The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is a not-for-profit trade organization composed of 23 Member Lines operating nearly 200 vessels in Floridian, Caribbean and Latin American waters. Created in 1972, the FCCA’s mandate is to provide a forum for discussion on cruise operations, tourism development, ports, tour operations, safety, security and other cruise industry issues. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA seeks to build cooperative relationships with its partner destinations and to develop productive bilateral partnerships with every sector. The FCCA works with governments, ports and all private/public sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, cruise line and cruise line employee spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.

Member Lines:
AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line Ltd, Disney Cruise Line, Explora Journeys, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, Margaritaville At Sea, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, TUI Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Windstar Cruises.

Partnerships:
Some of the ways the FCCA works with the cruise-oriented destinations include:

• Port Improvements – The FCCA provides technical assistance on port expansion, including input on port and pier design, improvements and planned new services.

 

• Research – Research is conducted and provided to destination partners in an effort to create a better understanding of cruise passengers; improve the landside product delivery; and maximize cruise tourism’s benefits.

 

• FCCA Outreach Program – FCCA training seminars provide destination partners with valuable
information regarding cruise passengers—their wants, needs and habits—enabling the destinations’ private and public sectors to optimize the impact of cruise tourists in their country. The FCCA has four core training programs:

 

• Service Excellence: “Cruise Passengers Equal Profits:” Workshop on the importance of excellent customer service and the economic impact of the cruise industry. A happy guest not only spends more money, but also will return again and again, thereby producing greater profits and converting cruise passengers into return stay-over guests.

 

• Taxi Pride: Entertaining and informative workshop geared toward taxi drivers, tour operators and vendors providing ground transportation. It focuses on five main areas: courtesy, professionalism, marketing, rules and safety.

In addition, the FCCA will design outreach programs based on destination requests, including, but not limited to, the following areas: hurricane/beach/road cleanups; painting schools, hospitals and orphanages; visiting the elderly; community projects; and volunteering at hospitals.

• FCCA Training Partner – Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence offers training for Tour Guides, Tour Operators and workshops for member Destinations aimed at raising the level of Excellence in the cruise industry. Aquila’s signature programs include:

 

• Tour Guide Excellence International Certification: an Online Training and Certification Program that teaches Tour Guides what makes an excellent tour guide and the skills to turn that
knowledge into a practical reality when guiding cruise shore excursions. The program
involves six interactive sessions on cruise-specific topics, including: hospitality, service,
research, presentation, preparation and risk management. Successful completion of an exam
and video assessment earns participants their International Certification.

• New! ACE Tour Operator Designation: an Aquila Cruise Excellence designation awarded to
Tour Operators who meet the requirements for service excellence in the cruise industry.
Exclusive to FCCA Member Tour Operators, this program allows Tour Operators to
demonstrate that they have the policies and procedures in place to meet or exceed the
established standards of quality that are recognized and respected throughout the cruise industry.

FCCA Membership:
The FCCA has designed a two-tier membership program for destination partners and private organizations impacted by cruise tourism to cultivate an even closer, direct working relationship with FCCA Member Lines.

Associate Membership
The FCCA Associate Membership Program is designed as a partnership to help promote a business to the cruise industry at a great value. For only $500 per year (about $42 a month), it includes the following benefits:

• Exclusive Associate Member reception at the FCCA Conference and Trade Show
• Exclusive VIP tour during the FCCA Conference and Trade Show
• Upgraded FCCA membership badge at the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show
• Savings on registration fees for the annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show
• $500 discount on advertising for first year of membership
• Discount on Tour Guide Excellence training and exclusivity on ACE Tour Operator Designation from Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence
• Discount on insurance program for tour operators through AON Risk Services
• Discount on the FCCA Emergency Card Program through Trinity Air Ambulance
• Access to up-to-date research and statistical studies (customized to your destination if requested)
• Promotional updates on the cruise industry (current e-mail required)
• Listing/profile in the FCCA Membership Directory
• Listing in the Conference issue of FCCA’s Cruising Magazine
• Associate Member FCCA pin
• Membership certificate
• Use of Associate Member FCCA logo on printed materials and cruise line proposals

Platinum Associate Membership
Platinum Membership cultivates close relationships with FCCA Member Line CEOs, presidents and executives that decide what products are sold onboard and where ships call. For the price of some publications’ advertising, Platinum Members gain direct access to the cruise industry. In addition to the benefits above, Platinum Membership includes:

• One complimentary cabin for the annual FCCA PAMAC Cruise Summit
• One complimentary cabin for inaugural cruise events
• One complimentary hotel room for the annual PAMAC Conference
• One complimentary registration for the FCCA Gala
• One complimentary registration for the FCCA Conference and Trade Show
• Exclusive one-on-one meetings during the FCCA Conference and Trade Show
• Exclusive receptions during the FCCA Conference and Trade Show
• Private lunch meeting at the FCCA Conference and Trade Show
• Preferred VIP seating at the FCCA Conference Opening
• Exclusive VIP receptions at the FCCA booth during Cruise Shipping Miami
• Exclusive VIP events during Cruise Shipping Miami
• Access to FCCA Operations Committee meetings
• Chance to speak/present at FCCA panels and workshops
• Assistance setting meetings
• Company profile and updates in the FCCA’s Cruising Magazine
• Platinum listing in the FCCA Membership Directory
• Advertising and marketing discounts
• Membership in the FCCA Urgent Care Program through Trinity Air Ambulance
• Seat on FCCA’s Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council (PAMAC)
• Platinum Membership plaque/clock

FCCA Foundation:
The FCCA Foundation provides a tangible mechanism for the cruise industry to fund a range of humanitarian causes in the Caribbean and Central American regions, along with Mexico and Colombia. In its 28 years of existence, the Foundation has impacted thousands of citizens by providing millions of dollars in support and countless hours to causes and charities throughout the region. Programs include:

• Holiday Gift Project – The FCCA reaches out to many Caribbean and Latin American destinations by providing gifts and holiday cheer to children in foster homes or institutions. The presents are delivered to partner destinations on Member Lines’ vessels, and the crew and FCCA associates then give the gifts at a festive party. In 2019, 40 destinations participated in the program, and about 9,000 children received presents and smiles because of the efforts.

 

• Children’s Essay and Poster Competitions – The FCCA orchestrates these competitions to further educate FCCA destination partners’ youth by learning and thinking about the cruise industry’s impact, along with their destinations’ and citizens’ roles in it, while also prompting practical problem solving. There are two divisions—junior (12 years and under) and senior (13-16)—that each receive 1st-3rd-place prizes of 3,000, 1,500 and 1,000, respectively, for themselves and their schools, along with a $200 award for every finalist submitted by the participating destinations. The first place recipients also receive functions in their honor.

 

Foundation Events (All Proceeds Support the Foundation):
• FCCA Online Auction – Taking place every December and open to anyone with a valid e-mail address, this auction features items ranging from vacation packages, artwork, jewelry and sports memorabilia —all graciously donated by FCCA Member Lines and partners throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

 

• FCCA Foundation Extravaganza – Created by the Member Lines 30 years ago, the event gathers cruise executives and industry stakeholders on a social level to establish new relationships or enhance existing ones. It features a cocktail reception, dinner with a selected table host—each a Member Line executive, president and/or CEO.

FCCA Magazines and Publications

• Travel & Cruise Magazine – Published quarterly, Travel & Cruise is the official magazine of the FCCA and cruise industry, serving to educate and enlighten about the industry’s inner-workings. With a distribution list of over 18,000 via the Internet and direct mailings, Cruising offers advertisers access to over 13,000 travel agents, along with partner destinations’ private and public sectors and Member Line decision makers in marine operations, marketing, strategic planning and more.

 

• Cruise Destinations & Industry Highlights – Features a cruise industry who’s who, with cruise executive profiles and information on FCCA Member Lines. The Highlight Issue is an essential tool when dealing with the cruise industry.

 

• Membership Directory – The FCCA Directory contains a complete listing of all FCCA Associate and Platinum Members, as well as partner destinations’ ministers of tourism.

 

• Conference Program and Gala Program – Delegates attending these functions receive comprehensive programs packed with useful FCCA schedules, information and accomplishments.

FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show
For many cruise executives, destinations, suppliers and tour operators, this is the premier industry event of the year—an opportunity to meet in a roundtable format with key players to analyze industry trends and discuss current issues. The FCCA Conference brings together over 100 cruise executives and 1,000 industry stakeholders.

As the FCCA sails into the future, it remains steadfast in its mission to create mutually beneficial relationships between cruise lines and partner destinations’ private and public sectors.