FCCA Platinum Member Highlights

THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS EXPERIENCES STRONG RECOVERY OF CRUISE TOURISM BUSINESS BARBADOS CELEBRATES ANOTHER RECORD YEAR PURE GRENADA ATTRACTS INCREASED ATTENTION FROM CRUISE LUXURY BRANDS

The Department of Tourism reported that as of January, calls to St. Thomas were approaching pre-storm levels, while business to St. Croix was buoyed by various cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line. Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty credits the FCCA and its Member Lines for assisting the destination with its recovery, including Royal Caribbean International investing significant resources in the restoration and reopening of Magens Bay on St. Thomas.

PORT ST. MAARTEN KICKS OFF 2018 ON A HIGH NOTE

The New Year started with a bang on January 2 nd when approximately 12,000 cruise passengers disembarked for a fun day of tours, shopping, excursions and other sea-side activities on the “Friendly Island.” For more information about the destination, visit: www.portstmaarten.com

GUADELOUPE’S BEST SEASON SINCE 1999

The 2017-2018 cruise seasons was Guadeloupe’s best since 1999, with 300 calls throughout the destination’s five ports and anchorage options from October 2017 to April 2018. In total, Guadeloupe welcomed 450,000 cruise passengers during the season, mostly coming from Germany, Italy and France.

2018 presented another record year for the cruise industry in Barbados, with an estimated 825,000 passenger arrivals. Tourism officials welcomed its 812, 864 th passenger on December 29 th . The momentous achievement blew the previously set record out of the water. Documented almost 13 years ago, the previous record was 812,863 passengers.

BELIZE REGISTERS RECORD TOURISM ARRIVALS

Belize registered a record breaking 427,109 overnight visitors in 2017, representing a 10.8 percent increase over 2016. Cruise ship arrivals also experienced overall growth of 0.9 percent last year. These increases reaffirm Belize as a growing, viable and must-visit destination in Central America and the Caribbean.

CURAÇAO’S NEW SECOND MEGA PIER, “TULA,” OPERATIONAL

On November 13, 2017, the first cruise ship moored at the new mega pier Tula. Now, the Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) will continue to enhance logistics & reception area and construct additional dolphins, which will make it possible to accommodate the largest vessels in the cruise market.

Pure Grenada’s winter 2017-2018 season welcomed 11 inaugural ship calls. New calls included a visit from Celebrity Silhouette and MSC Fantasia. Other inaugural calls were received from Hapag-Lloyd’s MS Europa 2, Viking Sea, Marella Discovery 2, MV Columbus, and Silver Muse. Island Princess, Magellan, Norwegian Pearl & Viking Sky are also scheduled to visit.

DOMINICA READY FOR

CRUISE BUSINESS!

Dominica’s rebuilding has progressed significantly. The destination welcomed its first call, the SY Sea Cloud on December 28, 2017 and resulting from a TUI Cruises ShorEx FAM visit, Mein Schiff 3 called on January 28, 2018. The Nature Island is reviving and ready to welcome you!

MORE CALLS TO HUTCHISON PORTS ECV

Ensenada Cruiseport Village received 3.5 percent more cruise ship arrivals from 2016 to 2017. This is the result of new tours offered last year, where the passengers enjoyed new experiences, such as beach escapes, Mexican traditions and the Kumiai native reserve tour. Find out more at hutchisonportseit.com

MEMBERS OF THE SEA OF CORTEZ ROUTE FORMING MOU

Sonora is working with the states of Sinaloa and Baja California Sur on an MOU to establish a cooperative and collaborative

initiative to promote the Sea of Cortez Route with Puerto Peñasco as a homeport. The proposed routes will include the ports of Puerto Peñasco, Guaymas, Mazatlán, Topolobampo, Los Cabos, La Paz, Loreto.

LISBON CRUISE PORT SEES SIGNIFICANT BOOST AFTER OPENING NEW TERMINAL

Lisbon Cruise Port received a significant boost with the opening of its new, stateof-the-art terminal in November 2017. Following a EUR24 million investment and two-year construction, the terminal building won a number of awards. Global Ports Holding—which built and operates Lisbon Cruise Port—has worked closely with the Portuguese authorities and local partners throughout the development.

PORT SAINT JOHN CELEBRATES 30th ANNIVERSARY AND THIRD YEAR OF CONSECUTIVE GROWTH

Port Saint John on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick is celebrating its 30 th year as a port of call on the Canada-New England itinerary in 2018. The future continues to be bright for cruise in Saint John. with a third consecutive year of growth forecasted this year.

FMT DELIVERING EIGHT NEW PASSENGER GANGWAYS

FMT is underway to deliver eight new Passenger Gangway Systems to Port Everglades and PortMiami during 2018. Port Everglades will receive 2 gangways each for CT 18 and CT 25. Port Miami will receive 2 gangways each for CT E and CT A, which is Royal Caribbean’s new cruise terminal development.

RETAILER LAUNCHING MAJOR BRANDS ON NEW SHIPS

Several brands are debuting with Starboard Cruise Services: the company’s first Victoria’s Secret, on Carnival Horizon, which also features a Michael Kors boutique and carries Kate Spade. They follow two other recent firsts for Starboard on Dream Cruises’ World Dream: Dior’s first boutique at sea and the first Tiffany & Co. Asia boutique at sea.

TOROVERDE PUERTO RICO ADVENTURE PARK READY TO WELCOME YOU

With its majestic flora and incredible attractions, ToroVerde Adventure Park is ready for its come back. Reopening in March, you can again enjoy the breathtaking, new attractions of Puerto Rico, like the incomparable The Monster—the longest zip line in the Caribbean. ToroVerde Puerto Rico is pure adrenaline!

PUERTO RICO’S ECOQUEST ZIP LINES OPEN FOR BUSINESS—AND FUN

Ecoquest is glad to announce that we are OPEN. Our zip lines have been meticulously inspected and recertified to ensure that we offer the safest experience to our guests. Help support the economy in Puerto Rico, and help us get back on our feet after the path of recent hurricanes.

GRAND BAHAMA LAUNCHES NEW ATTRACTION

The official opening of Pirate’s Cove Zipline and Water Park took place

February 3, 2018 at Taino Beach West on Grand Bahama. The celebrations included the official Zip, a Kids Corner, a Bahamian concert, Junkanoo and fireworks.

MARGARITAVILLE CARIBBEAN, JAMAICA AWARDED WTA’S “CARIBBEAN’S LEADING ENTERTAINMENT VENUE”

Margaritaville Caribbean, Jamaica is the “Caribbean’s Leading Entertainment Venue of 2017,” says the World Travel Awards (WTA). WTA celebrates excellence in all sectors of the tourism industry. Margaritaville Caribbean owns and operates a diverse portfolio of restaurants, nightclubs and tours in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas and Turks and Caicos.

MARTINIQUE HOSTING

WORLD SURF LEAGUE

Martinique is hosting the only Caribbean competition of the World Surf League from March 17-24. This year marks the fourth edition of Martinique Surf Pro, an international rendezvous, happening during the World Qualifying Series before the Championship Tour.

PPI GROUP EXPANDS ITS DIGITAL SECTOR

With cruise and travel tourism growing at a rapid rate, PPI Group has positioned itself as the leading agency for cruise and travel businesses seeking to expand into the digital marketing sphere. Boasting innovative technology in advertising, a collection of digital services, and numerous publishing and media platforms, PPI Group offers a custom approach to digital advertising. ppigroup.com/ppidigital