The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) announced the appointment of Disney Cruise Line’s Russell Daya as the their latest Operations Committee Chairman. Daya is the director of global operations & developments and itinerary planning for Disney Cruise Line. Daya will bring 37 years of maritime experience to the role. He joined Disney Cruise Line in 1998 as manager of marine operations. From 2002 to 2003, Daya served as staff captain onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. In recent years, He has served on the executive team at DCL’s UK offices.
Daya’s agenda for the coming year is focused on keeping the organization effective and relevant while continuing to build on the already strong relationships with destination ports and member cruise lines.
Colin Murphy, senior vice president of destination & port operations for Norwegian Cruise Line feels confident that Daya will effectively lead the committee. Murphy served as chairman for the past two years.
According to announcement, Daya constantly proves his unwavering dedication to the Committee and FCCA’s Platinum Members and partner destinations through his invaluable interaction, participation, information and assistance at FCCA meetings and events. These efforts exhibit his commitment to the Committee’s functions: discussing cruise industry issues, such as tourism development, ports, safety and security; fostering an understanding of the industry and its practices; building bilateral relationships with FCCA’s partner destinations’ private and public sectors; maximizing cruise passenger, cruise line and cruise line employee spending; and enhancing the destination experience and amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.
Daya’s wealth of experience and knowledge applies to all of these goals. In both his Disney Cruise Line and FCCA Operations Committee roles, he provides direction and support for port and security operations; maintains and develops government and port relationships; and works with port developments and itinerary planning.
Prior to his roles with DCL, Daya was a captain for Stena Line Cruise Ferries for various European routes for seven years.