In April, Niamh and Kerrie made the annual pilgrimage to Miami for Seatrade Cruise Global which as always started with a bang at the Seatrade Kick-Off Party. The renowned spectacle is in its tenth year and as always was hosted by SMS, Excursions Ireland and Destination North America at the iconic Smith and Wollenskys on Miami Beach. A huge success in general, the highlight of the evening for many was when EI’s very own Niamh McCarthy took the mic and entertained the crowd with an energetic rendition of Bruno Mars’ Just the Way You Are and thankfully, colleagues and friends in the cruise industry do seem to think Niamh is amazing just the way she is, in spite of her questionable vocal artistry.
The Seatrade week continued with a stream of events bringing together industry colleagues from around the world. Some sorry heads from Cruise Ireland got together the day after the kick-off party to start off the week with some patriotic camaraderie and on Monday the ladies joined fellow TWLGO (The World’s Leading Ground Operators) members for the AGM. As Monday unfolded it was filled with networking and friendships as the well-attended Cruise Europe event was followed by the well-attended TWLGO event.
Tuesday marked the beginning of the Seatrade Cruise Global Exhibition itself where Excursions Ireland had a home on the Ireland stand and the TWLGO stand and even the Malta stand if they were stuck. The three days of the show were packed full of meetings with clients, where professional relationships were strengthened and friendships were fortified. As always the Cruise Ireland Cocktail Party on the Ireland stand was a hit with all in attendance, due in part – a large part – to the fact that it was sponsored by Titanic Distillers. Those enjoying a tipple were also entertained, not by Niamh but by the wonderfully talented trio, One for the Foxes. As if the Irish needed an excuse to continue the party after the exhibition closed that evening, all Cruise Ireland members were invited to the Global Ports Holding Party at the W Hotel, South Beach.
The Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 exhibition ended on Thursday and Niamh and Kerrie joined Debs & Jeremy from ID Tours New Zealand for their annual end of Seatrade dinner where they relax and wind down with good friends to celebrate a special week.
