A handover for the association’s 30th anniversary
MedCruise has appointed Anne-Marie Spinosi as its President. The association made the announcement, and The Tourism Lab also reported it. She has been Senior Vice-President since September 2024 and until now led the organisation’s public relations, events and partnerships.
She succeeds Theodora Riga, who becomes Honorary President. MedCruise paid tribute to the outgoing President’s commitment to the association.
The appointment comes as MedCruise marks its 30th anniversary. The association now represents 171 cruise ports and 77 associate members. It says the new term will build on collaboration between its members, strengthen partnerships and advance more sustainable cruising in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas.
A career that began in television
Anne-Marie Spinosi studied in France. She holds a bachelor’s degree (licence) in business and languages from the Faculty of Arts in Aix-en-Provence (2000), and she trained in communication and public relations at EFAP in Levallois-Perret (2001).
She first spent nearly ten years in television production, working on news and documentaries for M6 and France Télévisions. Only after that did she move into port development.
More than fifteen years promoting cruise tourism in Corsica
In October 2009, she joined the Bastia and Haute-Corse Chamber of Commerce and Industry as cruise coordinator. There she was responsible for promoting, developing and coordinating cruise activity in the ports of Haute-Corse: Bastia, Calvi, L’Île-Rousse and Saint-Florent.
She built partnerships, sought out new cruise lines and created shore experiences rooted in the island’s identity. One of the aims was to make the port of Bastia a recognised port of call for luxury cruise ships. Since January 2018, she has been cruise manager at the Corsica Chamber of Commerce.
Five years in leadership roles at MedCruise
She joined the MedCruise Board of Directors in November 2021 as Director of Events, with responsibility for the #PortsTogether initiative. The programme connects ports in 22 countries across three continents.
In September 2024, she was elected Senior Vice-President for a three-year term, in charge of public relations, events and partnerships. Her appointment as President is the next step in her work with the association.
A port-of-call specialist at the helm of the Mediterranean’s ports
Analysis – Anne-Marie Spinosi built her career at a small island port that bet on upscale cruising. MedCruise will therefore be led by a specialist in the relationship between destinations and cruise lines. The appointment comes as several cruise industry players change leadership, including Roberto Bruzzone’s appointment as President of MSC Cruises and the new leadership at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Analysis – For member ports, the new term will need to reconcile two goals: attracting cruise lines, and getting local communities to accept cruise calls. The second issue is often debated in Mediterranean destinations.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Anne-Marie Spinosi appointed President of MedCruise
Appointed in November 2026, succeeding Theodora Riga, now Honorary President
Previously Senior Vice-President (since September 2024), leading PR, Events and Partnerships
Cruise Manager at the Corsica Chamber of Commerce, Bastia, since 2018
MedCruise celebrates its 30th anniversary with 171 cruise ports and 77 associate members
Priorities: partnerships and sustainable cruise tourism across the Mediterranean
