A packed house at the Puerto Rico Convention Center as the opening got underway last week.
SAN JUAN--The 31st Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference & Trade Show concluded in San Juan last week, marking another milestone in the region’s cruise industry. The four-day event – hosted by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company – brought together cruise executives, government officials, tourism leaders, and regional stakeholders.
FCCA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michele Paige opened the week-long conference by reaffirming the Association’s core mission of partnership. “Destinations only benefit from the full economic potential of cruising when they understand the industry,” Paige said, stressing that more than 100 cruise executives attended to connect directly with Caribbean partners. “We are your partners – we want everyone here to succeed,” she added.
Puerto Rico Tourism Company Executive Director Willianette Robles welcomed delegates to what she called “the cruise capital of the Eastern Caribbean,” noting the island expects a record 1.9 million cruise visitors this season. Governor Jenniffer González-Colón echoed that sentiment, emphasising the government’s continued investment in port modernisation and efforts to expand cruise activity beyond San Juan.
In his state of the industry address, Carnival Corporation President and CEO Josh Weinstein projected record global growth, with 37.7 million passengers expected this year – a 27% increase over pre-pandemic levels. “Nowhere is the appetite for cruise travel greater than in the Caribbean and Latin America,” Weinstein said, highlighting the region’s unmatched diversity and proximity as key competitive strengths.
Panel discussions and workshops explored critical topics, from sustainability and homeporting to digital transformation and crisis management. A standout session, “The Rise of Homeporting for the Caribbean,” featured experts from Port St. Maarten, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean discussing how new infrastructure and partnerships are boosting regional competitiveness.
Industry leaders, including Weinstein, Royal Caribbean’s Michael Bayley, Princess Cruises’ Gus Antorcha, Carnival Cruise Line’s Christine Duffy, and Disney Signature Experiences’ Joe Schott, participated in the CEO Spotlight and Presidential Panels. They emphasised the need for transparent partnerships, destination branding, and authentic visitor experiences.
A highlight came from Beverly Nicholson-Doty of Figment Design, who urged destinations to build “purpose-driven resilience,” noting that “true resilience isn’t reactionary – it’s strategic.”
As the event closed, attendees echoed a shared message: the cruise industry’s strength lies in unity, innovation, and people. Summing up the spirit of the week, Aquila’s Ambra Attus said, “When one of us thrives, the whole industry thrives.”
For more information on the FCCA, visit www.F-CCA.com or follow @FCCAupdates on social media.
