Seatrade Cruise Global will be opening the doors to its 40th anniversary edition in just a few weeks, bringing together the global cruise community for a milestone event from 07 to 10 April at the Miami Beach Convention Center. This year’s theme, Milestones, encourages cruise lines and industry partners to reflect on four decades of evolution while looking ahead to the future of cruising.
Since its inaugural event in 1985, Seatrade Cruise Global has served as the premier platform for innovation, collaboration, and growth within the industry. The 2025 edition will not only celebrate the industry’s remarkable journey but also provide a forward-looking agenda, with 80 conference sessions and 225 expert speakers tackling key opportunities and challenges shaping the next era of cruise travel across four days.
Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand Director, comments on the conference experience: “As we celebrate 40 years of Seatrade Cruise Global, this year’s conference will be our most dynamic yet, bringing together industry leaders to explore the key milestones shaping the future of cruising. From evolving guest expectations to groundbreaking innovations and sustainability efforts, we’re curating discussions that will inspire, challenge, and drive the industry forward. We can’t wait to welcome the global cruise community to Miami for this landmark edition.”
Keynote Session: The State of the Global Cruise Industry
A highly anticipated keynote session, “The State of the Global Cruise Industry,” sponsored by Hong Kong Tourism Board, is scheduled for Tuesday, 08 April, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Moderated by Anne Kalosh, Editor at Seatrade Cruise News, this session will feature a panel of esteemed industry leaders:
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Charles “Bud” Darr, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
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Jason Liberty, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group
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Harry Sommer, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
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Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group
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Josh Weinstein, President, CEO & Chief Climate Officer, Carnival Corporation & plc
Left to right: Bud Darr, Jason Liberty, Harry Sommer, Pierfrancesco Vago, Josh Weinstein, Anne Kalosh.
These industry leaders will dive into cruising’s important topics in 2025 and beyond including opportunities and challenges, supply and demand, reaching new markets, the orderbook — which ballooned in 2024 — product innovation and AI’s role, Europe as a bellwether for policy, thoughts on Asia, infrastructure investments including how private destinations are reshaping Caribbean deployment, and an update on the important Sustainable Maritime Fuels Coalition. Plus, they will share their predictions on what cruising will look like 40 years from now.
Bud Darr, CLIA’s President and CEO will deliver a keynote address ahead of the panel discussion. Darr says: “The State of the Global Cruise Industry keynote is a defining moment each year, bringing together the industry’s top leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping our future. As we celebrate 40 years of Seatrade Cruise Global, this session will provide insights into key issues such as market expansion, sustainability, and innovation. It’s an exciting time for cruising and I look forward to an engaging conversation, along with revealing highlights from CLIA’s 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report.”
Conference Program Highlights:
The 2025 conference agenda covers the full spectrum of the cruise experience, offering insights into the latest developments and the future of the industry. Key sessions include:
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Using Consumer Insight to Deliver a Cruise Experience Travelers Want – And Keep Them Coming Back for More Powered by Cruise Critic: This session will explore how leveraging passenger feedback and market research can inform service enhancements and product development, ensuring guest satisfaction and loyalty.
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Luxury Cruising: The Anticipation of New Hotel Brands at Sea is Building; What Can We Expect as We Get Closer and Closer to Debut and Delivery?: As renowned hotel brands venture into the cruise industry, this session will discuss the upcoming luxury cruise offerings, their unique selling points, and their impact on the market.
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New Presidents Panel: Hear from Beth Bodensteiner, President, Holland America Line, Bert Hernandez, President, Silversea, Anna Nash, President, Explora Journeys and Dondra Ritzenthaler, Chief Executive Officer, Azamara Cruises, as they discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities facing cruise lines today.
Specialised Programmes:
In addition to the main conference sessions, Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 will feature targeted programmes addressing specific sectors within the industry:
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Tomorrow’s Talent Today (07 April): A dedicated initiative for cruise HR, training, and recruitment professionals, as well as educators and students from cruise-related academic institutions. This programme aims to cultivate the next generation of cruise industry talent.
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The Retail Days (08–09 April): Co-organised with The Moodie Davitt Report, this programme will explore topics such as enhancing the onboard retail experience, adapting to evolving consumer expectations, sustainability practices, digital transformation, and destination-themed merchandising.
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Tech Day (09 April): Focusing on the latest technological advancements in the cruise industry, Tech Day will delve into topics like AI, technologies’ impact on recruitment & retention, digital standardisation, connectivity and challenges both on board and shoreside.
These specialised programmes are designed to provide in-depth knowledge and networking opportunities for professionals across various sectors of the cruise industry.
Networking and Exhibition:
Everyone who has access to the conference can also connect with over 600 exhibitors on the exhibition floor who are showcasing innovative products and services across various sectors. Meet with brands across ports and destinations, entertainment, hotel operations and concessions, environmental and health, expedition cruising, information technology, design and ship interiors, safety and security, and ship equipment and shipbuilding.
Join the Celebration:
As Seatrade Cruise Global commemorates four decades of industry excellence, the entire cruise industry is invited to reflect on past achievements and collaboratively envision the future of cruising. Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to engage with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of cruising.
For more information and to register, please visit Seatrade Cruise Global’s official website.
