IN a continued effort to improve the island’s $100-million cruise shipping industry, the Florida Caribbean Cruise Ship Association (FCCA) recently engaged over 200 industry workers in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios in a day-long training session.

The area covered included service excellence, cruise passengers equal profits and taxi pride.

According to general manager of cruise shipping in Jamaica, William Tatham, the training sessions, which have been ongoing in the island for a number of years now, have been hugely beneficial to the industry.

“It keeps those attending in tune with what service excellence is all about. It keeps us competitive,” Tatham told the Observer.

“Participants are exposed to a high level of training provided by industry… and the FCCA has been expanding and revising them (training courses) and making them better and stronger,” he added.

The training sessions, which exposed participants to the wants, needs and habits of today’s cruise passengers, was conducted in Ocho Rios on May 30 at the Jamaica Grande Hotel and in Montego Bay on May 31 at the Cruise Ship Terminal.

The sessions in Montego Bay attracted more than 130 participants from the industry and close to 100 in Ocho Rios.

“Our main objective is to increase the satisfaction level of our cruise passengers. And in the long run, to produce greater profits and convert cruise passengers into return stop over guests,” said Sharon Williams, who helped to organise the training sessions.

The training sessions will continue but for the moment, both Tatham and Williams have said that the focus is on preparations for the upcoming annual FCCA Trade Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Aruba from October 2 to 5.

The show customarily features the 13 FCCA member-cruise lines that showcase their offerings to cruise passengers. It also provides an opportunity for participants to meet and forge partnerships with cruise executives and exchange ideas on the new and current trends in the industry.