January 5, 2026

Happy New Year from Team MPE

FCCA Platinum Cruise Summit sets sail

Marie McKenzie, FCCA Operations Committee chair and Carnival Corporation & plc senior vice president, discusses cruise tourism during last January’s PAMAC Cruise Summit aboard MSC Divina

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Platinum Cruise Summit gets underway today, bringing together cruise executives and Platinum Members for a week of high-level engagement aboard Carnival Glory. 

Departing from Port Canaveral near Orlando, the voyage features curated networking, strategic meetings and industry discussions while calling at Celebration Key and Nassau, Bahamas.

Designed to foster direct dialogue and collaboration between destination partners and cruise leaders, the Platinum Cruise remains a cornerstone of FCCA’s efforts to strengthen relationships, advance shared priorities and support sustainable tourism growth across Caribbean and Latin American destinations.

Dance, discipline and distinction: CMEx honors Carole Alexis

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We continue our spotlight on the 2025 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx)laureates, who were celebrated in Miami last month.

The event was an exceptional experience, shining a well-deserved light on the crème de la crème of Caribbean excellence.

Today, we present remarks from Carole Alexis of Martinique, an internationally acclaimed choreographer, director, pedagogue and Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (France).

At just 13 years old in her native Martinique, Alexis was commissioned to choreograph for the Festival de Fort-de-France, working with a company of professional dancers. In 2011, she founded Ballet des Amériques, a professional dance company and ballet conservatory whose work is regularly presented across the greater New York City area, as well as on national and international stages.

Having lived and trained in Martinique, Brittany, Senegal and Paris, Alexis has developed a distinctive choreographic écriture that explores themes of music, nature, history and human interaction.

St. Kitts and Nevis takes the helm of CARICOM

Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister, St. Kitts and Nevis

Quotable Caribbean

“My mouth shall be the mouth of those calamities that have no mouth, my voice the freedom of those who collapse in the dungeon of despair.” — Aimé Césaire, Martinican poet, playwright and politician

Tink Bout It

“The stone which the builders refused has become the head stone of the corner.” — Psalm 118:22

Medical Moment

Understanding Chronic Constipation and Digestive Health

As the new year gets underway, it’s an opportune time to revisit the importance of Constipation Awareness Month, observed each December by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). The observance shone a light on chronic constipation, its impact on daily life and practical ways to manage it effectively.

Constipation is a common digestive condition often characterized by:

• Fewer than three bowel movements per week
• Hard, dry or lumpy stools
• Difficulty or pain when passing stool
• A feeling of incomplete evacuation

If left untreated, chronic constipation can lead to ongoing discomfort, pain and other complications. Beyond the physical effects, it may also contribute to emotional distress, anxiety and a reduced quality of life.

The good news is that simple lifestyle changes — such as staying well hydrated, eating a fiber-rich diet and exercising regularly — can significantly improve digestive health and overall well-being.

Here’s to a healthier year ahead, supported by awareness, prevention and better digestive well-being.

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