Micky Arison takes helm of FCCA Executive Committee
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 09 January 2015 09 January 2015
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) proudly announces the appointment of its new Executive Committee Chairman-Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman. He takes the reins 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 further developing relationships with destinations through his hands-on dealings and unwavering dedication.
"I am honored and excited to again serve as the FCCA Executive Committee Chairman," said Arison. "My past tenure showed the significance of the Committee uniting Member Line presidents, CEOs and/or chairmen to discuss operations within the Caribbean and Latin America, and I look forward to continuing this role, which has become even more crucial as cruise lines continue to expand their capacities and markets."
"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."
Besides his functions during Executive Committee meetings, Arison will interact with the FCCA's members and destination partners during FCCA events. In all, his efforts will further advance the Committee's and FCCA's purposes: discussing cruise industry issues; building bilateral relationships with FCCA's partner destinations' private and public sectors; maximizing cruise passenger, cruise line and cruise line employee spending; and enhancing the destination experience and amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.
Arison grew up in the cruise business and spent the better part of two decades learning it from the ground up. He followed his education with a two-year stint in Carnival Cruise Lines' sales department; became reservations manager in 1974; and assumed the post of vice president of passenger traffic in 1976. After his appointment as president of Carnival in 1979 and more than a decade of successful operations, the Carnival Corporation & plc board of directors named him chairman and CEO in 1990. Last year, that role split, with Arison continuing as chairman and Arnold Donald, longtime board member, named CEO.
A wide range of international organizations has recognized Arison's contributions to the cruise industry. He was named an "Officer of the French Legion of Honor," by French President Jacques Chirac and awarded the Decoration of Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland by the President of the Republic of Finland, as well as the insignia of "Onorificenza al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" by the president of Italy. He also received an honorary doctorate in naval architecture from the University of Genoa. In 2010, he was inducted into the Cruise Lines International Association's Hall of Fame.
American Cruise Lines announces plans for new fleet of modern riverboats
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 09 January 2015 09 January 2015
American Cruise Lines announced today its plans for the construction of a new fleet of modern riverboats, which will add a new dimension to river cruising in the United States, and a wide selection of new river itineraries throughout the country. The concept for the new riverboats will differ from that of the line’s existing paddlewheelers and coastal ships by offering a more contemporary approach to their design.
Modern exteriors and spacious, elegant interiors are planned. The new riverboats will feature open deck plans to allow for maximum exposure of natural light and unobstructed viewing for guests. Glass-enclosed lounges with panoramic views, spacious, well-appointed staterooms with large, furnished balconies, and a variety of outdoor public spaces are planned.
Additional details on the line’s future expansion, including new designs and artists’ renderings of the new riverboats, and newly-introduced itineraries in additional regions of the U.S., will be announced in the coming months.
The new-design riverboats are in addition to the Victorian-style riverboats American Cruise Lines is currently building, which include the American Eagle, a new paddlewheeler for the Mississippi River nearing completion at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings names Del Rio as CEO, Sheehan to leave the company
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 09 January 2015 09 January 2015
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., announced that its Board of Directors has named Frank Del Rio as President and Chief Executive Officer. Del Rio succeeds Kevin Sheehan, who has decided to leave the company.
Del Rio is the Chief Executive Officer of Prestige Cruises International, Inc., which was acquired by Norwegian in November 2014. Del Rio, a co-founder of Oceania Cruises, Inc., a subsidiary of Prestige, has more than 20 years of experience in the cruise industry.
"Frank Del Rio has established himself as a leader and innovator in our industry," said Steve Martinez, member of Norwegian's Board of Directors. "Norwegian is poised for continued growth and we are delighted to have Frank lead our team during the next phase of the company's evolution. We also thank Kevin Sheehan for his service to the company. Kevin has built Norwegian into the highly successful company it is today - a company that has reported 25 consecutive quarters of growth in trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDA coupled with consistent margin improvement. Most recently, Kevin was integral to the Prestige acquisition, assembling a diversified portfolio of brands that spans all market segments in the cruise industry, which we believe puts the company in a strong position for the future."
"It has been a privilege to lead Norwegian over the last seven years. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and take comfort in the knowledge that I am leaving the company much healthier and stronger than when I joined. With the company set for success, I hand the baton off to Frank, a proven leader in the cruise industry," said Sheehan.
"I am excited to begin this new chapter in my long career in the cruise industry," said Del Rio. "I am blessed with a great team at Norwegian, and I am confident that together we can help our company continue to realize great things."
Frank Del Rio has served as Chief Executive Officer of Prestige or its predecessor since April 2007. Prestige, a subsidiary of Norwegian, is a global cruise line operator in the upscale cruise segment. Prestige operates two upscale cruise brands, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which operate in over 300 ports around the globe. Del Rio holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Florida and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive license).
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