Four More Cruise Lines Join FCCA

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has added four cruise lines as its members bringing the total to 19 member lines.

Namely, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, brands of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and Croiseres de France and Pullmantur, brands of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., joined the FCCA.

“The increase in Member Lines is significant for the growth of the FCCA and the Caribbean and Latin American regions,” said Michele Paige, President of the FCCA. “It represents not just the cruise lines’ commitment to the FCCA, but also their future outlook for this crucial market.”

Data from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) showed the market’s importance, as the Caribbean reigned as the dominant cruise region in 2014, accounting for over 37 percent of global deployment—an increase over its leading 34 percent share in 2013.

Recent cruise line infrastructure investments, such as Norwegian’s Harvest Caye in Belize and Carnival’s Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Mahogany Bay in Roatan, proved the industry’s intent for future business in the Caribbean and Latin America, according to the FCCA.

“The Caribbean and Latin America have proven their worth to the industry, but we need to continually build on that success,” said Micky Arison, Chairman of Carnival Corporation & plc and the FCCA.

“Just as our ships and brands innovate, destinations must constantly refresh products to attract new and repeat passengers and compete with global markets. Working with the FCCA is one of the best ways for destinations to stay ahead of the curve.”

The FCCA helps destinations and stakeholders with this by developing partnerships and working with them to learn about their individual issues and goals.

It then utilizes its knowledge of the industry, along with its member line contacts, to tailor an action plan that optimizes the destination’s or stakeholder’s cruise tourism impact.