds provided for causes and projects like these – and the hundreds of thousands of children who have benefited – over the Foundation’s existence.

Participating Destinations

Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Antigua; Aruba; Barbados; Belize; Cartagena, Colombia; Cayman Islands; Cozumel,

Mexico; Curacao; Dominica; Falmouth, Jamaica; Freeport, Bahamas; Grenada; Guatemala; Martinique; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Nassau, Bahamas; Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale; Roatan, Honduras; Saint Lucia; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Maarten; St. Kitts; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Participating FCCA Member Lines & Ships

Carnival Cruise Line

Celebration, Elation, Horizon, Jubilee and Miracle

Celebrity Cruises

Eclipse, Equinox and Summit

Holland America Line

Nieuw Statendam

MSC Cruises

Virtuosa

Norwegian Cruise Line

Breakaway, Bliss, Epic and Gem

Princess Cruises

Emerald, Enchanted and Sun

Royal Caribbean International

Allure, Explorer, Oasis and Rhapsody

Virgin Voyages

Resilient Lady

FCCA Renews Strategic Development Agreement with the British Virgin Islands

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has again renewed its strategic development agreement with the British Virgin Islands. The tailored “Presidential Partner” agreement builds on the partnership originally formed in 2023 – and aims to further capitalize on record years for both the destination and cruise industry.

“This renewed agreement shows the momentum that FCCA and destinations are having in working together to maximize cruise tourism’s benefits,” said Micky Arison, Chairman of FCCA and Carnival Corporation & plc. “The British Virgin Islands has been a long-standing partner of the industry, and I am thrilled that this agreement signifies the improvement of so many lives and livelihoods.”

The British Virgin Islands has renewed this agreement to further grow its economic benefits from cruise tourism, which generated $85.7 million in direct expenditures, in addition to 1,666 jobs paying $18.3 million in wages during the 2023/2024 cruise year, according to the Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA) report, Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies

Both the British Virgin Islands and FCCA are also looking to further capitalize on recent records, including the 34.7 million cruise passengers that were projected to sail in 2024, as well as the destination’s tourist arrivals surging to 1,092,139 in 2024, a 9.8% increase compared 2023 – and reflecting

growth across all visitor categories, with 768,293 Cruise Ship Visitors, a 6.8% increase; 305,876 Overnight Visitors, a 16.7% increase; and 17,970 Day Trippers, a 35.1% increase.

“The BVIPA is delighted to continue partnering with FCCA on our Strategic Development as it has consistently proven to be a significant contributor to our continued cruise growth and success,” said Akeem Pickering, Managing Director, BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA).

“The growth and success of this partnership agreement are not only of benefit to BVIPA but extends to many families in our beautiful country. While our physical size is small of that in nature, our aim is to strive to be a giant presence in the Caribbean cruise market. We look forward to continued upward trajectory with this partnership as we serve the people of the BVI.”

Through the agreement, FCCA will not only continue to guide the British Virgin Islands government on enhancing their

“The British Virgin Islands has been a long-standing partner…”

—Micky Arison, Chairman, FCCA & Carnival Corporation & plc.

product and increasing cruise calls, but also facilitate new experiences to offer cruise companies and collaborate with the local private sector to maximize any opportunities.

Additionally, the agreement utilizes FCCA’s cruise executive committees, including sub-committees focused on employment and purchasing, for a series of meetings and site visits focused on the British Virgin Islands’ objectives.

The British Virgin Islands also has open access to the FCCA Executive Committee, comprised of presidents and above of FCCA Member Lines, along with their efforts to effectuate the agreement’s objectives and the destination’s goals.

Some of the other features of the strategic partnership include a focus on converting cruise guests to stay-over visitors, promoting summer cruising, engaging travel agents, creating consumer demand and developing a destination service needs assessment that will detail strengths, opportunities and needs.

“We are proud of our past work with the British Virgin Islands and honored that they have again put their faith in us and the cruise industry,” said Michele Paige, President, FCCA. “Through this agreement, FCCA remains fully committed to fulfilling individualized initiatives, which focus on assisting the private sector, improving employment, fostering cruise lines’ purchase of local goods and more that will help locals prosper from the economic impact that the industry brings.”

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Welcomes FCCA Delegation

The FCCA leadership team and key cruise executives visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines from February 18-19 to meet with key government officials and strengthen the growing strategic partnership.

The site visit kicked off with an inspection of the Kingstown Cruise Terminal and a working lunch with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority, which discussed port expansion, development plans, and environmental and sustainability initiatives.

During the visit, the FCCA delegation – including CEO Michele Paige; President Adam Ceserano; Operations Committee Chair Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Government & Destination Affairs for Carnival Corporation; and Matthew Weintraub, Director of Port Development for Norwegian Cruise Line – also engaged with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, government officials, and key cruise tourism stakeholders, with discussions covering port operations, logistics, and industry growth, complemented by a cultural presentation and a tour of port facilities. Another key event was a Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders in the tourism industry.

“…our commitment to cruise…”

—Carl James

At a reception held at the Prime Minister’s residence on February 18, FCCA CEO Michele Paige outlined reasons why she is asking stakeholders in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to believe that the cruise industry is good for the country:

“…make

St. Vincent a demand destination…”

—Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA

“The cruise industry is building 68 new ships that are going to come into service. Why not put them into St. Vincent and the Grenadines?” she said, continuing, “With the work that I am asking you to do to encourage them to make St. Vincent a demand destination…my friends, please, work with us to be able to encourage spending and return visitors and we would have a beautiful bilateral partnership.”

Carl James, CEO of the SVG Port Authority, also focused on partnership: “We at the Port Authority show our commitment to cruise, and we intend to work with all of our stakeholders in a collaborative manner. We want to build what could be considered an exceptional and competitive product and make St. Vincent one of the most desirable places in the Caribbean for cruise ships to come to.”

That desirability was displayed during the entire trip, with the delegation experiencing a sampling of much of the vibrant culture and music of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which is shaped by its history, geography, and diverse population.

From welcoming port facilities, diverse shore excursions and authentic cultural activities, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has much for cruise ship guests to experience.

For more information about the destination, visit www.discoversvg.com.

Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady Makes Historic First Arrival in Cartagena, Colombia

Marking a new milestone in maritime connectivity and cruise tourism, Virgin Voyages brought its flagship Resilient Lady to Colombia, reinforcing the country’s status as a premier Caribbean destination.

Colombia celebrated a historic moment on Friday, January 24 as Resilient Lady made its inaugural arrival in Cartagena. This marks the first visit from the renowned U.S.-based cruise line, a significant event that underscores Colombia’s growing prominence in the global cruise industry.

On this special day, Cartagena welcomed 2,469 sailors eager to explore the city’s rich cultural and historical treasures. As the only Colombian stop on an 11-night itinerary, Cartagena’s inclusion represents a major achievement in enhancing Colombia’s maritime connectivity and its role as a key player in the Caribbean cruise circuit.

Sailors on this maiden voyage enjoyed immersive experiences, including tours of Cartagena’s iconic walled city, cultural activities, and culinary excursions that showcased the best of Colombian cuisine.

Strengthening Colombia’s Global Cruise Presence

“This is a key moment for Colombia,” said Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the promotion agency of the country. “It is the result of years of collaboration with Virgin Voyages and other industry stakeholders. At ProColombia, we have tirelessly promoted the country’s maritime connectivity with the goal of solidifying Colombia as an attractive destination for cruise tourism. This achievement reinforces our position as a regional leader and is a victory for all Colombians.”

Lee Kayley, Virgin Voyages’ Manager Shore Excursions shared his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to bring Virgin Voyages

to Colombia for the first time. Cartagena’s unique blend of history, culture, and vibrant atmosphere offers an incredible experience for our sailors. We look forward to fostering a lasting relationship with this beautiful destination.”

Why Cartagena?

Virgin Voyages highlighted several reasons for choosing Cartagena as a key destination: Rich Cultural Heritage: Cartagena’s unique history, diverse gastronomy, and immersive cultural experiences stood out as major draws.

Extended Stays: With port visits lasting up to 18 hours—and in some cases overnight—sailors can fully experience Cartagena’s nightlife and cultural richness.

Future Commitments: Virgin Voyages has itineraries featuring Cartagena planned through 2026, with ambitions to expand its presence in the region.

Tourism and Economic Impact: The influx of cruise sailors boosts local businesses, from restaurants to cultural attractions, driving sustainable economic growth.

Sustainability Focus: Virgin Voyages is committed to sustainable tourism, offering free training for local suppliers to align with global environmental standards.

A Vision for Long-Term Partnership

Liliana Rodríguez, Executive President of Corpoturismo, the tourism board of Cartagena, highlighted the collaborative spirit driving the city’s success: “Today, with four ships from three major cruise lines docked in our port and hosting nearly 23,000 tourists, Cartagena reaffirms its capacity, administrative commitment, and the synergy that defines our tourism ecosystem. The arrival of Virgin Voyages further solidifies our position as Colombia’s leading cruise destination.”

This milestone not only elevates the cruise industry but also bolsters Colombia’s tourism sector, a rapidly emerging powerhouse earning global recognition and acclaim. In 2024, Colombia welcomed over 6.6 million international travelers, reflecting an impressive 8.5% growth compared to the record-breaking numbers of 2023. This steady upward trajectory has positioned Colombia as the #1 destination for U.S. travelers in South America, cementing its status as a global tourism hotspot.

“The arrival today of over 2,000 from the United States to Cartagena reflects the robust and dynamic tourism between our countries. Year on year, Colombia stands out as a top destination for American travelers, welcoming over 1.4 million visitors annually. This milestone also highlights the confidence of U.S. and global tour operators in Colombia’s diverse offerings, further strengthening the connections that drive our economic and cultural exchange,” said Daniel García-Peña, Colombian Ambassador to the United States.

Colombia’s rising prominence has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, the country earned a place in prestigious travel lists by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Condé Nast Traveler, reinforcing its growing reputation as a premier destination.

With a thriving tourism sector, a commitment to sustainability, and partners like Virgin Voyages investing in its future, Colombia is not just a destination – it’s an unstoppable force redefining meaningful travel experiences. The Country of Beauty is determined to continue capturing the hearts of travelers worldwide, setting the stage for long-term growth and enduring international recognition.

The Cayman Islands Is in High Demand

The Cayman Islands welcomed 41,418 stayover visitors in January 2025 – an increase of 7.7% over 2024 and the second-best January in recorded history, setting the destination on pace for a strong 2025.

“January’s record numbers demonstrate the resilience of the Cayman Islands tourism industry, and we look forward to seeing an increase in visitation throughout 2025,” said Kenneth Bryan, Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Ports.

The United States continued to show steady growth, with visitor numbers increasing by 8.8% compared to January 2024. Visitors from the Northeast, Midwest and South of the United States recorded growth in visitation fueled by seat capacity increases in the key markets of Miami via American Airlines, Boston via JetBlue and Chicago via United Airlines and new service in Orlando via Southwest and Minneapolis/St. Paul via Delta Air Lines.

The seat capacity increase and new services from the United States can be attributed to a dedicated aviation strategy by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) including a Q4 2024 investment in geotargeted advertising campaigns with airline partners to drive visitation from key U.S. gateways.

Remarking on January’s results, Director of Tourism, Rosa Harris stat-

ed, “This achievement is a testament to our strategic and steady approach to rebuilding visitor confidence and demand through our marketing and business development efforts.”

Harris was also named “Director of the Year” by Caribbean Journal as part of their 2025 Caribbean Travel Awards. This prestigious accolade recognizes Mrs. Harris’ exceptional leadership and her steadfast commitment to advancing the Cayman Islands as a premier luxury destination while preserving our rich cultural heritage and renowned Caymanian hospitality.

Serving as Director of Tourism for over a decade, Harris has played a pivotal role in shaping the Cayman Islands’ global tourism strategy. Under her leadership, the Cayman Islands achieved its best-ever year for stayover arrivals in 2019, a milestone that underscored her ability to innovate and elevate the destination’s appeal to travelers worldwide.

In addition to her work in the Cayman Islands, Harris recently served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), a role in which she provided visionary leadership to the entire region. Balancing this dual responsibility as both Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands and Chair of the CTO Board of Directors, she championed sustainable growth and collaboration across the Caribbean.

Minister of Tourism Grisha Heyliger-Marten and Eric van Putten, Managing Director of Designer’s Choice N.V

St. Maarten Revitalizing & Elevating Presence

St. Maarten is taking new steps to revitalize as a premier tourist destination, with Minister of Tourism Grisha HeyligerMarten signing an assignment with Designer’s Choice. This decision follows a public tender process selecting a qualified vendor to execute two projects: the Philipsburg Beautification Master Plan and the Soualiga Routes Initiative.

The Master Plan is set to inject new life into Philipsburg through strategic design enhancements and artistic features, making the town an appealing hub. The plan will incorporate sustainable practices, ensuring developments are practical, environmentally friendly, and supportive of the island’s long-term resilience. Focused on revitalizing public spaces, this initiative aims to attract more foot traffic, in turn fostering economic growth while maintaining a balance between development, infrastructure management and nature preservation.

The Soualiga Routes project will enhance key roadways primarily used by tourists, such as to and from the ports of entry as well as the Dutch-side/French-side borders. By transforming these into scenic routes highlighted by art and culture, the project aims to enrich the touristic experience while providing unique photo opportunities that will promote visitors’ social media narratives.

Additionally, St. Maarten is continuing to elevate the island’s presence across the Caribbean. As part of this strategic initiative, the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) has partnered with renowned social media personality Daniel Loveless as a Caribbean Cultural Ambassador to amplify the island’s vibrance, culture, and unique experiences.

During a visit, Loveless showcased St. Maarten’s diverse offerings through his popular ‘What Yuh Know’ social media platforms, reaching his vast audience of over 1 million viewers across the Caribbean. From exhilarating adventures to mouthwatering cuisine and engaging with the island’s warm, multi-cultural community, his content captured the very essence of St. Maarten: the people, experiences, and energy that make it an unforgettable destination. Plus, he highlighted St. Maarten’s iconic events, encouraging travelers to mark their calendars for SXM Festival (March 12-16); St. Maarten Carnival (April 21-May 5); and Soul Beach Music Festival (May 21-26).

STB also commenced with a fourpage spread in the digital publication of Travelweek Magazine, which came on the heels of hosting 10 top selling Canadian travel agents to the destination in December 2024 as part of a familiarization trip. Travelweek ran promotions from the end of August through September 2024 asking interested travel agents to apply for a spot on this unique trip. Over 400 applications were received, and only 10 agents were chosen. The STB objective of the trip was to inspire, engage and educate Canadian travel professionals with an outof-the-box St. Maarten experience that included a race experience, culinary tasting, hotel visits with updates and opportunities to give back to a community project.

USVI Tourism Shines at Routes Americas 2025

The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), reinforced its position as a premier Caribbean destination at the Routes Americas 2025 conference, held in Nassau, Bahamas from

February 10-12. Led by Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, the delegation from the USVI Department of Tourism, engaged in high level discussions aimed at expanding air access for travelers and fostering vital partnerships within the aviation industry.

The team participated in a series of productive discussions with 19 key stakeholders from the airline industry, including major carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airways, JetBlue, and United Airlines.

“Our participation at Routes is instrumental in solidifying relationships with major airlines and furthering our efforts to enhance air access to America’s paradise,” said Commissioner Boschulte. “The positive feedback we received from airline representatives underscores our commitment to providing unparalleled travel experiences for visitors to the Territory.”

Conversations centered on growth strategies focused on opening new gateways in high-demand markets, strengthening existing routes, and addressing seasonality shifts to maximize the Territory’s tourism potential. The strategic approach puts a clear emphasis on enhancing air connectivity as a key driver for tourism growth in the region.

Commissioner Boschulte took center stage as a panelist on the opening day of the conference, speaking in a session titled Embracing Sustainability: Strategies for Tourism Authorities. Alongside other industry leaders, including Bert van der Stege, CEO of Harbour Air; Joy Jibrilu, CEO of Nassau Paradise Island; and Rosa Harris, CTO Airlift Committee, the Commissioner shared valuable insights on sustainable tourism practices and their relevance to the aviation sector.

Throughout the conference, the USVI delegation presented in-depth market analysis and strategic data, previewing upcoming marketing campaigns and cooperative opportunities. Airline executives responded positively, expressing enthusiasm for incorporating the insights into their scheduling and network planning decisions.

The USVI’s presence at Routes Americas 2025 further cements its reputation as a leader in Caribbean tourism, highlighting its commitment to expanding air services and positioning the Territory as an accessible and attractive destination for travelers.

The Dominican Republic’s New Record & Cruise Port

The Dominican Republic has made breaking records sound like a broken record, so it should be no surprise that it started the year with another tourism milestone. The destination welcomed 1,155,484 visitors in January (759,929 by air and 395,555 cruise guests): an 8% increase year over year, 22% over 2023, and 53% over 2019, according to Minister of Tourism David Collado – who emphasized that 2025 will be even better for tourism due to strong public-private partnerships and efforts to improve air connectivity.

There will also be better cruise connectivity, as construction has begun on the country’s newest cruise ship terminal: the Port of Barahona. The new terminal will allow cruise ships to dock in the area for the first time.

Barahona is located on the Dominican Republic’s deep southwest, known as “El Sur Profundo,” and features the most biodiverse reserve and parks in the country, surfing beaches, freshwater cascades turned natural recreational swimming parks, birding havens tucked amid mountain ranges, and plantations producing some of the country’s finest coffee.

The new terminal will provide docking options for medium-sized cruise ships by 2026. The $11.37 million terminal will also feature a 5,980 square meter central plaza and a gazebo area for parking cars and buses.

Plans also call for 35 commercial spaces, as well as several recreational spaces such as bars, restaurants, a church, and even areas dedicated to recreating the rum-making experience. Additional touches will include a security area lighting, restrooms, and signage.

During the event to kick off the construction, the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, expressed the importance of the success and launch of the cruise port as Barahona is relying on a boom in tourism and real estate.

Puerto Rico Celebrates a Record-Breaking 2024 & Looks Ahead to 2025 Growth

Puerto Rico’s tourism industry celebrated a record-breaking year in 2024. Fueled by innovative collaborations and strategic efforts, Puerto Rico experienced remarkable growth in air travel, lodging, and employment within the leisure and hospitality sectors.

Puerto Rico reached new heights across key tourism indicators in 2024, cementing a fourth consecutive record-breaking year, underscoring the Island’s appeal as a must-visit destination and highlighting the vital role of tourism in driving economic development:

Air Passenger Growth: Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport experienced record growth in 2024 with over 6.6 million passenger arrivals. This is over 518,000 more passengers and an 8% increase vs. 2023.

Lodging Demand: The Island saw nearly 7.3 million room nights booked, according to STR and AirDNA data, a 7% increase compared to 2023.

Job Creation: Puerto Rico achieved a record 101,700 leisure and hospitality jobs by November 2024, a 5% increase over the previous year, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Cruise Tourism Revival: Over 1.4 million cruise passengers visited San Juan Cruise Port in 2024, marking a 10% increase from 2023.

“Puerto Rico’s tourism industry has reached new heights in 2024, solidifying our position as a leading global destination,” said Leah Chandler, CMO of Discover Puerto Rico. “This milestone year reflects not just the appeal of the Island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty, but the tireless dedication of our team and partners who have embraced innovative strategies to elevate Puerto Rico’s profile. As we set our sights on 2025, we’re focused on sustaining this momentum and continuing to inspire travelers around the globe to visit our Island.”

Jamaica on Path for Growth Strategy

Jamaica earned US$4.3 billion from tourism with approximately 4.3 million visitors in 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Those numbers put it on track

to realize the destination’s 5x5x5 growth strategy of five million visitors and earnings of US$5 billion by 2025. Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett revealed the data and highlighted the strong despite the slight shortfall in arrival figures due to aviation disruptions, Hurricane Beryl and geopolitical issues such as travel advisories. With those headwinds in the rearview, the focus is on ensuring Jamaicans benefit from tourism. Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness has urged investors to provide more long-term supply contracts to

farmers and other local suppliers to the tourism sector. Holness said if investors take that route, it will build prosperity in the sector for all parties involved – and support local businesses. “We expect that our investors here will provide our farmers, in particular, with long-term supply contracts; that is critical,” he told last week’s ground-breaking ceremony for the expansion of the Grand Palladium Hotel and Resorts in Lucea, Hanover.

Of course, eyes are also on improvement, and part of that has been embracing digital technologies. Minister Bartlett urged global tourism stakeholders to do the same to boost resilience in the tourism industry. Speaking under the theme, “Building Tourism Resilience Through Digital Transformation,” Minister Bartlett made the call during his keynote address to mark the opening of the 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo, which ran from February 17-19 at the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort, Hanover – and coincided with the United Nations (UN) designated Global Tourism Resilience Day on the 17th. Minister Bartlett advocated for the use of digital technologies that enable real-time data and analytics, including monitoring travel flows, consumer trends, and potential risks, thereby allowing for proactive decisions to be made. He also cited virtual engagements and marketing as a major opportunity to provide immersive experiences that can keep destinations top-ofmind even during travel pauses, as well as smart destination management to enhance visitor experiences through digital ticketing, crowd management, and personalized itineraries that promote sustainability and authenticity. Additionally, he identified robust crisis communication as a key benefit in embracing digital technologies.

Aruba Checks in St. Regis Resort

The St. Regis Aruba Resort is now open. In addition to 252 rooms, including 52 suites, the resort on Palm Beach is home to the very first St. Regis Casino as well as a wide array of amenities – including two infinity pools with private cabanas, a fitness

center, the St. Regis Spa and a Children’s Club, and six dining venues, complete with a rooftop restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Akira Back, Caribbean-inspired Eskimo and the beachfront eatery Nuba.

Guatemala’s Tourism Renaissance

From colonial charm to luxurious modernity, Guatemala’s tourism sector is undergoing a revival, blending its rich cultural heritage with world-class hospitality. With destinations ranging from ancient Mayan ruins to vibrant highland markets, the country is attracting travelers seeking authenticity, adventure, and relaxation. Anchoring this resurgence are standout hotels like Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, Mesón Panza Verde, Good Hotel, and Westin Camino Real, each offering unique experiences that reflect Guatemala’s diverse appeal.

Port Everglades Celebrates Growth

Port Everglades is on course for a buoyant fiscal year in 2025. It celebrated double-digit growth during the first quarter (October 1 – December 31, 2024). Multiday cruise ship calls increased by 25%, with 235 calls compared to 188 calls the previous year. Calling the results a “wave of growth,” Port Everglades said that guest numbers are up by 27% to 1,349,313 guests versus 1,064,998 in the same period in FY24.

PortMiami’s 10-Ship Day

PortMiami welcomed a record-breaking 10 cruise ships, which had about 68,000 passengers expected to be onboard, docked at the seaport on Sunday, February 8. “It is no surprise PortMiami and the cruise industry continue to break records,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “PortMiami is the departure choice for all major cruise lines. As a destination, Miami-Dade is undoubtedly the center of world cruise tourism with incredible weather, culture and unlimited options for exciting experiences.”

Port of Los Angeles’ Record January

The Port of Los Angeles began 2025 by processing 924,245 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in January – the busiest start in the Port’s 117-year history and an 8% increase over last year. “This January milestone adds to a great run of strong volume, with the last seven months averaging more than 927,000 container units,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.

Carnival Gives Backstage Pass to Celebration Key

To kick off the countdown to Celebration Key’s official opening on July 19, Carnival Corporation & plc’s Chief Executive Officer Josh Weinstein and Chief Maritime Officer Lars Ljoen joined Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy for a behind the scenes look at this new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama as construction enters its final phases.

They marked milestones in construction progress across the expansive beachfront destination and highlighted Celebration Key’s sustainability commitment. In a nod to the maritime tradition of a keel laying for a new ship, they placed commemorative keys into Celebration Key’s signature 10-story Suncastle, the centerpiece of the destination’s five portals – and home to racing waterslides that are part of the portal geared toward families.

During their tour, the Carnival leaders also joined team members planting palm trees from the “Plant a Tree” community engagement program launched last year as part of a broad preservation initiative that has involved replanting thousands of native trees across the property. Duffy also participated in the ceremonial filling of one of two expansive freshwater lagoons, the largest in the Caribbean, which will be sustained by Celebration Key’s desalination system. The lagoons span over seven acres and hold about seven million gallons of water.

“Celebration Key represents a new chapter for Carnival and its construction builds on our close partnership with The Bahamas, so seeing it transform from vision to reality is incredible,” said Duffy. “We broke ground on this site less than three years ago, and now in five short months we’ll see our first guests enjoy the many experiences we created just for them to celebrate and enjoy this gorgeous place on Grand Bahama.”

About 500 workers are on site daily as construction continues round-the-clock

to prepare the destination for its summer opening, when Carnival Vista will make the inaugural call on July 19. Celebration Key will deliver Carnival’s signature brand of fun while honoring local heritage and supporting Grand Bahama through job creation and economic development – with 28 Bahamian companies having contributed to the project as of February 19.

“This destination will serve as a tribute to the rich Bahamian culture and Grand Bahama’s natural environment,” said Weinstein. “It’s clear Celebration Key will be a game-changer for our flagship brand and its loyal guests, with endless options for relaxation and recreation, but it’s also truly great to see firsthand how we’re implementing our company’s robust sustainability initiatives on land.”

Royal Caribbean’s Artist Discovery Program

More ways to bring to life the heart of the Caribbean, its people, beauty and culture are on deck. Royal Caribbean’s “Artist Discovery Program” returned to the Caribbean, calling on brilliant artists across the region to showcase their work on Star of the Seas. Set to debut in Port Canaveral in August, Star will provide a dynamic canvas for up-and-coming artists to capture and share the rich Caribbean spirit onboard with vacationers from all over the world for generations to come.

Introduced on Icon of the Seas, the program will highlight rising stars among local Caribbean artists featured in Star’s curated art collection, giving budding artists the opportunity to share their talent. The program aims to celebrate the destinations and people that make vacations with Royal Caribbean the vacation of a lifetime.

“We are excited for this next edition of The Artist Discovery Program and can’t wait to be awestruck by visionary artists across the Caribbean. Last year, our first-ever call to artists received an overwhelming response with more than 140 artists across

25 Caribbean countries submitting pieces that told a unique story and captured the allure of the region,” said Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean International. “Our goal is to connect our guests to the enduring beauty and creativity of the Caribbean, and this immersive program is a pathway to celebrating and exploring local culture while onboard the next Icon of vacations – Star of the Seas.”

The Artist Discovery Program’s next group of budding artists will be commissioned to paint large-scale murals in four highly visible locations including the Royal Promenade neighborhood. Joining a collection onboard that includes an array of pieces created by local artists and inspired by the region, each creation will invoke the vibrancy of the Caribbean.

Holland America Line’s Partnership to Help Guests Experience a Destination’s History

Holland America Line and A+E’s The HISTORY Channel™ have teamed up for a first-of-its-kind collaboration that will better allow guests to not just be told about a destination’s history, but to experience it. The exclusive partnership is set to further elevate Holland America Line cruises with custom itineraries and shore excursions operated by Holland America and curated in partnership with The HISTORY Channel, which will transport guests to ancient ruins and legendary landmarks, all while revealing the stories of the civilizations that shaped them.

“With us, history isn’t just told, it is experienced,” said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer for Holland America Line. “As two iconic brands rooted in storytelling, we are uniquely positioned to bring history to life through custom itineraries and shore excursions. This partnership further differentiates our brand and allows us to deliver to our

guests experiences that are too good to hurry through.”

Holland America Line offers thousands of shore excursions around the world, many of which focus on the history and culture of the destination. Guests can not only learn about history, but to experience it through these thoughtfully designed tours. Through the partnership with The HISTORY Channel, guests can enjoy dozens of shore excursions that take a deep dive into the location’s historical significance, visiting important sites that played a role in the background of the locale.

Holland America Line guests rate learning about destinations and visiting historic sites among the most desired travel experiences. Exclusive cruises and designated shore excursions will enable Holland America Line to meet its guests’ aspirations while further expanding its focus on authentic storytelling through the partnership with The HISTORY Channel.

Cruising’s Contribution to the U.S. Economy

The cruise industry reached record levels with 31.7 million passengers sailing, contributing $168.6 billion in total economic impact – 9% higher than the previous benchmark year of 2019.

Across the United States, cruise continues to be a major economic engine. In 2023, the global cruise industry reached record levels with 31.7 million passengers sailing, contributing $168.6 billion in total economic impact –9% higher than the previous benchmark year of 2019. According to CLIA’s recently released 2023 Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the United States report (the most recent data available) cruising generated an impressive $65.4 billion in total economic output – adding $36 billion to the nation’s GDP, supporting 290,000 jobs, and delivering $25.3 billion in wages to American workers.

The industry’s financial impact expanded significantly, with overall spending on cruising in the U.S. increasing by approximately 30%. This was primarily driven by a higher number of cruise guests compared to prior years, resulting in increased spending ashore. While cruise lines also ramped up their purchases, passenger spending in ports played a key role in fueling growth.

In 2023, there were 15.7 million cruise guests embarking from the U.S., reflecting strong demand for cruise vacations. In addition, many cruise lines operated at over 100% occupancy – occurring when third

and fourth beds in staterooms are used –demonstrating the increasing popularity of cruising for families. With ships sailing full and travelers eager to explore, the economic benefits of cruise in the U.S. benefited numerous sectors, including hospitality, transportation, retail, and entertainment.

Beyond the impressive numbers, the cruise industry remains a vital contributor to coastal and port communities nationwide. Whether through direct spending from passengers and crew or the jobs created by cruise operations and U.S. headquarters, the industry’s influence extends far beyond the ships. As more Americans choose to sail, the outlook points to even greater economic benefits in the future.

That impact extends to the travel trade as well. As of 2024, there were approximately 43,315 travel agencies in the U.S., of which 98% are small businesses. The total number of travel advisors, including fulltime, part-time, and independent contractors, is around 190,000. This community is essential to the cruise industry, as more than 70% of cruises are booked through travel advisors.

The U.S. is the largest cruise source market in the world, making up 53% of all global cruise passengers. The U.S. is also home to seven of the top twenty ports

in the world, which service cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Canada/ New England, Mexico, and West Coast itineraries. As a result, close to 50% of worldwide cruise passengers embark and disembark on their cruise from the U.S. Furthermore, Alaska is a top cruise destination and home to three of the top ten ports worldwide in terms of transit activity. In addition, several cruise companies are headquartered in Florida, California, and Washington, further contributing to economic activity and jobs in the country.

Cruising has long been a key driver of U.S. tourism, and these latest figures reinforce its role in supporting businesses, employment, and communities nationwide. With consumer intent to cruise at an alltime high, the industry’s impact remains a strong force in the American economy.

View CLIA’s full 2023 Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the United States report along with global and other regional economic impact studies at cruising.org.

Diamonds International® Sets Sail with Disney Treasure

As we step into 2025, Diamonds International® is honored to be part of the highly anticipated launch of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure . This remarkable vessel embodies sophistication, featuring world-class experiences and refined entertainment. Our esteemed partnerships bring exclusive luxury to guests, creating unforgettable moments at sea. We remain committed to excellence, offering exceptional craftsmanship and elegance onboard Disney Treasure , ensuring travelers enjoy the finest in timeless luxury.

CLIA and Mercy Ships Renew Partnership

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and international charity Mercy Ships have signed a Memorandum of Understanding recognizing their longstanding association and the support provided by cruise lines for the important work of Mercy Ships.

The signing ceremony took place March 13 during CLIA Cruise Week, a marquee industry event that brings together cruise line leaders, key stakeholders, business partners and suppliers. CLIA Cruise Week 2025 took place in Rotterdam, home to the Mercy Ships European headquarters.

“I have had the privilege to witness firsthand the dedication and care given onboard in Mercy Ships hospitals and have seen the truly lifechanging impact of their work,” said Bud Darr, President and CEO of CLIA.

“CLIA is proud to partner with an organization that brings hope and healing to communities in need,” continued Darr. “We are grateful to the talented and dedicated volunteers at Mercy Ships who provide vital – often lifesaving – services to those in need.”

Mercy Ships is a global organization of hospital ships staffed by all-volunteer crews, delivering free healthcare and medical training to some of the world’s most impoverished nations. Using state-of-the-art hospital ships,

“…truly lifechanging impact of their work.”

—Bud Darr, President & CEO, CLIA

the nonprofit transforms the lives of those they help.

More than 400 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy. Alongside the medical teams, volunteer seafarers operate the vessels.

For more than four decades, Mercy Ships has delivered free, life-saving surgery to communities with little access to safe surgical care. Created in 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 56 countries providing services to more than 2.8 million people. The charity also supports medical capacity building, facilitating access for local medical teams to skills and training courses.

Learn more about Mercy Ships at www.mercyships.org.

From left: Gert van de Weerdhof, CEO of Mercy Ships, alongside Bud Darr, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Is Your Destination Offering the Right Products and Experiences?

By Beth Kelly Hatt, Founder, Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, FCCA’s Official Training Partner

Here’s How to Know

In the cruise industry, success isn’t just about offering tours – it’s about delivering experiences that truly connect with your guests and that they can’t stop talking about. Today’s travelers expect more than a checklist of sights. They crave meaningful and immersive moments that reflect the heart of your destination and brings it to life.

That’s why staying ahead means constantly assessing, adapting and elevating what you offer. Are your experiences keeping up with guest expectations? Do they reflect your brand’s values? The key to standing out? Delivering the right experiences to the right guests every single time.

Key Challenges We’re Facing

Staying Relevant: Guest expectations shift quickly, and trends evolve just as fast. Are your experiences keeping up?

Consistency in Quality: Delivering excellence across different operators and services can be challenging. How do you ensure every experience meets the highest standards?

Sustainability: Growth and profitability matter, but so does responsible tourism. How can you expand your offerings while protecting the environment and supporting local communities?

The Solution? Continuous Improvement & Innovation

The most successful destinations never stop evolving. This doesn’t mean reinventing everything each season – it’s about refining, evaluating, enhancing and anticipating upcoming trends. Looking ahead and being proactive in product development ensures you’re ready for future demands.

A thoughtful destination assessment and product analysis can uncover your strengths, highlight growth opportunities, and pinpoint gaps in your offerings. It helps you define what sets you apart while ensuring your experiences are truly aligned with what cruise guests want.

At Aquila, we specialize in destination assessment, product analysis and experience development. With the right tools and a commitment to continuous growth, destinations can not only meet but exceed guest expectations – while ensuring tourism remains sustainable and impactful responsible tourism.

Tips for Destination Product Success

Listen to Your Guests – Always: Feedback is your most powerful tool. Use it to refine experiences, enhance quality, and develop fresh ideas that resonate and remain relevant.

Create Strong Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses and cruise industry partners to unlock your destination’s full potential. Together, you can brainstorm new, unforgettable experiences.

Think Sustainably: Guests care about their impact – so should you. Responsible tourism isn’t just a trend; it’s the key to the destinations and to the cruise industry’s future.

Stay Trend-Savvy: Keep an eye on emerging travel trends. What are cruise lines looking for? What tech innovations or personalized experiences are becoming must-haves? Stay ahead of the curve.

Get Strategic with Pricing: Price your experiences to reflect their value while staying competitive. Industry trends, guest demand, and experience quality should all play a role in your pricing strategy.

Final Thoughts

The destinations that stand out and thrive are the ones that evolve, innovate, and continuously improve. By staying proactive

and aligning your experiences with guest expectations, you’ll create products that excite travelers, boost your destination’s reputation, and ensure long-term success.

Ready to elevate your destination?

Let’s talk about how Aquila can help you refine, enhance and develop market-driven experiences that keep guests coming back for more!

Our team will be at Seatrade Global (FCCA booth) and launching the second annual Training Wave Season that will help with Developing Tour Product and Experiences.

The Proof Is in the Excellence: Testimonials

“This season holds special significance as it follows a Product Analysis conducted by Aquila…the findings from this work informed Tourism Trinidad’s efforts to enhance the cruise activity in Trinidad, ensuring that the country meets and exceeds the expectations of our valued guests!” –Carla Cupid, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Trinidad Limited

“The Product Development workshop was insightful and refreshing. Really impressed with the practical knowledge and experience given, looking forward to use this useful information…” –Anonymous

Beth Kelly Hatt is the President of the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, the FCCA’s exclusive training partner, with over 40 years in business. For more information about our programs and initiatives, reach out to Beth@CruiseExcellence.com.

Aruba Preparing for the FCCA PAMAC Destination Summit

Aruba is excitedly preparing for the PAMAC Destination Summit, which will take place in June of this year. Our team is fully engaged in the planning process, and we are all feeling “Dushi ” as we look forward to welcoming everyone to our beautiful island for this event.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Is Making Waves

The U.S. Virgin Islands is making waves in the cruise industry with record-breaking visitor numbers and exciting infrastructure enhancements. In 2024, the territory welcomed 1.77 million cruise passengers –marking a 10% increase from the previous year – with St. Croix expecting 275,000 visitors in 2025. To meet growing demand, St. Thomas’ Crown Bay is expanding with a third berth, while St. Croix’s Frederiksted Pier is undergoing upgrades to accommodate larger vessels. These improvements reinforce the USVI’s position as a premier Caribbean cruise destination.

The Soul Beach Music Festival in St. Maarten

Experience the ultimate island escape at the Soul Beach Music Festival in St. Maarten! This electrifying Memorial Day weekend

(May 21-26, 2025) fuses soulful music, top-tier comedy, and Caribbean vibes, featuring powerhouse performances by Charlie Wilson, Muni Long, and comedy icon Cedric the Entertainer. Dance under the stars, indulge in beachside parties, and enjoy world-class nightlife with celebrity DJs. Sign up for CLUB SOUL BEACH for exclusive updates at www.soulbeach.com and www.vacationstmaarten.com.

Icon of the Seas to Call Ponce, Puerto Rico

In May 2025, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will arrive in Ponce for the first of four transit visits this summer, a major landmark for Puerto Rico’s second largest city. Following a successful 2024 crew-only validation visit, the calls will represent a $1.5m economic boost to the region while attracting roughly 28,000 passengers. This helps position Ponce as an emerging destination for mega-cruises, supported by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the region’s municipalities.

ITM’s Newest Project in the Dominican Republic

Welcome to Yayá Beach and Jungle Park, ITM’s newest project in the Dominican Republic! This themed water park is a oneof-a-kind venture for the group. Located in Punta Bergantín, Puerto Plata, it will highlight the beauty of the country with three distinct areas featuring shows, attractions, a lazy river, dune rally, beach club, zip lines, and more. Get ready for the adventure – 2026 is just around the corner!

Atlantis’ Blue Project Celebrates 20 Years

Atlantis Paradise Island and the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation (ABPF) presented cruise executives with donation recognition awards at the 2025 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association PAMAC meeting. This year, the Blue Project celebrates 20 years as a nonprofit working to save sea species and their extraordinary habitats throughout The Bahamas and surrounding Caribbean Sea. Funding for ABPF is provided through Aquaventure Day Passes, Dolphin Cay Marine Experiences, and Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival event sales.

Baha Mar Resort Launches Baha Bay, a Luxury Beachfront Waterpark

Inspired by the natural beauty of The Bahamas, and developed exclusively for Baha Mar Resort, Baha Bay is a luxury beachfront waterpark offering an array of aquatic experiences. Featuring 24 water slides, a tropical action river, FlowCurl™ Surf Simulator the first ProSlide Dueling Water Coaster and FlyingSAUCER 45 in the Caribbean, luxe poolside lounge areas with full-service private cabanas, multiple food and beverage options, and the world’s first casino gaming pavilion inside a waterpark. Baha Bay Water Park recently achieved sensory-inclusive certification from KultureCity, a leading nonprofit, focused on enhancing inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with invisible disabilities.

Resorts World Bimini Cruise Port: The Bahamas’ FastestDeveloping Port

The Resorts World Bimini Cruise Port is the fastest developing and second most popular cruise port in the Bahamas, being one of three ports in the region located on a non-private island and the only one in a family island, accommodating all sizes of Cruise vessels. Cruisers can enjoy an array of Resorts World Bimini amenities, including a casino, spa, authentic island shopping at Fisherman’s Village and access to Resorts World Bimini Beach — an oceanfront day club featuring two lagoon-style pools, live entertainment, casual eats, and VIP cabana rentals.

Paddle Through Paradise: Discover Dominica’s Waitukubuli Sea Trail

Have you ever dreamt of paddling along some of the most breathtaking, untouched coastlines in the Caribbean? The Waitukubuli Sea Trail in Dominica offers this and more. ‘Waitukubuli,’ the indigenous name for Dominica, means ‘Tall is Her Body’ – a definition best experienced from the water, where the island’s majestic mountains rise dramatically from the sea. Plan your kayak adventure along the trail’s starting point when you dock in Dominica and immerse yourself in nature’s grandeur.

St. Kitts Named Caribbean Cruise Destination of the Year

St. Kitts proudly celebrates being named Caribbean Cruise Destination of the Year and Caribbean Adventure Destination of the Year at the 2025 Caribbean Travel Awards by Caribbean Journal! Feel the rush of jet skis slicing through turquoise waters or soar while parasailing, taking in rolling mountains and endless sea. Fly

above an expanding emerald rainforest on a zipline or hike to breathtaking vistas. Savor sizzling roadside fare and rich Kittitian cuisine. Walk through history at Brimstone Hill Fortress, where ocean views meet the echoes of the past. St. Kitts isn’t just a destination – it’s an experience.

St. Christopher Air and Sea Port Authority

Our cruise terminal serves as a vital gateway for cruise tourism, driving significant economic growth in the country. By welcoming thousands of passengers annually, it fosters job creation, boosts local businesses, and promotes cultural exchange. This key hub provides seamless experiences with its upgraded infrastructure that is pleasing to both our cruise lines and cruise passengers. It enhances our global tourism profile, ensuring long-term economic benefits through increased visitor spending and continued investment in infrastructure.

El Salvador Visited by The World

El Salvador was selected in 2025 as one of the destinations visited by the residential cruise The World, thanks to the natural and cultural diversity the country has to

offer. During its visit, The World residents enjoyed the beach, visited a marine biodiversity sanctuary, climbed the Santa Ana Volcano, marveled at the Archaeological Site and World Heritage Site Joya de Cerén; and walked the renewed San Salvador Historical Center.

Honduras Leading the Region’s Cruise Tourism

Honduras has positioned itself as one of the favorite destinations for those looking to merge calm with adventure. The country leads the cruise industry in the region, with a 29.4% increase in passenger arrivals in 2024. Due to this growth, the Ministry of Tourism is implementing programs that allow sustainable development, such as the Ecological Blue Flag, highlighting local communities’ efforts to keep the environment clean and healthy.

Ensenada Cruiseport Village Installs New Bollards

Ensenada Cruiseport Village has installed two new mooring bollards at one of its berthing positions, each with a 200-ton capacity, making them the highest capacity bollards at the cruise terminal. This upgrade will allow ECV to accommodate larger vessels at its facilities. We are always committed to continuous improvement to provide better service for our clients!

Port of Progreso Arrivals Surge

Cruise arrivals to Port of Progreso have surged this season, reflecting rising demand and years of promotion work for Yucatan. By the end of 2025, nearly 431,000 passengers will have visited, with 156 port calls from eight distinct cruise lines. Carnival Cruise Line, Margaritaville at Sea, and Royal Caribbean International, lead the market, representing together over 85% of total traffic. Yucatán’s appeal as a cruise destination continues to grow.

Global Cruises Launches KUZÁ: Cozumel’s Newest Theme Park

Cozumel, one of the Caribbean’s most visited ports in 2023/2024, welcomes KUZÁ, Global Cruises’ newest development and the island’s ultimate all-in-one theme park. Spanning 1,300 ft of soft sandy shores, KUZÁ offers three distinct beach ambiances alongside cultural, jungle, and aquatic adventures. Whether seeking relaxation, family fun, or cultural immersion, KUZÁ has something for every traveler. With expansions coming in 2025, including a cutting-edge waterpark and the island’s longest zipline, KUZÁ is redefining cruise excursions in Cozumel.

Mahahual Unites for Ocean Conservation

On February 18, Mahahual became the heart of a powerful conservation effort. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas crew, Maritime Procurement Services, the Mexican Ministry of the Navy, local authorities, and community members cleaned a polluted turtle nesting beach

monitored by Sandy Turtle Camp. Through an engaging program, 360 students were inspired, strengthening community bonds. A total of 850 kg of waste was collected –175 kg is set for upcycling by Tide.

Costamed Medical Group, Trusted Healthcare in Cozumel and Mahahual

Costamed Medical Group, your trusted healthcare provider in Cozumel and Mahahual, offers exceptional medical services to all seafarers sailing paradise. Celebrating the first anniversary of Cozumel’s only blood bank, Costamed enhances emergency preparedness and critical care. Accredited by the Joint Commission International, we guarantee world-class standards, providing reliable support for medical emergencies and scheduled treatments. With state-ofthe-art facilities and a strategic location, Costamed is a key healthcare partner for the cruise industry.

Amerimed’s Commitment to Wide-Ranging Healthcare Services

Amerimed Hospitals is committed to offering wide-ranging healthcare services in the most important destina-

tions in the Mexican Caribbean. This commitment extends to the delivery of mental healthcare services, and we are proud to announce the expansion of our clinical capabilities in our Cozumel hospital with a new psychiatry unit capable of managing even the most challenging cases in a dedicated inpatient setting under a licensed psychiatrist’s oversight and 1:1 nursing. Please visit www.amerimedhospitals.com for more information.

Café Azul’s Commitment to Personal Service

At Café Azul, we take pride in delivering not just premium products, but also a commitment to personal service. Our founder and CEO, Eduardo González, leads by example, personally overseeing deliveries at the Port of New Orleans to ensure excellence at every step. Pictured with port manager Elizabeth Barnes, Eduardo embodies our handson approach. With dedicated oversight at every delivery, Café Azul guarantees top-tier service, reinforcing trust and quality in every shipment.

Port Everglades Expects Busy Summer Season

Port Everglades is on course for a buoyant summer sailing season with five cruise ships scheduled to visit the South Florida turnaround port. Beginning in May, Port Everglades will welcome Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection , Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream , Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess, and Royal Caribbean International’s Jewel of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas. These sailings will contribute to the port’s anticipated record 4.4 million cruise guests during this fiscal year.

PortMiami Sets Record with 10 Cruise Ships in One Day

PortMiami, the Cruise Capital of the World®, welcomed a record-breaking 10 cruise ships on February 8, 2025. The 10 cruise ships were: Carnival Magic, Carnival Sunrise, Holland America Zaandam, MSC Seascape, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Oceania Cruises Sirena, Royal Caribbean International Icon of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, and Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady. More than 64,000 passengers were onboard the cruise ships.

Strong Outlook for Jacksonville Cruise Market This Spring

Jacksonville’s cruise business remains strong as the warm weather season approaches. The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) set a cruise passenger record in 2024 with more than 206,000 passengers, demonstrating the strength of this cruise market. JAXPORT’s homeported cruise ship, the 2,697-passenger Carnival Elation , offers year-round sailing to The Bahamas

from JAXPORT’s North Jacksonville Cruise Terminal. More than 3 million passengers have sailed from Jacksonville during 20 years of Carnival cruise service at JAXPORT.

Port Tampa Bay Continues Growth

Port Tampa Bay continues to experience growth of its cruise business and is expected to welcome over 1.6 million passengers for the 2025 season. This includes eight homeported vessels, including three from Royal Caribbean, two from Carnival, and one each from Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and newcomer Margaritaville at Sea. Plus, luxury brands Regent of the Seven Seas and Oceania will soon join the mix. Our port serves as a gateway to exploring the Caribbean and offers walkable attractions and secure parking from our terminals.

Port Canaveral, World’s Second-Busiest Cruise Port

A five-time winner of Cruise Hive’s “Best U.S. Cruise Homeport,” Port Canaveral is the world’s second busiest cruise port hosting seven distinct cruise lines operating some of the largest and most advanced ships in cruising. A world-class gateway to The Bahamas, Mexico, the Caribbean and other destinations, Port Canaveral is committed to providing a high-quality experience for cruisers both before and after their cruise. With its easy-in, easy-out access, modern facilities, ample parking, and a relaxed beachside vibe, the port is a favorite with families who enjoy stress-free arrivals and departures. All this, combined with friendly and attentive service from a dedicated team of cruise-focused staff, has enabled Port Canaveral to maintain its leadership position in the cruise industry.

Port of Baltimore Extends Contract with Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line will be serving the Port of Baltimore for another five years after the two sides agreed to a new contract that also includes a five-year renewal option. The announcement was made following a celebration recognizing 20 years of Carnival service in Baltimore. “The international cruise industry recognizes Baltimore as one of the top cruise markets in our nation. We are delighted to have Carnival Cruise Line continue serving Maryland for another five years,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

Welcome to West Harbor, Port of Los Angeles’ Waterfront Project

West Harbor, a mile-long development along the Port of Los Angeles’ LA Waterfront in San Pedro, California, has just received $61.5 million in refinancing for the completion of the project. A phased opening will begin in late 2025, with more than 80% of the space pre-leased. West Harbor aspires to be LA’s premier waterfront dining, retail, recreation and entertainment destination, with a vibrant public promenade, a waterside Ferris wheel and a proposed 6,200-seat amphitheater.

Norfolk and Carnival Enhance Partnership

Carnival Cruise Line has begun year-round home port operations from the City of Norfolk, Virginia. The Carnival Sunshine will sail out of Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center which has just completed $ 12m in upgrades to the terminal. Carnival & Norfolk are celebrating 23 years of partnership. MAC Maritime is proud to serve as Cruise Consultant to the City of Norfolk since 2017.

Port of Galveston’s Fourth Cruise Terminal on Track

The Port of Galveston’s fourth cruise terminal is on track to open this fall to homeport MSC and Norwegian cruise lines. The terminal will open with MSC Seascape sailing on Nov. 9. Galveston, the fourth most popular cruise port in the U.S., is on track to reach a record 3.6 million passenger movements in 2025. Itineraries on more than 400 sailings this year will include the Western Caribbean and beyond.

Aquila’s Training Wave Season is Back

Get ready! After last year’s success with hundreds of participants worldwide, the second annual Training Wave Season is launching soon. This FCCA-member exclusive series offers expert-led webinars to elevate destination success. Stay tuned for the big announcement at Seatrade Global—don’t miss this wave of opportunity! Follow Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence for updates!

Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 Conference Program

Seatrade Cruise Global is opening the doors to its 40th anniversary edition, bringing together the global cruise community for a milestone event from April 7-10 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Join the electrifying Seatrade Cruise Global State of the Global Cruise Industry Keynote on Tuesday, April 8 from 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Sponsored by Hong Kong Tourism Board). Anchored to the theme of Milestones, the conference program covers the full spectrum of the cruise experience, offering insights into the latest developments and the future of the industry. In addition to the main sessions, the agenda will feature specialized programs including Tomorrow’s Talent Today, The Retail Days, and Tech Day, all designed to provide in-depth knowledge and networking opportunities for professionals across various sectors of the cruise industry.

One happy island