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Josh Weinstein, Sinaloa governor headline FCCA opener in Mazatlán

Some 9.1m passengers will visit Mexico, 'one of the world's top cruise destinations,' in 2024, Carnival Corp. & plc CEO Josh Weinstein said in his keynote at the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association conference in Mazatlán.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

November 8, 2023

3 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Of those, more than half — 4.7m — will be aboard Carnival brands.

CRUISE FCCA Carnival Corp Mazatlan

Carnival Corp. executives, from left, Vicky Rey, Jan Swartz, John Padgett, Josh Weinstein and Gus Antorcha

Cruising makes for a 'substantial' economic impact in Mexico, Weinstein added. Average passenger spending per port is $70, with crew spending an average $40 on top of that. This makes up part of the $760m in direct annual cruise spending in the country, creating more than 17,000 jobs and $150m in wages.

Meanwhile, multiple cruise companies are generating record bookings and improvements across the board.

CRUISE FCCA Mzantlan ribbon cutting

A ribbon-cutting opened the FCCA event

'We see no sign of consumers slowing down,' Weinstein told FCCA attendees. 'We are seeing more interest in cruising than ever. The intent to cruise is higher today than in December 2019, a record.'

Weinstein recounted Carnival's recent third quarter results showed record revenues, per diems, yields and customer sales deposits, adding it's critical this continues because his company's debt load has tripled, 'and we now have $30 billion in debt, so we have a lot of work to do.'

CRUISE FCCA Mazatlan Michele Paige

FCCA CEO Michele Paige with attendees

A heart for Acapulco

Weinstein had begun his remarks by mentioning the 'heartbreaking devastation' of Acapulco from Hurricane Otis and urged support for its recovery. 'Acapulco is a very special place, and I'm confident it will come back even stronger,' he said.

How Mazatlán came to host the FCCA

FCCA CEO Michele Paige said the cruise industry's had a '50-year love affair' with Mexico. 

She told how, when Rubén Rocha Moya was elected governor of Sinaloa state 2.5 years ago, he had lunch with her and Russell Benford, VP government relations, Americas, Royal Caribbean Group, because he wanted to learn about the cruise industry. Immediately Rocha Moya vowed to host an FCCA event.

'Well, you did it,' Paige said.

CRUISE Emilio Freeman Jaimie Castillo Russell Benfored

Russell Benford, far right, with Royal Caribbean colleague Jaime Castillo, center, and SeaDream Yacht Club's Emilio Freeman

Mazatlán is hosting in a year when 430,000 cruisers are expected to visit.

For his part, Rocha Moya extolled 'the pearl of the Pacific' with its Centro Histórico — the only one in all of Mexico's Pacific Coast cruise destinations, he said — its sweeping malecón, fishing bounty, seafood gastronomy, the world's tallest lighthouse and many other attributes.

CRUISE Mazatlanparade

Mazatlán threw a big party in the Centro Histórico for FCCA attendees with a Day of the Dead parade, fireworks, music and dancing

Security

He also stressed the importance of security. Some years ago, cruise lines pulled out of Mazatlán during a period of drug cartel shootings and the state worked hard to secure touristic areas. Eventually the ships returned.

'There was a stigma that Sinaloa was violent. Not now,' Rocha Moya said.

More than 600 people are attending the FCCA event. Rocha Moya called out each nationality and officials from other parts of nearby states, sharing highlights of their destinations including the 'Pueblos Mágicos' (Magical Towns), a federal tourism initiative around culturally rich and hisoric towns, along with natural wonders like the Copper Canyon, accessed from Topolobampo.

CRUISE FCCA Sonora Sinaloa

Sonora Gov. Alfonso Durazo Montaño, left, with Sinaloa Gov. Rubén Rocha Moya, and Michele Paige and Rocha Moya exchanging gifts

Sea of Cortez states cooperate

For his part, Alfonso Durazo Montaño, the governor of neighboring Sonora, touted the Sea of Cortez and said the governors of its bordering states — Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California and Baja California Sur — are working together to develop the touristic potential of this 'aquarium of the world,' as Jacques Cousteau called it. They aim to create a cruise itinerary and are improving infrastructure and connectivity to do so.

There was so much to say by the hosts that the scheduled hour-long opening ceremony stretched to more than double that so the Presidents' Panel — which was to feature Gus Antorcha of Holland America Line, John Padgett of Princess Cruises and Rick Sasso (chairman) of MSC Cruises USA — was canceled.

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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