True to its name, Royal Caribbean is a cruise line inspired by the Caribbean and wants to stay connected to the region.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said that while the cruise line has ships around the world, about 60% of its business comes from the Caribbean.
RELATED: Royal Caribbean halts sailings to two popular Caribbean ports
Bailey recently met with Caribbean tourism officials aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas during this month’s Caribbean Weekend in Miami to discuss the region’s potential for economic growth, sustainability and deeper community engagement.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is partnering with Royal Caribbean to host “Envisioning Caribbean Tourism: An Iconic Summit” to discuss key topics such as the cruise industry’s role in creating jobs and opportunities in the Caribbean.
Sign up for the Cruise with Me newsletter to save money on your next (or first) cruise.
Image source&col;Daniel Klein/ComeCruiseWith.com
“The Caribbean is the soul of Royal Caribbean”
During the discussion, Bailey emphasized that “the Caribbean is the soul of Royal Caribbean.” He emphasized that everything the cruise line does reflects Royal Caribbean’s connection and connection to the Caribbean, from the colors and designs of the ships to the company’s warm and friendly culture.
Bailey highlighted Royal Caribbean’s continued commitment to supporting the success of all stakeholders within the Caribbean cruise travel ecosystem. He highlighted the cruise line’s focus on creating jobs and promoting local sourcing in the region.
RELATED: Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises share holiday messages
He also explained how a strong supply chain system is critical to the cruise line’s local sourcing plans. “It does require a lot of collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and the cruise lines to try to figure out how to create co-ops to aggregate products so that we can purchase them… It’s going to take time and commitment and focus, but we’re very open to it,” Bailey said.
While discussing cruise industry employment opportunities for Caribbean nationals, Bailey also spoke of the potential for Caribbean governments to develop a framework similar to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). As a government agency, POEA protects the rights of overseas Filipino workers and regulates the recruitment of Filipino workers in the cruise industry and other industries.
RELATED: It’s Christmas on the Royal Caribbean Crew
Bailey praised the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation’s cadet program and shared the recent success story of a Bahamian female second officer who brought the Icon of the Seas to Nassau during her maiden season.
When the discussion turned to the topic of sustainability, Bailey talked about Royal Caribbean’s waste reduction initiatives and investments in innovative energy solutions such as biofuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s first ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas and is committed to launching a net-zero emissions cruise ship by 2035.
Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings and more. Sign up for the “Cruise with Me” newsletter.
Caribbean tourism officials applaud Royal Caribbean’s cooperation
Ian Gooding-Edghill, Chairman of the CTO and Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, shared his reflections on the importance of working with the cruise industry, noting that as the CTO reimagines the future of Caribbean tourism, the summit initiative reflects its commitment to building a community that is conducive to A successful partnership between the economy and the community.
Minister Gooding-Egier recognized the role Royal Caribbean plays in providing economic opportunity throughout the region. “It’s a great story… it speaks to your leadership and it speaks to your company,” he said, thanking Royal Caribbean for its long-term commitment to the Caribbean.
Chief Technology Officer and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper also expressed her gratitude for Royal Caribbean’s partnership: “This iconic summit underscores the power of partnerships and collaboration as we re- Conceived how tourism could develop and deepened engagement with the cruise industry.
RELATED: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises to add ships, new destinations in 2025
During the summit, Bailey assured CTO members that the Caribbean will remain central to the cruise line’s operations as Royal Caribbean prepares to launch its next Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, which will depart from Florida. Port Navlar begins sailing Caribbean cruises.
The CTO pledged to work on strengthening partnerships with Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines. As the tourism development agency for the Caribbean, CTO intends to sponsor opportunities for open dialogue between the cruise industry and Caribbean stakeholders and pursue opportunities for sustainable growth and mutual benefit.
Are you on a cruise or considering one? Visit our Cruise with Me website to get all your questions answered.
