Disney Cruise Line Supports Career Exploration Programs for Students Throughout the Caribbean

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Hundreds of students across the Caribbean are exploring maritime and hospitality careers in new and exciting ways as part of Disney Cruise Line’s Treasure Tomorrow program. The cruise line launched the initiative to expand its commitment to creating lasting, positive impacts in the port communities it calls home throughout the Caribbean and supports career exploration programs for students in each port the Disney Treasure visits.

“Disney Cruise Line is proud to invest in youth programming that positively impacts the Caribbean communities we visit all year long,” said Joey Gaskins, Regional Public Affairs Director, The Bahamas and Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line. “We believe empowering young minds today builds a more resilient tomorrow, driving innovation and opportunity for generations to come.”

Empowering youth in Tortola

Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is a nonprofit that engages students from high schools across the British Virgin Islands in community-based mentoring, employment readiness and enrichment programs. YEP’s Learning, Earning and Advancing Dreams (LEAD) workforce program provides an opportunity for high school students to learn about careers in hospitality, tourism and culinary arts.

While the Disney Treasure was recently docked in Tortola, high school students from YEP boarded the ship to meet Disney crew members and officers and learn about their career paths and roles on board. One of the students, Khala Mathavious said, “I appreciate this experience. It was really educational and beneficial to understand how many teams it takes to operate a cruise ship.”

During the ship tour, some of the LEAD students expressed interest in becoming a ship captain, like the Disney Treasure’s Captain Marco Nogara, who visited the students and shared his experiences as a ship captain and gave insights about the maritime industry. Meanwhile, the ship’s Executive Chef, Goran Milinic, brought the students on a behind-the-scenes galley tour at Plaza de Coco, one of rotational dining restaurants aboard.

Student Rhianna James said, “I couldn’t believe the head chef of the whole cruise spoke with us about how the team works together to serve guests and how many meals are prepared each day. It was an inspiring experience, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.”

Throughout the day, the students met shipboard leaders in a variety of roles, including human resources, merchandise, food and beverage and entertainment.

Encouraging student entrepreneurship in Falmouth and Grand Cayman

Junior Achievement teaches students about business principles by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. As part of Treasure Tomorrow, Disney Cruise Line is sponsoring a Junior Achievement career exploration program focused on different aspects of maritime and hospitality business.

In Georgetown, Grand Cayman, students boarded the Disney Treasure earlier this month to learn firsthand from Disney cast and crew members about careers in the maritime, creative and entertainment industries. During their time on board, the students met Chief Security Officer Ryan Miller, who explained how Disney Cruise Line and ports from around the world work together to create a safe, seamless and enjoyable experience for guests. Assistant Cruise Director David Hunt also joined the students to talk about his career path.

“It means a lot to me to share my journey and experiences with students who are interested in pursuing a career at sea. Before I joined Disney Cruise Line, I didn’t know about all of the incredible opportunities available to me, so being able to help guide and advise the next generation is exciting,” Hunt said.

Throughout the school year, Disney Cruise Line partnered with Junior Achievement Jamaica to host weekly virtual sessions for high school students showcasing a variety of shipboard and shoreside roles on the Disney Treasure. Following the virtual sessions, the students embarked on a special day aboard the ship and met with the Disney crew members they had been learning from virtually.

“We are grateful for this collaboration with Disney Cruise Line. Our students were so excited to step aboard the Disney Treasure and see first-hand the types of career opportunities that await them in the future,” said Callia Smith- Harriott, executive director, Junior Achievement Jamaica. “I believe this experience with the Disney Cruise Line team will help drive home the skills we teach in this program.”

Fostering connections to conservation in St. Thomas

Friends of Virgin Islands National Park in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands works to protect the unique resources of Virgin Islands National Park. Through its School Kids in the Park (SKIP) program, crew members from the Disney Treasure crew will soon work side-by-side with students to patrol beaches for sea turtle activity during nesting season, fostering awareness of sea turtle conservation.

Disney Cruise Line’s Treasure Tomorrow investment will continue to support programming in these Caribbean communities throughout the year and beyond.

Learn more about Disney Cruise Line’s community initiatives by visiting Disney Cruise Line Crew & Community on Facebook or DCLNews.com.

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