Making Waves
Porthole Cruise Magazine|December 2017

A Day in the Life of Tom McAlpin, president and CEO of Virgin Voyages.

Fran Golden
Making Waves

TOM MCALPIN, A 30-Y EAR CRUISE industry veteran, is now overseeing the creation of a whole new cruise line from the ground up. It’s no small task for the president and CEO of Virgin Voyages.

The first of the line’s three 2,700-plus passenger, 110,000 gross ton ships won’t launch from Miami until 2020, but things are certainly already buzzing at the line’s Plantation, Florida, headquarters.

New employees are being hired; creative teams are delivering ideas. You might say a big family is developing. And big families happen to be in McAlpin’s wheelhouse.

LIFE LESSONS _ A fifth-generation Miamian, McAlpin has eight brothers and sisters — and most of the family still lives in southern Florida.

“I am number 6, so I consider myself to be in the neglected middle section,” he laughed. “I think my mother has one high school photo of me.” McAlpin said that he loved growing up in a big family and that he learned certain life lessons early on.

“I think it teaches you really important lessons — how to get along with people, how to negotiate and settle conflict, and teamwork. These are skills I brought to Virgin Voyages because I’m a big believer that it’s all about building the right team and culture,” he said. “And, of course, to be competitive.”

More lessons came from Disney, where McAlpin helped launch Disney Cruise Line. As part of the founding management team in the role of vice president of finance, business development, and shoreside travel operations, he spent the final five years of his time with the line as its president. Later he was president and CEO of The World (Residences at Sea), the largest private residential cruise ship.

Bu hikaye Porthole Cruise Magazine dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Porthole Cruise Magazine dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

PORTHOLE CRUISE MAGAZINE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
GALAPAGOS OF THE EAST
Porthole Cruise and Travel

GALAPAGOS OF THE EAST

Koalas are just the beginning on Australia’s fauna-rich Kangaroo Island.

time-read
5 dak  |
July/August 2021
PLUG IN AND POWER UP!
Porthole Cruise and Travel

PLUG IN AND POWER UP!

More and more, ports and cruise lines are working together to keep the lights on and keep the pollution down

time-read
4 dak  |
July/August 2021
Making Up For Lost Time
Porthole Cruise and Travel

Making Up For Lost Time

After everything we’ve been through, who’s saying no to a postpandemic world cruise or grand voyage offering months at sea?

time-read
5 dak  |
July/August 2021
MEXICO'S COASTAL ESCAPES
Porthole Cruise and Travel

MEXICO'S COASTAL ESCAPES

With Mexico rolling out the red carpet and opening flight borders to Americans, now is the time to redeem the pent-up wanderlust of the last year.

time-read
4 dak  |
July/August 2021
Countess In!
Porthole Cruise and Travel

Countess In!

Porthole Cruise and Travel enjoys slice after slice of Americana while sailing the new American Countess.

time-read
5 dak  |
July/August 2021
The Joy of St. Croix
Porthole Cruise and Travel

The Joy of St. Croix

Of all the Caribbean vibes, St. Croix’s is unique.

time-read
4 dak  |
July/August 2021
Unique Hotel Boutiques
Porthole Cruise and Travel

Unique Hotel Boutiques

Gone are the days of sad hotel gift shops that sold little but after thoughts. Today’s hotel shopping is varied and eclectic, offering status items and one-of-a-kind finds alike.

time-read
3 dak  |
July/August 2021
Sipping on the Sand
Porthole Cruise Magazine

Sipping on the Sand

The unique beach bars near South Florida’s cruise ports are a perfect reflection of the shorelines they represent.

time-read
1 min  |
March/April 2021
St. Thomas, Sophisticated
Porthole Cruise Magazine

St. Thomas, Sophisticated

A former cruise director revisits the tiny, charming paradise he adored...only to find even more to love.

time-read
4 dak  |
March/April 2021
Traditional Tlingit Tastes
Porthole Cruise Magazine

Traditional Tlingit Tastes

In Hoonah, Alaska, food is about much more than just what's on the plate.

time-read
5 dak  |
March/April 2021