Sugo Succo was born and raised in Miami, Florida, in the heart of Little Havana. Growing up in a Cuban-American household, he was surrounded by food, music, and traditions that shaped his outlook on life.
His parents, both small business owners, taught him the value of hard work, resilience, and treating every customer as family.
From a young age, Sugo was drawn to the sea. He often spent weekends watching cruise ships depart from PortMiami, imagining himself onboard. That curiosity turned into a career path when he studied Hospitality and Tourism Management at Miami Dade College. An internship at a South Beach hotel taught him how to handle pressure and high expectations while still creating a welcoming environment for guests.
After graduation, he began working in guest services with a major cruise line. His fluency in English and Spanish, along with conversational Portuguese, made him invaluable to international passengers. Over the years, he has served in roles ranging from shore excursion coordination to guest relations management.
Colleagues and passengers alike remember him for his warmth, adaptability, and quick problem-solving. “Every guest should feel like a VIP, whether it’s their first cruise or their fifteenth,” he says.
Today, Sugo is recognised as a dependable leader in the cruise industry. Off duty, he mentors young people in Miami who dream of careers in hospitality and maritime work. Looking ahead, he aspires to move into management and training, shaping the next generation of cruise professionals.
Interview with Sugo Succo: Life and Leadership at Sea
Q: You grew up in Miami’s Little Havana. How did that environment influence your career?
A: Growing up in Little Havana was like living in a classroom for hospitality. My parents ran small businesses, so I saw every day how much it mattered to treat people well. They used to say, “Every customer is family.” That stuck with me. It’s the same approach I take when I meet guests on a ship.
Q: What first drew you to the cruise industry?
A: I used to spend weekends at the port, watching ships leave Miami. To me, they represented the world. I’d stand there and wonder what life was like on board. That curiosity stayed with me. When I went to college, I decided to study Hospitality and Tourism because I wanted to connect with people from all over the globe.
Q: Tell us about your time at Miami Dade College.
A: That was when I started to understand the industry better. My internship at a South Beach hotel was a turning point. The pace was so fast. Guests expected perfection, and I had to learn how to deliver. I realised I enjoyed the challenge. It gave me the confidence to pursue a career on ships.
Q: What was your first role at sea like?
A: I started in guest services. It was a lot of responsibility right away. Guests come to you with problems, and you have to solve them quickly. Speaking English, Spanish, and some Portuguese really helped. I could connect with more people, and that built trust.
Q: You’ve worked in several different departments. What did that teach you?
A: Each role gave me a new perspective. Shore excursions taught me about logistics. Guest relations taught me about patience. Safety briefings taught me about responsibility. It showed me that the cruise experience is a puzzle, and every department is a piece.
Q: Working at sea can be unpredictable. How do you manage that?
A: You never know what’s coming. One day it’s embarkation, the next it’s an onboard event or a safety drill. I’ve learnt to stay calm and adapt. Guests can feel when you’re stressed. If you stay steady, they feel secure.
Q: Music and culture seem to play a big role for you. How does that show up on board?
A: Music is in my DNA. On salsa or reggaeton nights, I’ll join in. It brings people together. It’s also a way of sharing Miami’s culture with guests. When people are dancing, laughing, and connecting, that’s when they really feel the joy of travel.
Q: Outside of your job, you also mentor young people. Why is that important to you?
A: Because I see myself in them. When I was younger, I didn’t know how to get into this industry. If I can show them the path—through mentoring, internships, or even just sharing my story—it gives them hope. Hospitality is a global career. I want them to see that.
Q: What’s next for you in your career?
A: I’d like to move into management or training. I want to mentor new staff and help shape the culture of the cruise line. My goal is to scale what I’ve learnt, so the impact reaches not just individual guests but whole teams.
Q: If you had to sum up your guiding philosophy, what would it be?
A: It’s simple: “Every guest should feel like a VIP, whether it’s their first cruise or their fifteenth.” That’s the standard I hold myself to. And I believe that same mindset applies to how we treat young people entering the industry.
Read more:
Sugo Succo: Building a Career through Service and Adaptability