NCLH General Counsel Dan Farkas to chair FCCA operations committee

As the long-time general counsel for NCLH, Farkas brings a new perspective to the position that rotates to a different company every two years to ensure all FCCA member lines are represented.

Follows Russell Benford

He succeeds Russell Benford, VP government relations, Americas, Royal Caribbean Group, who said the past two years underscored the significance of partnership and collaboration, which were crucial to rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benford added: 'I look forward to continuing these efforts while still being part of the committee, and I am confident that Mr. Farkas will navigate us in the right direction.'

Areas of focus and responsibilities

For his part, Farkas is determined to 'focus on strengthening our relationships with destinations, ports and FCCA members, along with representing the industry to achieve mutual success. During my tenure additional concentration will be placed on further developing and enhancing the guest experience at the destinations while expanding opportunities for stakeholders and citizens.'

He will lead monthly meetings open to the entire group and FCCA partners, online and in-person meetings with destinations and stakeholders and site visits with town hall meetings, product evaluations and private and public sector education. 

Farkas also will lead meetings and workshops at FCCA events including the Platinum Cruise Summit aboard Holland America Line’s Eurodam from Feb. 15-18, the Platinum Associate Member Advisory Council Conference Summit June 20-23 in the Cayman Islands and the 29th annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show set for Mazatlán, Mexico Nov. 6-10.

NCLH duties

At NCLH, EVP Farkas oversees legal, risk management, corporate governance and compliance, passenger and crew claims, government affairs, construction, port operations and port development. He is the company’s corporate ethics officer and currently serves on the board of the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation and the Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association Ltd. as well as various other committees within NCLH.

Before joining Norwegian in 2004, Farkas served as an assistant state attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County under both Janet Reno and Katherine Fernandez Rundle. Earlier, he was a partner at a boutique law firm specializing in maritime litigation.