AAPA and FCCA to Join Forces

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) will work cooperatively to serve the port and cruise industries. The agreement was announced at a meeting of leaders of AAPA and FCCA at the offices of the Tampa Port Authority. Michele M. Paige, President of FCCA, commented, "One of the FCCA's mandates is to foster a better understanding of the cruise industry; therefore, the Memorandum Of Understanding with the AAPA is a meaningful mechanism to further the FCCA's goals ." Stephen A. Nielsen, Vice-President, Caribbean & Atlantic Shore Operations, of Princess Cruises, who serves as chairman of the FCCA Security Operations Committee, added, "It's long overdue that the AAPA and the FCCA work more closely in dealing with issues which affect the members of both associations. We are delighted at this opportunity to strengthen the relations between our two organizations and to work cooperatively in addressing the many issues which face us." Today's agreement expands existing links between the two organizations, according to Kurt J. Nagle, president of AAPA. "Many of AAPA's major cruise ports are also members of FCCA," Nagle noted. "At the same time, leaders of the cruise lines that make up FCCA's membership have longstanding, favorable working relationships with AAPA members. Further enhancing the relationship between AAPA and FCCA benefits both organizations."