FLORIDA- CARIBBEAN Caribbean Cruising CRUISE THE FLORIDA-CARIBBEAN CRUISE ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION First Quarter 2006 EXECUTIVE FEATURES COMMITTEE FCCAMicky Chairman, Arison Chairman & CEO 7 The 2006 Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Carnival Corporation Council Cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, Fantasy PresidentThomas M. McAlpin 17 Strong Cruise-Caribbean Partnership - A Key Factor in Disney Cruise Line Industry’s Growth PresidentRichard &E. CEO Sasso MSC Cruises (USA) Inc. 21 FCCA Member Cruise Lines... Creating Strong Bonds with Industry Partners Meet and develop relationships with dozens of cruise executives at the FCCA Cruise PrColinesident V eitch& CEO Norwegian Cruise Line Conference to be held in the Cayman Islands, October 31-November 3, 2006. VStephenice President, A. Nielsen 25 FCCA Holiday Gift Project Caribbean & Atlantic Shore Operations The FCCA Foundation for the Caribbean making dreams come true for more than 6,000 Princess Cruises/Cunard Line children in 27 destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America. PresidentAdam Goldstein Royal Caribbean International 33 Princess for a Day Auction Raises $70,000 for the FCCA FCCA STAff Foundation for the Caribbean PrMicheleesident M. Paige 38 Grenada’s Cruise Tourism Industry Positioned to be More Competitive GraphicOmari DesignerBreakenridge & Technical Coordinator 42 Moving Forward - Destination Challenges Facing the Terri Cannici Director,Terri Cannici Special Events Cruise Industry Today and Tomorrow VAdamice President Ceserano Happenings Departments DirVictoriaector, Pub S.lic Lalta Relations & Membership Platinum Highlights President’s Letter Programs 11 05 New Ship Builds New Ship Profile 14 49 Laura Mori 49 ResearchLaura Mori Analyst FCCA Upcoming Events Faces in the Industry 47 50 ExecutiveMonica AssistantRojas Around The Caribbean 52 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) FCCA Member Lines 11200 Pines Blvd., Suite 201 Carnival Cruise Lines • Celebrity Cruises • Costa Cruise Lines • Cunard Line Pembroke Pines, FL 33026 Phone: (954) 441-8881 • Fax: (954) 441-3171 Disney Cruise Line • Holland America Line • MSC Cruises (USA) Inc. Website: www.f-cca.com • E-mail: [email protected] Norwegian Cruise Line • Princess Cruises • Radisson Seven Seas Cruises Caribbean Cruising © 2006 ~ All Rights Reserved. Royal Caribbean International • Windstar Cruises First Quarter 2006 o Caribbean Cruising 1 www.f-cca.com “Kingstown Cruise Terminal • St. Vincent & the Grenadines” President’s Letter Service "The high road to service is traveled with integrity, compassion and understanding... people don't care how much we know until they know how much we care." In 2005, the cruise industry continued its steady growth pattern as approx- imately 11.2 million passengers cruised, a 6.9% increase over 2004. The cruise industry is the most exciting growth category in the entire leisure market; overall the industry has had a compounded annual growth rate of 8.1% per year since 1980. It is projected that the cruise industry will con- Michele with Gordon Buck, Vice tinue its unprecedented growth in 2006 with 11.7 million passengers tak- President, Port Operations - Carnival ing a cruise. Cruise Lines at the 2006 FCCA Platinum Advisory Council Cruise. Clearly the cruise lines are doing something right...they provide a high quality product at an affordable price, and maintain consistently high service standards. I believe that the ser- vice levels maintained on cruise ships, along with the diversity of the products and services they offer, are the foremost reasons that the cruise industry has been able to grow at such a remarkably steady pace. Today, however, there is more competition than ever before for tourist dollars. How will your company, orga- nization or country be able to compete in this continuously growing and changing tourism industry? Service - it is the key to the cruise line's success, and ours...and yours! As we look forward to 2006 and beyond, the Member Lines of the FCCA encourage you to join us as we take the high road in our efforts to take care of our mutual customers... with integrity, compassion and understanding. This issue of Caribbean Cruising contains a recap of our recent Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' Fantasy, and the annual FCCA Holiday Gift Project. We also have the President/CEO of CLIA Terry Dale, share info on the industry’s growth, also an overview of challenges fac- ing the destinations and cruise industry, and a profile on Grenada’s Cruise Tourism Industry. The Member Lines of the FCCA wish you all a very happy and prosperous year... see you all at the FCCA Foundation Gala Dinner in Miami, Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Service is not a department... it is an attitude! Respectfully yours, St. Vincent’s Kingstown Cruise Terminal is Beyond the terminal building is a pick up/set 5.6 meters in drafr. The terminal has its the Caribbean’s newest destination. down area for 50 taxis/minibusses as well as own purpose-built landing stage for Managed Jointly by the St. Vincent & the parking for tourist busses. cruise passengers arriving by tender Grenadines Port Authority and the private The cruise terminal has two berths: from a ship at anchor. sector, the purpose-built terminal contains a N The North Berth accommodates cruise full range of services including Customs and ships up to 260 meters in length Upper Bay St. Immigration, a tourist information office, no overall and 70,000 gross registered tons Box 1237, Kingstown Michele M. Paige fewer than 26 shops and retail outlets, a with a maximum draft of 9.75 meters Tel.: 784-456-1830 Fax: 784-456-2732 terrace café, rest rooms, post office, and N The South Berth is for smaller vessels E-mail: [email protected] telephone and fax facilities. up to 100 meters in length 4,500 grt and First Quarter 2006 o Caribbean Cruising 5 he 2006 Platinum Cruise per- exploration. Not only did it serve as a on the FCCA Platinum Cruise pro- sonified harmony and balance. history lesson and point of interest, it vided me the opportunity to discuss It permitted the collaboration proved that failure is inevitable; entertainment trends with others in Tof work and play. It allowed execu- learning from the errors and rebound- the cruise industry. I also had the tives and Platinum Members, each ing marks true accomplishment. chance to meet shore excursion rep- representing different parts of the resentatives who discussed port globe and alternate aspects of the The tour served as a harbinger, indi- planning and alternative destina- industry, to share ideas. Many of the cating an imminent triumphant tions. Most importantly, I was members arrived on Wednesday, cruise. Not only did the tour bus delighted to have the chance to meet January 25. They were lodged at the bring everyone to the space center, it FCCA Platinum Members, some of lavish Courtyard Marriott and wel- provided transportation to the port. which I would have probably never comed by the FCCA, other execu- After boarding Carnival's Fantasy, met otherwise.” tives, food, and an open bar. everyone was allotted some free time to explore the ship, unpack, enjoy Friday would be an eventful day, so a The truly unique characteristic about more food, or anything else that good deal of the members went to this event is the ability to bring people would provide fun for them- sleep early while others took it upon of true importance on board with you: Carnival's specialty. themselves to discover why Carnival friends and family. In addition to holds the "Fun Ship" title. The first allowing others to enjoy the event, it The first get together was informal meeting was held early in the morn- makes the occasion more memorable. and held before dinner, allowing ing in effort to permit a long day in Most parents know that a lot of net- everyone to catch up and discuss Nassau. Leon Maisel, Mobile Bay working is done through their chil- important or trivial matters. It was Convention and Visitors Bureau, tells dren, which proved to be a beneficial conveniently held in the lounge of some of the benefits these meetings experience for both parties. directly above the dining room. provide, "The meeting afforded our Dinner continued the theme of con- destination an opportunity to hear Before boarding, everyone received a versation. The communication was first hand comments about our cruise special treat: a tour of the Kennedy vital throughout the cruise during all business from the cruise executives Space Center arranged by Port the events, fun or work related. Jim themselves. The cruise-conference Canaveral. Executives, Platinum Urry, Director of Entertainment - model creates an atmosphere that gar- Members, friends, and family all Disney Cruise Line tells of some of ners candor as well as a sincere inter- enjoyed recounting our past success the communicative advantages he change between cruise partners and and failure through the years of space had because of the event, “Sailing ourselves." First Quarter 2006 o Caribbean Cruising 7 www.f-cca.com www.f-cca.com Platinum event Cocktail party The Platinum event is a great time for Platinum Members receive 5 year Platinum Members enjoy boat ride tour Platinum members and executives FCCA Delegates with Mayor of Cozumel, aboard the Carnival Fantasy. partners to meet. Anniversary Pins. to Blackbeard’s Key. enjoy sometime together during dinner. Gustavo Ortega Joaquin (Center). The setting is frequently an important Stingray City, a glass bottom boat see old friends and also meet new importance is that everyone left with factor, and Roger Blum, Vice ride, an action packed speed boat ones. We had the opportunity in the something worthwhile. “This was my President, Cruise Programming - ride, and a serene dolphin encounter. Advisory Council meeting to discuss first FCCA cruise, and it truly Carnival Cruise Lines, expounds on and overview upcoming events. I exceeded my expectations.