Federal Maritime Commission
Washington , D.C. 20573 

NR 05-11

 FMC HOLDS INDUSTRY BRIEFING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF CRUISE LINES

CONTACT:  BRYANT L. VANBRAKLE (202) 523-5725; e-mail: secretary@fmc.gov

FOR RELEASE - JULY 14, 2005

On Wednesday, July 13, 2005, the Federal Maritime Commission (“FMC”) held the fifth in a series of briefings by representatives of the shipping industry and maritime community. The briefings are intended to foster a greater awareness and understanding of the current issues and concerns affecting the various interests involved with the United States foreign commerce.

            The briefing was presented by the following members of the International Council of Cruise Lines: Richard Fain, Chairman of the International Council of Cruise Lines, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.; Mark Conroy, President, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises; Gregg Michel, President and Chief Operating Officer, Crystal Cruises, Inc.; Mark Warren, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Norwegian Cruise Line/NCL America; and Michael Crye, President, International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL).  The following cruise line and cruise industry representatives were also in attendance: Tom Dow, Vice-President of  Public Affairs, Carnival Corporation & PLC; Dan Grausz, Senior Vice-President of Fleet Operations, Holland America Line; Jim Stockton, Executive Counsel, Legal Department, Disney Cruise Line; Angela Plott, Vice-President, ICCL; Christine Fischer, Director of Communications, ICCL; and Tandi Bondi, Associate, Alcalde & Fay.  The Chairman, Commissioners and staff from all of the Commission’s offices and bureaus were briefed on industry service and growth, industry values and the threats and challenges of security and world events on industry performance.    

             The ICCL panel briefing furthered Chairman Blust’s goal of broadening the Commission’s understanding of the events and issues shaping the various segments of the maritime industry.  Chairman Blust stated that, “the ICCL industry briefing affords the Commission the benefit of hearing directly from the leaders of a trade association and a number of cruise lines regarding the many dynamic developments confronting the cruise industry.”  Chairman Blust announced that future industry briefings will continue to be scheduled with other segments of the industry. 

*   *   *   *   *