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US and Mexico Set to Unlock New Cruise Alternatives With Marie McKenzie Main the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Affiliation
Friday, January 24, 2025
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Affiliation (FCCA), a number one group representing cruise locations and stakeholders throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America, has introduced the appointment of Marie McKenzie as the brand new Chair of its Operations Committee. McKenzie, who serves as Senior Vice President of Authorities & Vacation spot Affairs at Carnival Company, steps into this influential function following unanimous approval by the committee.
Her choice displays Carnival Company’s nomination for the rotating place, which adjustments each two years to make sure various illustration amongst FCCA Member Strains. These traces collectively function over 90% of the world’s cruise capability.
McKenzie takes over from Daniel S. Farkas, Govt Senior Vice President and Common Counsel of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH). Farkas, who held the place for the previous two years, will proceed to play an lively function throughout the committee, making certain continuity in its mission to align business priorities with regional improvement objectives.
Identified for her experience in authorities relations and vacation spot engagement, McKenzie’s management is anticipated to deepen collaboration between the cruise business and the locations it serves. Her function will deal with fostering partnerships, addressing regional challenges, and unlocking new alternatives for financial development in cruise locations.
This management transition highlights FCCA’s dedication to representing the shared pursuits of cruise traces and locations whereas adapting to the evolving wants of the worldwide cruise market. With McKenzie on the helm, the affiliation goals to strengthen its influence and drive significant progress for all stakeholders concerned.
“I am honored to step into the role of FCCA Operations Committee Chair and look forward to the next two years of collaboration and progress,” stated McKenzie. “I want to thank Dan for his exceptional leadership and guidance, and I am proud to be the first woman to hold this position.” Having labored carefully with the committee members, she understands that this function requires greater than merely occupying a seat; “it’s about action, engagement and collective effort.”
“I invite all members to contribute their ideas, support, and partnership to drive meaningful impact in the region. I am eager to work together to serve and strengthen our cruise tourism community,” she acknowledged.
A Visionary Chief with Outlined Duties
As Chair of the FCCA Operations Committee, Marie McKenzie will spearhead a variety of impactful initiatives aimed toward strengthening partnerships between cruise traces, locations, and stakeholders. Her function encompasses internet hosting month-to-month conferences for committee members and FCCA companions, together with organizing on-line and in-person discussions with regional stakeholders.
McKenzie’s duties additionally embrace main web site visits, conducting city corridor conferences, and overseeing product evaluations. She is going to deal with educating each private and non-private sector companions about cruise business practices and alternatives. Moreover, she is going to play a pivotal function in key FCCA occasions, such because the lately concluded PAMAC Cruise Summit aboard MSC Divina (January 6–10), the upcoming PAMAC Summit in Aruba (June 18–20), and the FCCA Cruise Convention & Commerce Present, scheduled to return to San Juan, Puerto Rico, this fall (October 20–24).
Beneath her management, the Operations Committee will advance its core goals, emphasizing tourism improvement, port operations, security, and safety whereas selling a better understanding of the cruise business. McKenzie additionally goals to strengthen bilateral relationships with vacation spot stakeholders to unlock new financial alternatives for ports and locations, finally enriching the general vacation spot expertise.
Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA, underscored McKenzie’s alignment with the Committee’s objectives: “I am humbled by the continued commitment of FCCA Member Line executives and their dedication to our mission of strengthening mutual understanding and success with destinations and stakeholders. I believe that cause speaks personally to Marie, a Caribbean national and self-described ‘island woman’ and her perspective will steer us to an even brighter future for all.”
A Distinguished Profession within the Cruise Trade
Marie McKenzie brings a formidable legacy of over 29 years of cruise business experience to her management function. Becoming a member of Carnival Company & plc in 1996, she has held a sequence of progressively senior positions, demonstrating distinctive management and imaginative and prescient. At the moment serving as Senior Vice President of Authorities and Vacation spot Affairs, McKenzie oversees the Caribbean, the corporate’s largest cruise market, forging strategic partnerships with governments, regional organizations, and native communities. Her work spans 27 nations and 57 ports, impacting a formidable 10 million cruise friends yearly.
In her earlier function as Vice President of World Locations, Providers & Sourcing, McKenzie managed sourcing methods and cultivated relationships with tour operators and port officers throughout over 720 ports worldwide. Earlier, as Vice President of World Monetary Planning and Evaluation, she led strategic initiatives and directed advanced monetary operations throughout Carnival Company’s eight cruise manufacturers.
Earlier than becoming a member of Carnival Company’s company staff, McKenzie performed a pivotal function at Carnival Cruise Line. She served as Vice President of Monetary Operations, overseeing the monetary administration of the road’s 22-ship fleet.
McKenzie’s skilled journey started outdoors the cruise sector with Arthur Andersen LLP in Washington, DC. A proud Jamaican native, she holds a bachelor’s diploma in accounting (cum laude) from Howard College and a grasp’s diploma in worldwide enterprise (cum laude) from Florida Worldwide College.
Her illustrious profession displays a steadfast dedication to excellence, strategic management, and a ardour for fostering international partnerships within the cruise business.
