Charles Sylvia, ECC - CLIA

07/10/2025

Congratulations to Michael Bayley and the entire Royal Caribbean International team on taking delivery, today, of the stunning Star of the Seas!

07/10/2025

TODAY IS THE DAY! I’m honored and thrilled to be the guest of Norwegian Cruise Line's Senior Vice President, North America Trade Sales, Partners First - John Chernesky, on his next Johncast, and I can’t wait to share some fresh insights into the State of the Cruise Industry!

We’ll be talking about what’s fueling the surge of first-time cruisers, the latest trends you can leverage to grow your business, and why the cruise guest profile might surprise you. From the rise of multi-generational travel to the growing popularity of solo cruising, and the powerful value of travel advisors. There’s so much you’ll want to hear!

Join us today, Thursday, July 10th, at 3 p.m. EDT, for an engaging conversation packed with ideas and inspiration. Don’t miss it!

REGISTER HERE 👉 https://streamyard.com/watch/bytgZjmuQm8V

07/08/2025

🤝 Today in London, CLIA President and CEO Bud Darr met with International Maritime Organization - IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, during the 134th session of the IMO Council. 🌐

During their meeting, discussion focused on the IMO’s role as the global regulator for the maritime industry, CLIA’s engagement through its consultative status at the IMO since 1993, and the critical importance of IMO Member States establishing a fit-for-purpose, robust set of updated greenhouse gas regulations to support the implementation of the Organization’s 2023 GHG Strategy.

Meetings like today's demonstrate the cruise industry's ongoing commitment to collaboration with global agencies, governments, and associations to advance environmental and social standards, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and our industry's pursuit of net zero emissions by 2050.

We thank the Secretary-General for today's discussion and look forward to continuing our dialogue and collaboration with the IMO as we sail together towards a better future.

🔗 Learn more about the IMO's important work across the maritime sector: https://www.imo.org/en/ourwork/pages/default.aspx

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07/08/2025

If this happens, it will be such a gamechanger for our clients who do not have TSA PreCheck. Screening speeds will hopefully increase, too. 🤞

The TSA is commenting on the rumors about a new rule allowing travelers to keep their shoes on.

07/05/2025

With heavy hearts, the CLIA North American Travel Trade Membership team joins our industry family in mourning the loss of Robbi Hamida of Nexion Travel Group. Robbi’s unwavering courage, grace, and positivity, especially during his brave battle with cancer, inspired all who knew him.

Robbi was more than a leader; he was a friend, a mentor, and a true connector whose wisdom and kindness touched countless lives across the travel community. His colorful suits at CoNexion reflected his vibrant spirit and his gift for making everyone feel seen and valued.

Robbi’s legacy of generosity, purpose, and love will continue to ripple through our industry. We honor his extraordinary life and the indelible mark he leaves on all of us.

Our deepest condolences to Robbi’s family, friends, and the entire Nexion Travel Group. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered. 💙

07/03/2025

The cruise industry is dedicated to responsible tourism practices, both on and off the ship, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the shoreside experience while minimizing the impact on local communities. 🤝 Learn more 🔗 https://cruising.org/destination-stewardship?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_2qpr7g5aup 🛳️

07/02/2025

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 visited Newport, Rhode Island today, just about 20 miles south of where I live on Mount Hope Bay. I noticed many people on Facebook sharing photos and excitement about the ship’s arrival.

Some referred to her as a “cruise ship,” and I thought it might be interesting to share that Queen Mary 2 is actually an ocean liner, which is a bit different from a cruise ship. I had some great conversations with folks who enjoyed learning about the distinction. If you’re curious, click this link to a fantastic video that explains it all in an entertaining and informative way. (Photo by Dante Bellini, Jr.) ➡️ https://youtu.be/JaIbzetbEUo?si=57Alas7wloCDhtIy

07/01/2025

It's like they're reading my mind! 🥰

07/01/2025

Every voyage is powered by expertise and innovation. Our CLIA member cruise lines are committed to excellence, ensuring seafarers receive ongoing, world-class training in marine sciences and advanced technologies. As we chart the course toward net-zero cruising, our teams are ready, skilled, adaptable, and inspired to lead the way on the world’s most sophisticated ships. 🚢✨

🎓 CLIA’s oceangoing member cruise lines provide seafarers with continuous training across marine education and nautical sciences, such as navigation, marine engineering, and electrical engineering, preparing them to operate advanced technologies as the industry moves toward net-zero cruising.

💡Learn more 🔗 https://cruising.org/workforce-development/skills-future?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_or8l3j3ce4

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06/30/2025

CLIA Certification is the only official professional designation for travel advisors in the cruise industry. Achieve your first level of CLIA Certification, put those letters after your name, and watch your credibility soar! 👉 https://trade.cruising.org/en/travel-agent-center/professional-development-training/certifications

06/27/2025

Did you know? CLIA courses are taught in college hospitality programs in the United States and Canada. CLIA Professional Development offers travel advisors cruise education widely considered the gold standard of the industry. Don’t just book cruises—become the go-to cruise expert. Embark on your CLIA learning journey today! ➡️ https://trade.cruising.org/en/travel-agent-center/professional-development-training

06/26/2025

Fuels, fuels, fuels. ⛽ That was the focus of CLIA President & CEO Bud Darr's keynote presentation today at the Decarbonizing Shipping Forum in Hamburg, Germany, aptly titled "The Three Critical Elements To Reach Net Zero: Fuels, Fuels, Fuels."

⏩ Bud's keynote highlighted the cruise industry's resilience and vision in pursuing net zero, demonstrating its agility, adaptability, and ambition through massive, long-term investments in future fuels and related equipment—even before they are fully viable at scale.

Today, we're already seeing the cruise industry's agility, adaptability, and ambition setting sail:

💵 The cruise industry is investing billions in new ships and engines that allow for fuel flexibility to use low to zero-GHG fuels, once available at scale, with little to no engine modification.

🟢 Within the next five years, seven new-build ships are anticipated to run on low or zero carbon fuels, including five ships envisioned to use green methanol and two envisioned to use green hydrogen.

🔁 Ships designed with LNG engines and fuel supply systems will be able to switch to more sustainable alternative fuels such as bio or synthetic LNG in the future, with little or no modifications.

🤝 Focus was also on the challenges that need to be addressed, including fuel availability at scale, the economics of the transition to new fuels, as well as the importance and need for greater collaboration, not just among the cruise lines, but with energy majors, governments, ports, and the wider maritime sector. Collaboration and the right partnerships are key to our shared success.

💡 In closing, Bud reminded the audience of decision-makers and thought leaders that, although cruise ships are just 300–350 of 60,000 globally trading ships, our industry continues to bring economic benefits and leadership in a way that does so responsibly and serves as a model for others. While there are layers of complexities—the anchor variable is fuels. It’s all about the fuels, the fuels, the fuels.

🔗 Learn more about how the cruise industry is powering the future with a fuel-forward approach: https://cruising.org/alternative-fuels-and-fuel-flexibility?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_slwu2wjwbd

🛳️ | ALJ Group