Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association names Arison chairman, adds four new member lines

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association has announced that Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman, has been named chairman of the FCCA Executive Committee. Arison takes over from Kevin Sheehan, past president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd., who served as FCCA Chairman for the last five years and proved crucial to growing the FCCA Platinum Membership program and developing relationships with destinations.

Sheehan resigned from his position at Norwgian earlier this month, and was replaced by Frank Del Rio, CEO of Prestige Cruises International Inc.

Arison grew up in the cruise business, and has become one of the loeading figures in the industry over the last three decades. Carnival Corporation & plc board of directors named him chairman and CEO in 1990.

“Micky’s appointment further paves the path for the Executive Committee’s future,” said Michele Paige, FCCA president. “He served as chairman for 10 years and knows the importance of keeping a constant dialogue between the cruise lines and destinations to achieve mutually beneficial arrangements. His wealth of knowledge about the industry and destinations will lead the way to successful operations for both.”

The FCCA also recently announced the addition of four new member lines: Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd); and Croiseres de France, and Pullmantur, (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd brands), for a total of 19 member lines.

“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. Plus 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.

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