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1999

Hilton Resorts, Hawaii

Michael completes three years as the analyst at Hilton Resorts Hawaii in Honolulu, where he completed the annual business plan for the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the world’s largest resort. He assists in development planning throughout the region on world-famous hotels.

2000

Royal Caribbean

For three years as a manager in Commercial Development and Capital Planning at Royal Caribbean, Michael manages the corporate capital plan, as well as aspects of construction of new homeports at Port of Miami and the Port of San Juan, key for the new Voyager-class of ships, the world’s largest.

2001

Blue Crest is Born

Michael embarks on his own and forms Global Destinations, today known as Blue Crest. His goal is to capitalize on his background in feasibility and business planning to develop projects throughout the Caribbean, as both an advisor and principal.

2002

The Stingray Experience

The Stingray Swim experience at Blackbeard’s Cay (Balmoral Island), Nassau, Bahamas, opens under his advisory. The new stingray experience elevates visitation from 5,000 annual visitors to over 20,000.

2003

St. Lawrence Experience

Over a two-year period, Michael identifies new destinations suitable for cruise development in the St. Lawrence region of Canada, working for multiple government entities and associations. Later, several ports he recommended for cruise tourism are opened.

2004

Cozumel, Mexico

In partnership with Idea, Inc. and Royal Caribbean, the firm opens the Rodeo del Sol experience right next to the Puerta Maya docks in Cozumel, Mexico.

2005

Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Icy Strait Point, Alaska opens to great fanfare. Michael was the marketing director for the new port, which is the first in Alaska in years and Native Alaskan-owned. He introduced the port to the travel industry in a multiyear marketing program which he formulated.

2006

Carnival Corporation

Michael consults for Carnival Corporation on the new destination at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. Michael leads the creative planning for the three island heritage locations: the Lighthouse, the Salt Company, and the Historic Prison. Grand Turk becomes one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations.

2007

Hilton Hotel, Aruba

In partnership with Hilton, Michael leads the bid to develop a five-star beachfront hotel in Aruba. Although the initiative was successfully capitalized, the team unfortunately places second place in the government land bid after a two-year effort.

2008

Mahogany Bay

For Carnival Corporation’s important new project, Michael is the initial lead development consultant on what becomes Carnival’s largest port investment worldwide. He completes land planning, conceptual design, and branding for the project, which he named Mahogany Bay.

2009

Port of Roatan, Honduras

Michael organizes and implements a new destination marketing program for Royal Caribbean and its Port of Roatan, Honduras, which hosts the 5,400-passenger Oasis-class of vessels.

2010

Hilton Resort, Bimini

In The Bahamas, Michael advises on the business plan and financing for the Hilton Resort planned for the island of Bimini.

2011

Prince Rupert, BC

Michael is retained by the Port Authority (Federal Government) of Canada to complete a review and recommendations for improved cruise tourism for the port of Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

2012

Port Falmouth, Jamaica

Michael and his partners organize and complete an equity investment in the Port of Falmouth, Jamaica, the largest cruise development in the Caribbean at that time and a partnership with majority owner Royal Caribbean.

2013

Veragua, Costa Rica

Michael acquires the Veragua Rainforest in Limon, Costa Rica, and organizes the business’ turnaround with his Costa Rican partner. New marketing efforts and product offerings facilitate a tripling in revenue, with visitors surpassing 30,000 annually five years later.

2014

Banana Coast, Caribbean

After several years of planning and construction, Banana Coast, the Caribbean’s newest cruise port opens in Trujillo, Honduras, as a tender-port operation and themed destination. As a principal, Michael leads many aspects of planning, design, branding, and marketing.

2016

Starwood Hotels, Aruba

As general partner and sponsor, Michael initiates the effort to develop the W hotel in Palm Beach, Aruba with Starwood Hotels. (After two years, the project is discontinued upon Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood.)

2018

Advisor, Antigua & Barbuda

As an advisor to the Government of Antigua & Barbuda for years, Michael plays a key role in creating the master plan and feasibility study for the expansion of the cruise docks in St. John’s. The dock extension is completed, elevating arrivals.

2022

Grand Bahama Shipyard

As an economic consultant, Michael contributes to the entitlement process leading to the $665 million financing and revitalization of the shipyard. Two new dry docks, among the world’s largest, are under construction and will be installed on site in 2025 and 2026.

2023

Celebration Key, Bahamas

For Carnival Corporation’s new Celebration Key, Michael advises Carnival on the project vision, business plan and design. The $700 million project opened in 2025, representing the largest cruise port investment in history. By 2028, the destination is expected to host four million cruisers annually.

2025

Veragua Rainforest Park, Costa Rica

The partners expand their rainforest park, with a new 20-room “Researchers Station” hotel slated for completion in 2026. Additionally, an agreement with international retailer Morpho Travel yielded the 2025 opening of one of the highest quality Gift Shops on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast in the eco-park.

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