Martin Aquatic Sets Sail on the IAAPA Summit: Latin America | Caribbean

The Martin Aquatic team who attended IAAPA Summit: Latin America | Caribbean enjoyed multiple days of educational sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, and networking events in a one-of-a-kind setting. Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, the entire delegation embarked on a 4-night cruise to some of the most visited Aquatic Leisure Destinations in the Caribbean, including Perfect Day at CocoCay, for which Martin Aquatic served as the Aquatic Masterplanner.

After embarking in Miami, the trip started the second day with an all-access pass to CocoCay, thanks to the hospitality of Royal Caribbean’s team who offered every conference attendee free admission to its Thrill Waterpark and adults-only area Hideaway Beach. After exploring the island on their own, the IAAPA group was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Thrill Waterpark led by Royal Caribbean’s on-island managers and team members from Martin Aquatic.

Day 3 was packed with tours of Nassau’s great resorts—Atlantis Paradise Island and Baha Bay Waterpark. The IAAPA team arranged for private tours and educational sessions at both properties, but our team also managed to squeeze in another excursion. Just a short ferry ride from the cruise pier is one of our newest Martin Aquatic-designed projects, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. This narrow strip of land packs in multiple pools, beaches, and F&B outlets, including the world’s largest swim-up bar!

Our final day at sea was reserved for the great educational sessions IAAPA is known for delivering, with Martin Aquatic presenting the keynote session. Our own president & creative director, Josh Martin, teamed up with Chris Grap, our VP of Martin Aquatic’s experiential design division, Ectovox, to discuss how the cruise industry offers an unmatched customer experience. Then, the team was joined by a panel of experts to weigh in on what resorts and operators can do to make their properties more like a “cruise on land.” Special thanks to Royal Caribbean’s Neva Heaston, WhiteWater’s Jordanna Bower, and Life Floor’s Jonathan Keller for partnering with us to share their insights!

The entire Latin America / Caribbean Team at IAAPA created an exceptional event in a “first-ever” environment that delivered immersive tour experiences, enlightening looks behind the scenes, and valuable networking opportunities. Our team at Martin Aquatic was grateful to connect with longtime industry partners and make new friends from around the world aboard Wonder of the Seas.