April 7, 2025

Seatrade opens in Miami

Seatrade delegates in Miami last year

Seatrade Cruise Global officially kicks off its 40th anniversary celebrations today at the Miami Beach Convention Center, welcoming cruise executives, stakeholders, and industry professionals from around the world. Running from April 7–10, the event highlights emerging trends, innovation and collaboration across the global cruise sector.

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is marking the occasion with a full slate of events, including Sunday’s welcome gathering sponsored by the U.S. Virgin Islands. The event was held at FCCA Headquarters in Miramar.

On Tuesday, the FCCA President’s Reception will take place at Booth 1841, followed by the FCCA Foundation “Shining Stars” Dinner sponsored by Diamonds International. The week continues with Wednesday’s Platinum Member Reception, also at Booth 1841.

As Seatrade Cruise Global celebrates four decades of growth and transformation, the spotlight remains firmly on the future of cruising and the partnerships shaping its next chapter.

FCCA and USVI explore Caribbean cruise future

Marie McKenzie, Chair of the FCCA Operations Committee and Senior Vice President of Government & Destination Affairs at Carnival Corporation & plc, will engage in a one-on-one conversation with Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands, today at Seatrade Cruise Global. 

The session takes place from 11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Sunset Vista Ballroom at the Miami Beach Convention Center, and will explore the future of Caribbean cruising, with a focus on enhancing the destination experience and strengthening partnerships to drive economic growth for ports and destinations across the region.

CTO joins global cruise leaders at Seatrade

Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, will join an international lineup of industry leaders at the World Cruise Tourism Summit during Seatrade Cruise Global today at noon in the Sunset Vista Ballroom at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

As part of the “State of the Cruise Industry – Regional Updates from Around the World”, Regis-Prosper will spotlight the Caribbean’s evolving cruise sector, innovative itineraries, and how the region is embracing sustainability and enhancing guest experiences in 2025 and beyond.

The session, moderated by Ioannis Bras, CEO of Five Senses Consulting & Development, will feature expert insights from Mashhoor Baeshen(Cruise Saudi), Haitham Rashid (DCT Abu Dhabi), Theodora Riga(MedCruise/Corfu Port Authority), and Simone Tommaso Maraschi(Cruise Europe).

Allen Chastanet, Giora Israel bring cruise tourism insights to Cayman

Left: Giora Israel with Monique Hamaty-Simmonds of ACT Right: Allen Chastanet with Tammi Sulliman of Compass TV

Last week, the Cayman Islands welcomed two globally respected voices in tourism – Allen Chastanet, Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister of St. Lucia, and Giora Israel, a pioneer of the modern cruise industry with over five decades of experience. Their visit, facilitated by The Association for Cruise Tourism in the Cayman Islands (ACT), brought valuable insight to the ongoing dialogue about the future of cruise tourism and cruise berthing infrastructure in Cayman. At a press conference held Thursday at the Grand Cayman Marriott, Israel emphasized the rapidly changing cruise landscape. With mega ships now dominating the market, he cautioned that these vessels no longer tender – not in Cayman, Belize nor even parts of Europe – due to operational limitations and cruise line policies. Without the development of modern piers, Israel warned Cayman risks losing hundreds of thousands of cruise visitors in the coming years, along with the associated jobs and economic benefits. He also highlighted environmentally responsible pier construction methods and referenced several Caribbean destinations where marine ecosystems have flourished around pylon-based piers. On Tuesday, Chastanet delivered a powerful message about the intersection of tourism and economics. He praised Cayman for its achievements and urged decision-makers to remain evidence-based in shaping the country’s future. He reminded audiences that tourism is not driven by emotion, but by economics. The experts appeared across multiple media platforms, including Compass TV, Radio Cayman, and BOBO 103.1 FM, reinforcing a clear message: for Cayman to remain competitive and protect its premium tourism brand, investment in smart infrastructure is essential.  The conversations were further elevated by the participation of ACT’s Executive Program Manager Ellio Solomon and Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands Kenneth Bryan, whose presence underscored the urgency and significance of the discussion. As the global cruise industry continues to shift toward larger, more advanced ships, Caymanians will have a crucial decision to make during the April 30 referendum and general elections: whether to evolve with the industry or risk falling behind.

Quotable Caribbean

“This crisis, my friends will impact not only goods, but it may also have a large spill-over effect on tourism. We suggest that the region takes steps to sustain (the) tourism industry as likely worsening conditions in many of our source markets will have negative impacts on people’s ability to travel. We call on our regional private sector and the tourism sector to come together and to work with governments to collaborate for an immediate tourism strategy to ensure that we maintain market share numbers as a region.” – Mia Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados; Chairman, CARICOM

Proverbially West Indian

“Day does run ’til night catch it.” (Barbados)

Often used in the context of accountability, this proverb reflects the belief that time reveals all – whether it’s in personal choices, leadership or business. It encourages integrity and foresight, reminding us that while we may move through the day with ease, nightfall inevitably brings reflection, consequences or clarity.

Medical Moment

World Day for Safety and Health at Work, observed on April 28, highlights workplace well-being.

Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), it explores evolving work practices and associated risks.

This year’s focus is on digitalization and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on worker safety. The ILO will release a report featuring responses from governments, employers and workers on mitigating these challenges.

Marketplace Excellence Corporation (MPE) is a global public relations, marketing and media company.