Cruise Associations
26 articles
BlueMissionMed: A Commitment for a Sustainable Med
The Mediterranean, a sea rich in history, culture, and biodiversity, today faces increasingly urgent environmental challenges. Marine pollution, habitat loss, and growing pressure on natural resources threaten not only the ecosystem but also the economies and communities that have long depended on this basin. To address these issues, BlueMissionMed was born—an ambitious and innovative project [&he
MedCruise: The Economic and Social Impact of Cruises
MedCruise has launched a Cruise Economic Impact Assessment Study, a major initiative aimed at providing a comprehensive, evidence-based understanding of the economic, social, and environmental contribution of cruise tourism. By combining robust data collection with in-depth analysis, the study aims to generate valuable insights for port authorities, cruise lines, policymakers, and local communitie
Taranto Hosts the Cruises & Port Cities Working Group
The port-city of Taranto hosted on 19–20 February 2026 the first in-person meeting of the Cruises & Port Cities Working Group, a joint initiative by AIVP and MedCruise dedicated to the sustainable development of cruise ports and port cities. The event brought together around 30 professionals and experts from Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and Portugal, […]
CLIA: the cruise industry is experiencing strong growth
The cruise sector continues to represent a strategic engine for the European economy, generating €64.1 billion in 2024, up 15.7% from €55.3 billion in 2023, with a direct contribution of €28 billion to the European Union’s GDP. The figures, presented by CLIA – Cruise Lines International Association during the European Summit in Madeira, confirm not […]
Lardizabal and Harrell: New Co-Chairs of CLIA
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced the appointment of two new Co-Chairs of the Trade Relations Committee (TRC) for 2026 and 2027: Michelle Lardizabal and Joshua Harrell. CLIA, the leading authority of the global cruise community, selected Michelle Lardizabal, Sales Director at Azamara Cruises, and Joshua Harrell, Revenue Manager at WorldVia Travel Network. […]
MedCruise: the glue of Mediterranean cruise ports
Since 1996, the Mediterranean has been more than just a sea of history, culture, and stunning landscapes; it has also become one of the world’s leading hubs for cruise tourism. In this context, MedCruise– the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports – has established itself as an essential point of reference for all industry operators seeking […]
CLIA Unveils Details of the 2026 Expedition Summit
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland has confirmed the details of the upcoming Expedition Summit 2026, scheduled for 8 May 2026. The annual gathering, aimed at travel agents, will offer a unique experience with an onboard visit to HX Expeditions’ MS Fram in Dover, one of the company’s most renowned expedition ships. Recently […]
CLIA strengthens Its network by welcoming new partners
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland has announced that Beyond Cruising and Cornish Gems have joined its network as Associate Partners, reinforcing support, networking, and growth opportunities for the cruise industry and related luxury experiences. Beyond Cruising specializes in creating cruise packages and combined cruise-and-land tours for the travel trade, offering a wide
MedCruise at the Forefront of Seatrade Europe 2025
The 2025 edition of Seatrade Europe, held in Hamburg from 10 to 12 September, marked a significant opportunity for MedCruise to reaffirm its leading role in the cruise landscape of the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas. The Association participated in the event with a strong and structured institutional presence, actively contributing to strategic discussions, presentations, […]
European Cruise Ports Strengthen Cooperation
At Seatrade Cruise Europe 2025, held in Hamburg, the leading European cruise port associations reaffirmed their strategic collaboration, while also presenting the findings of a major joint survey on the impact of cruise tourism on port destinations. The event marked a key opportunity to reflect on sustainability, innovation, and resilience in a constantly evolving industry. […]
CLIA: The annual environmental technologies report
The global cruise industry continues to make significant strides toward environmental sustainability. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading organization representing the cruise industry, has recently published its annual Environmental Technologies and Practices report, analyzing progress made by its members from 2018 to 2024. The report highlights how cruise lines are investin
GPH: the new cruise investment plans
Global Ports Holding announced an ambitious program of international investments during the Seatrade Cruise Global event held in Miami on April 8, 2025. This initiative, defined by a multimillion-dollar commitment, aims to consolidate and further develop the company’s network of ports, anticipating the future needs of the expanding global cruise industry. The conference, entitled “Shaping [&hell
CLIA: A Growing Industry with Strong Global Impact
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released its annual report on the state of the cruise industry, highlighting a vibrant and dynamic sector shaped by contemporary travel trends, a growing variety of offerings, and innovative experiences that meet the increasingly broad and diverse demands of consumers. According to Bud Darr, President and CEO of CLIA, the […]
Anglo-Eastern Univan Group Joins CLIA
Anglo-Eastern Univan Group, a global leader in independent ship management, has officially announced its membership in the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) as a Gold-level Maritime Executive Partner, further solidifying its commitment to excellence in cruise ship management. CLIA is the official trade association of the cruise industry and represents the most authoritative voice of [&
CLIA and ExplorEarth: A Strategic Partnership
The expedition cruise market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by travelers’ increasing interest in exclusive experiences in remote and unspoiled destinations. To meet this demand and support the industry, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland has announced a new partnership with ExplorEarth, an innovative platform dedicated to expedition cruises and small-ship
CLIA Joins the Visitor Economy Advisory Council
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading global trade association representing the cruise industry, has been officially included in the Visitor Economy Advisory Council, the UK Government’s advisory body for the tourism economy. This council serves as a key point of dialogue between the tourism industry and UK Government Ministers, providing strategic guidance and […]
MedCruise: Elections and New Responsibilities
Last September 2024, during the 65th General Assembly of MedCruise in Malaga, elections for port representatives took place. This Association of Mediterranean cruise ports is now present in 22 countries across three different continents. With the start of the new term, new members of the Board of Directors have been elected, taking on new roles […]
Charles Bud Darr Returns to Lead CLIA
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that its Global Executive Committee has appointed Charles Bud Darr as President and Chief Executive Officer, a position he will take up on February 3, 2025. Bud Darr returns to CLIA after serving from 2010 to 2017 as Senior Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs, succeeding […]
MedCruise at the World Conference Cities & Ports
The recent World Conference Cities & Ports, organized by AIVP – The World Network of Port-Cities and hosted by the Port of Lisbon, provided an important platform for global discussions among key stakeholders in the port and urban sectors. One of the key participants was MedCruise, an association representing the cruise ports of the Mediterranean […]
Cruises Made in Europe: A Driving Force for the Future
European cruising continues to be a strategic sector for the continent’s economy, generating an annual economic value of €55.3 billion and supporting 400,000 jobs. Among the key players in this industry, Italy stands out with a contribution of €14.7 billion and nearly 100,000 employees, positioning itself as a leader both in cruise ship construction and […]
CLIA: Industry Progress in the Ecological Transition
CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, has published its annual report, Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices, highlighting the sector’s progress in the ecological transition. The report shows that half of the ships are already electrified, while only 3% of global ports are prepared for this technology. The goal is to achieve 100% electrification […]
STCMed 2024: MedCruise Looks to the Future
The Seatrade Cruise Med, held in Málaga on September 11-12, showcased a strong presence from MedCruise members who led various panels focusing on key topics such as the state of the cruise industry in the Mediterranean, the social and economic impact of cruise tourism, sustainable destinations, decarbonization, women’s leadership in the sector, and more. As […]
Theodora Riga Elected President of MedCruise
Theodora Riga, Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Strategic Communications at the Port of Thessaloniki, has been elected as the new President of MedCruise for the 2024-2027 term. During the 65th General Assembly of MedCruise, held in Malaga, Spain, as part of Seatrade Cruise Med 2024, the new Board of Directors was also appointed. The […]
MedCruise and Queer Destinations: Traveling Freely
During the 64th general assembly of MedCruise held in June in Tarragona, inclusivity was the central theme extensively discussed during enriching panels, including a session dedicated to how ports and destinations can be inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community. The power of the LGBTQ+ community is incredible, as analyzed with staggering numbers: 10% of the world’s […]