Executives from Skål International, the world’s largest professional association of senior travel and tourism executives, recently gathered at Carnival Cruise Lines’ headquarters in Miami to finalize details for the organization’s first-ever World Congress at sea taking place aboard Carnival Glory this fall.

More than 1,200 Skål delegates -- who hail from all corners of the globe -- will convene aboard the 110,000-ton cruise ship during a seven-day cruise that departs New York’s Manhattan Passenger Terminal Sept. 28 and returns Oct. 5, 2013.

During the week-long voyage, Skål delegates can attend a wide range of association meetings, seminars, breakout sessions and networking opportunities, while experiencing Carnival Glory’s numerous dining, entertainment and activity options.  Special shore excursions are planned for Skål members during port calls in Boston; Portland, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia, along with pre- and post-cruise land tours in New York City.

Pictured here at Carnival’s Miami offices are (from left):  Carnival’s Operations Account Executive Victoria Capps and Senior Director of Sailing Support Susy Sarasua; TIMM Group President John J. Ruzich; and Carnival’s Vice President of Guest Services and Support Vicky Rey, and Director of Charters, Meetings and Incentives Damian Fernandez.

Commented 2013 Skål International President Mok Singh, “Bringing more than 1,200 travel professionals from all over the globe to attend our World Congress is always a challenge. Having it on a cruise ship for the first time in the history of Skal presents a great opportunity to showcase cruise conferences. We are confident that Carnival and their team will do an outstanding job for our membership."

Skål International today has approximately 18,000 members in almost 450 clubs throughout 85 nations. Most activities occur at local level, moving up through National Committees, under the umbrella of Skål International, headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain.

A special website, Skal2013WorldCongress.com, has been created to present all of the Congress information to SKÅL members, and continual updates will be available on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information on the Skål World Congress, visit www.Skal2013WorldCongress.com. For more information on New York City, visit www.nycgo.com

Additional information on the Carnival Glory is available at www.carnival.com.