The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, which usually brings ships and visitors to sunny destinations, recently delivered happiness to 7,000 children as part of the 18th annual FCCA Holiday Gift Project.
The FCCA Foundation again partnered with FCCA member cruise lines and their crews, along with private and public sector representatives within 33 Caribbean and Latin American destinations, to deliver presents, festivities and smiles.
"We are pleased with the good work that the FCCA Foundation has done with the Holiday Gift Project," said FCCA Chairman Kevin Sheehan, who is president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. "It's important to take care of children in need, and it's gratifying to see the foundation continue to grow and partner with charities who have children counting on them for some holiday cheer."
The FCCA Foundation contributed gifts for age groups and genders specified by the destinations. Then member lines loaded the presents onto their ships, which served as Santa's sleigh to deliver the presents to the destinations, where representatives waited with the children, holiday celebrations and Old St. Nick himself.
"St. Maarten appreciates and thanks the efforts and donations of all involved with the Holiday Gift Project," said Mark Mingo, CEO of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies. "These efforts brought not just presents, but also joy and hope, to children who need it, and we look forward to participate again next year. On behalf of Port St. Maarten and the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, we say a heartfelt thank you."
The goal of the FCCA Foundation is to improve the lives of those less fortunate throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, primarily through children's causes. "The FCCA Holiday Gift Project brings happiness to children who truly deserve it," said Michele Paige, president of the FCCA. "The cruise industry is proud to give back to the communities of the destinations we call, and I cannot think of a more rewarding way than bringing cheer and aid to children who need it."
The FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization composed of 19 member cruise lines that operate more than 100 vessels in Caribbean and Latin American waters. Created in 1972, the FCCA provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue 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.
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