Carnival Corporation Showcases Industry Leadership at FCCA Conference
Carnival Corporation played a pivotal role at the 2025 FCCA Cruise Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with our executives and teams featured in several key sessions that highlighted industry growth, collaboration and care.
Charting the Course
CEO Josh Weinstein opened the conference with a keynote that set an optimistic tone for the future of cruise tourism. He highlighted record-breaking demand and the Caribbean’s central role in the industry’s growth.
“Demand is booming and consumer interest in cruising continues to surge,” Josh shared, highlighting the industry’s record-breaking growth and Carnival Corporation’s commitment to sustainability. He emphasized the economic impact: “Cruise tourism generated almost $4.2 billion in direct spending across the region. That’s real money supporting over 94,000 local jobs.”
His remarks focused on partnerships with destinations and responsible expansion – ensuring that progress benefits both guests and local communities.
Leading the Way
Josh then joined industry leaders for a forward-looking discussion on the future of cruise tourism during the CEO Spotlight panel. He underscored the industry’s enormous growth potential, pointing out that cruising still represents only a small share of the overall vacation market – leaving what he called “a very long runway” for expansion.
“One of the reasons why I’m so optimistic about the future of cruise is because we are still tiny,” he adds. “That gives me incredible confidence given the success we’ve had and the relatively small share of the market we’ve reached so far.”
Josh also highlighted the importance of destination partnerships, describing cruising as “a doorway to destination tourism” that inspires travelers to return for longer stays. His remarks reinforced Carnival Corporation’s commitment to building strong, transparent relationships with destination partners – including port authorities, local governments and tourism boards – to support sustainable growth and shared success.
Navigating New Destinations
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy used the Presidential Panel to spotlight the company’s bold investment in guest experiences, including the launch of Celebration Key on Grand Bahama island. She explained that the new destination – Carnival’s largest-ever project – offers something for everyone, from family-friendly spaces to exclusive beach clubs for adults, while creating economic opportunities for the local community.
“Celebration Key has been a great success,” Christine mentioned. “By December 2025, we will be welcoming the one-millionth guest. It’s an investment that delivers unique experiences while supporting the local Bahamian economy.”
Princess Cruises President Gus Antorcha added perspective on the Princess brand’s premium positioning, focusing on enrichment and immersive itineraries that connect guests deeply with destinations.
“Our guests want more than a vacation – they want discovery,” Antorcha said. “Every itinerary is designed to deliver cultural engagement and meaningful experiences that make travel truly transformative.”
The Future of Homeporting
The workshop “The Rise of Homeporting in the Caribbean” explored how homeporting is reshaping cruise deployment and creating new opportunities for destinations. It’s not just where ships dock – it’s about transforming the guest experience and strengthening regional economies.
“Homeporting isn’t just a convenience – it’s a catalyst for growth,” said Carlos Estrada, director of commercial homeport operations for Carnival Cruise Line. “When ports and cruise lines work together, we create a seamless experience for guests and unlock economic benefits for communities across the region.”
The discussion highlighted what it takes to make this vision a reality: modern terminals, efficient traffic flow and provisioning systems designed for next-generation ships. The result? Faster embarkation, happier guests and stronger partnerships that ripple far beyond the pier.
