Laurent Monsaingeon named Seatrade Mediterranean Cruise Personality of the Year 17/12/2008 Laurent Monsaingeon, former president of the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MedCruise) and French Riviera Ports managing director, was named Seatrade’s Mediterranean Cruise Personality of the Year at the Seatrade Med Cruise, Ferry and Superyacht convention, celebrated in Venice last week. Over 800 delegates and exhibitors applauded as Laurent Monsaingeon, president of MedCruise from 2005-2008, was awarded this title, selected by Seatrade from nominations received. On honouring Laurent Monsaingeon, Seatrade managing director, Chris Hayman, said, “MedCruise is a strong and active port association group, which has seen a record increase in membership over the last three years. It is a unified family of 53 members representing 72 ports plus 20 associate members from around the region that stretches its boundaries from Batumi, Georgia, in the Black Sea to the Azores in the Atlantic. Laurent, who is stepping down this week to make way for a new president, will be passing over the reins of a proactive and well-organised association.” “It’s quite an honour to be given this award”, Monsaingeon stated, “as it has been an honour and a privilege to serve all my friends and colleagues that represent the many cruise ports of the Mediterranean and its neighbouring seas through MedCruise. Our association is strong thanks to our ports’ enthusiastic energy, active participation and commitment to quality. It has been very gratifying representing the ports and working directly with the cruise industry leaders that have set up the wonderful success story that is cruise shipping in the Mediterranean. “ “We, the ports, owe so much to the vision and achievements of the cruise line executives as they focused their efforts on the Mediterranean”, Monsaingeon added, “and to our savvy customers, the cruise passengers, who select our destinations, and of course, to Seatrade, for providing so many fantastic opportunities and forums for exchanging ideas and encouraging dialogue.” Laurent Monsaingeon receiving Seatrade Mediterranean Cruise Personality of the Year award.   From left to right: Mary Bond, editor, Seatrade Cruise Review; Laurent Monsaingeon, French Rivera Ports managing director; and Chris Hayman, managing director, Seatrade.