Seatrade Cruise, the global cruise events brand, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) have extended their existing partnership, with a new 10-year agreement.
This is aimed at fostering innovation and growth across the global cruise industry.
Seatrade Cruise, CLIA and FCCA partner on several events, including Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry’s annual business-to-business gathering.
This agreement will see further long-term collaboration on events and initiatives that champion businesses and stakeholders across the cruise industry, helping to create new opportunities for growth, sharing knowledge and promoting sustainable practices.
“This agreement reflects our deep commitment to collaboration across the cruise industry,” said Bud Darr, CLIA President & CEO (pictured).
“This next decade will be one of transformation, and we’re proud to move forward together — elevating global awareness of our industry’s innovation, leadership, and positive contributions around the world.”
Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA, added: “FCCA has enjoyed a powerful and collaborative partnership with Seatrade for more than 30 years, and this agreement is a testament to our commitment of improving together and building for a better future.
“This also represents opportunities and continued growth for our partners throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America, and we look forward to enhancing value to our members and assisting with strategic initiatives that bring benefits for all,” she said.
As Europe navigates complex policy shifts, rising environmental ambitions, and ever-evolving traveller expectations, Seatrade Europe 2025 will bring the ocean and river cruise community together under the conference theme ’Future Forward’, Seatrade has revealed.
Sessions will explore how cruise lines, ports, destinations, regulators, and suppliers are responding to new imperatives – from de-carbonisation and smart ship design to evolving guest expectations, community engagement, and shoreside innovation across destination immersion, port operations, and infrastructure.
“Seatrade Europe is the leading meeting point for the European cruise industry,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress.
“Under the theme ‘Future Forward’, the conference brings together key industry stakeholders in Hamburg to jointly shape a sustainable, resilient and future-ready cruise sector. Dialogue between cruise lines, ports, destinations and suppliers has never been more important.”
An opening panel will set the tone for Seatrade Europe 2025 – offering strategic insight into the region’s cruise outlook and the steps being taken to future-proof growth.
It will explore how cruise lines are moving from strategy to implementation – and what it will take to remain competitive, resilient, and relevant in the fast-evolving European cruise market.
Panelists include:
• Felix Eichhorn, President, AIDA Cruises.
• Simone Maraschi, Chairman, Cruise Europe.
• Wybcke Meier, CEO, TUI Cruises.
• Anna Nash, President, Explora Journeys, representing MSC Group’s Cruise Division.
• Ferdinand Strohmeier, CEO, Mystic Cruises.
The moderator will be Mary Bond, Group Director, Seatrade Cruise.
Programme topics will include –
Cruise Cities, Communities & Impact –
Exploring how cruise lines and destinations are redefining success & destination immersion — balancing economic value with authentic cultural exchange, local benefits, and social licence.
Destination Development & Tourism Strategy –
Looks at emerging destinations, seasonality, shore excursion evolution, and what it takes to become cruise-ready — with an emphasis on innovation and local value.
Environmental Stewardship & ESG –
From fleet retrofits to biodiversity protection, this theme will tackle the tangible steps cruise stakeholders are taking to meet ambitious climate and sustainability goals.
Technology & Guest Experience –
Digital solutions that enhance operations, safety, and passenger satisfaction — from cyber security to personalisation on river and ocean cruises alike.
European Cruise Outlook –
An overview of market trends, policy direction, investment priorities, and regional growth — from fleet development to traveller demographics.
Global Growth: Emerging Deployment Markets Beyond Europe –
Cruise destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and the Americas are investing in infrastructure, experiences, and partnerships to attract global cruise lines. Offering a perspective from further afield, explores how these regions are shaping global deployment strategies and responding to shifting guest expectations.
Luxury, Small Ship & Expedition Sector Growth –
This cross-cutting focus will highlight Northern Europe’s growing luxury and expedition segments, and how high-value, low-impact cruising is shaping regional itineraries.
Next-Gen Ships & Smart Design –
Innovation in shipbuilding, retrofitting, and digitalisation – including de-carbonisation technology, tech-driven design, and future-forward experiences.
Port Operations & Infrastructure Development - From scalable shore power to cruise terminal management, explores innovation across the port ecosystem – spotlighting turnaround capabilities, infrastructure investment, and the supplier partnerships powering smarter, more efficient cruise ports.
People & Skills in an Evolving Industry –
Focusing on the cruise workforce of the future – green skills, diversity and inclusion, crew welfare, and the broader blue economy workforce pipeline.
River Cruise Outlook -
Highlighting the river cruise sector’s evolution with ‘River Cruise Day,’ in collaboration with River Cruise Europe & IG River Cruise – from de-carbonisation and newbuilds to destination development, tourism management, and growth beyond Europe.
