The 31st Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference & Trade Show concluded in San Juan, Puerto Rico last week, following a week of high-level discussions, productive one-on-one meetings, and renewed commitment to advancing the cruise industry through collaboration, innovation and sustainable development.
Hosted in partnership with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the event attracted senior cruise executives, government ministers and directors of tourism, and tourism stakeholders — including FCCA Presidential Partners and Platinum Members from across the Caribbean, Latin America and further afield. At the opening, FCCA Chief Executive Officer Michele Paige reaffirmed the Association’s core mission of partnership and collaboration.
Reflecting on the vision of FCCA Chair Micky Arison, she reminded delegates that destinations can only fully benefit from the economic potential of the cruise industry when they understand it. “That began the foundation of why we get together — to communicate, collaborate (and) be partners,” Paige said.
Emphasizing unity, she added that more than 100 cruise executives had assembled for the conference to engage directly with destination stakeholders, answer questions, and help them reach their goals: “We are your partners; we want everyone here to succeed.” Puerto Rico Tourism Company Executive Director Willianette Robles welcomed delegates to San Juan, “the cruise capital of the Eastern Caribbean,” highlighting a historic milestone as the island expects to receive a record 1.9 million cruise passengers this season.
She noted that Puerto Rico is “not just welcoming ships — we are building the future of Caribbean cruising” through major investments in infrastructure, technology and workforce development.
