PRESIDENT’S LETTER: FCCA
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Micky Arison FCCA CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN CARNIVAL CORPORATION Michael Bayley PRESIDENT & CEO ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL Thomas Mazloum PRESIDENT DISNEY SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES Richard E. Sasso CHAIRMAN MSC CRUISES (USA) INC. Frank J. Del Rio PRESIDENT & CEO NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.
FCCA STAFF Michele M. Paige PRESIDENT Adam Ceserano SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Terri Cannici VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Omari Breakenridge DIRECTOR, DIGITAL STRATEGY & CREATIVE SERVICES Mario Aguirre DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP EVENTS & PROGRAMS Justin Paige DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS & STRATEGIC MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS Bruna Milazzotto MANAGER, RESEARCH & DATA Jessica Lalama EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Cruising has officially resumed to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Mexico. While it may not be quite business as normal during these initial phases, the ‘new normal’ has already proven to present opportunities for our partners, with more homeporting already happening in the region, as well as the possibility of more ships, longer stays and multi-port calls. Plus, we continue to see evidence of pent-up demand with record booking, and we along with our Member Lines have kept working even during the pause on initiatives such as focusing on ways to improve mutual benefits for destinations and stakeholders, including increasing employment opportunities, and reworking our live events. The theme of partnership has also been displayed in every meeting we have held with both our destination partners and Member Lines, and if any silver lining can Michele meeting with the Hon. Andrew Fahie, Premier & Minister of Tourism of British be seen in this fog, that partnership Virgin Islands itself has certainly been a highlight and proven that you truly know who your friends are when experiencing hardships – and our friends throughout our partner destinations have gone above and beyond to assist cruise’s return however they can, from developing health and safety protocols to even establishing vaccination programs for crew members. Some of these developments in and involvement from the cruise community at large follow in this issue, including Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, discussing some of the new employment opportunities for our partner destinations; Arnold Donald, President and CEO of Carnival Corporation, giving an update for FCCA Platinum Members; and details of our renewed live events. We must all remember that normality will return eventually, and in the meantime remain fixed on our long-term plans – and this is perhaps also why our retooled FCCA Cruise Conference, with a new format focused on one-on-one meetings, takes on increased significance, especially after our return of live events from PortMiami that brought together stakeholders with more than 40 cruise executives, including nine Presidents, CEOs and/or Chairmen. We look forward to moving full steam ahead and helping our partners seize these new opportunities – and to seeing you in Panama from October 18-21.
Michele M. Paige President FCCA
Vanessa Gutierrez MEMBERSHIP ADMINISTRATOR
SECOND QUARTER 2021 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 7
