Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)

Pembroke Pines, FL. (November 23, 2011) The holidays will be brighter for more than 6,000 children as the FCCA Member Lines plan for the 16th annual Holiday Gift Project. Once again, underprivileged children in 30 destinations throughout the Caribbean and Latin America will be treated to a very special holiday when they receive gifts delivered by crew members from the FCCA member cruise lines.

Michele M. Paige, President of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, underlines the importance of the FCCA Holiday Gift Project, "The FCCA is pleased to offer this ongoing initiative that epitomizes the goal of the FCCA Foundation; it improves the lives of underprivileged children throughout the Caribbean and Latin America by delivering presents and holiday cheer to those who would not receive anything otherwise."

A heartfelt message from Maria Claudia Lacouture, the president of Proexport, Colombia, outlines her appreciation and importance of this project, “We are very grateful for these acts of great humanity that enhance the commercial work of the FCCA and give the vulnerable people of Cartagena a sense of value for the ships that grace the bay and dock at its ports. On behalf of the Colombians that work with social responsibility within the tourism industry for a more prosperous country, we give a warm welcome, reiterating our appreciation for offering the 200 children of the ‘Fundación Ayúdame a Vivir’ a chance for happiness and a light of hope.”

Dimitri Cloose, commercial marketing manager of Curacao Ports Authority, shares this enthusiasm for the upcoming event, “The FCCA Holiday Gift Project assimilates in the temperament of the season, where giving and sharing plays a central role. The romantic backdrop and dreamlike atmosphere of cruising gives this annual charity a unique character for the less privileged children on Curaçao. The idyllic combination of the Christmas spirit and the excitement of a cruise makes the FCCA Holiday Gift Project a true highlight at the end of the year for all involved in the business.”

“200 children will enjoy the spirit of the holiday due to the support they will receive from The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Toys will be delivered to the children next December 13th at the DIF facilities in Cabo San Lucas. Our goal is to assist children in vulnerable situations and provide them with the attention they need. We appreciate the support and close working relationship with the FCCA who help provide this special attention to the children,” tells M.C. Jesus V. Camacho Castro, Tourism Sector Representative in Cabo San Lucas.

In its 18th year, the FCCA Foundation continues to improve the lives of citizens in the Caribbean and Latin America through projects such as this. The Foundation has impacted the lives of thousands and has provided millions in funding to a variety of organizations and causes.

Antigua
Aruba
Bonaire
Belize
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cartagena, Colombia
Colon, Panama
Costa Maya, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Curacao
Dominica
Eluthera, Bahamas
Ensenada, Mexico
Falmouth, Jamaica
Freeport, Bahamas
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands
Grenada
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Nassau, Bahamas
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Port Everglades, Florida
Progreso, Mexico
Roatan, Honduras
Samana, Dominican Republic
San Juan, Puerto Rico
St. Kitts
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
Tortola, BVI

The FCCA Member Lines are committed to working with our destination partners to deliver holiday cheer.

Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International

Created in 1972, the FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issues and builds bilateral relationships with destinations’ private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. For more information, visit F-CCA.com and @FCCAupdates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.