Caribbean tourism officials and cruise executives gathered aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas in Miami this earlier month to discuss the cruise industry’s role in hurricane recovery and long-term regional resilience, according to event organizers.
The “Iconic Summit” took place during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) second annual Caribbean Weekend, following Hurricane Melissa’s impact on several Caribbean destinations in October.
Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley outlined the company’s response to the storm, including the delivery of more than 100 pallets of supplies, generators, food and water to Jamaica’s port of Falmouth and support for distribution efforts and community meals in affected areas.
“I think over the years we’ve always tried to support the Caribbean communities. Especially in times of crisis, we answer the phone, and we try our best,” Bayley said in a discussion with CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper.
CTO chairman Ian Gooding-Edghill, who also serves as Barbados’ minister of tourism and international transport, thanked Royal Caribbean and regional partners for their support to Jamaica and Haiti after the storm.
He used the summit to call for deeper cooperation between governments and the private sector, and for growth strategies that prioritize local communities and are informed by stronger data and connectivity.
Bayley urged destinations to undertake “master planning” to better manage sustainable tourism development and highlighted opportunities to expand employment pathways for Caribbean youth, including talks with labor ministers and industry leaders to address barriers to workforce participation. He also referenced Royal Caribbean Group’s focus on environmental technologies, shore power and resilient port infrastructure.
Organizers noted that, despite the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Caribbean welcomed millions of cruise visitors in 2025, underscoring the industry’s importance to local economies and jobs and the need to embed resilience into future planning.
The summit also featured cultural programming, including a Wizard of Oz performance and an appearance by the ship’s “Chief Dog Officer,” Rover, alongside a broader message that “tourism is everyone’s business.”
Photo: CTO Chairman Ian Gooding-Edghill (left) with Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley after the Iconic Summit
