When we think about Disney Cruise Line and The Bahamas, places like Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point usually come to mind. But Disney’s connection to the islands goes well beyond its cruise destinations, and some recent visits aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Destiny are a great example of that.
Disney Cruise Line has been working with educational institutions in The Bahamas to help students explore careers in hospitality, culinary arts, and the maritime industry. Recently, groups from the University of The Bahamas and LJM Maritime Academy had the opportunity to step aboard Disney ships, meet crew members, and get a firsthand look at what working at sea involves.
Bahamian Culinary Students Get a Look Inside the Disney Dream
As part of the University of The Bahamas Culinary Week, students from the College of Tourism, Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Leisure Management (The CALM) visited the Disney Dream for a behind-the-scenes look at the ship’s culinary operations.
They spent time speaking with Disney Cruise Line chefs about careers at sea and participated in an “Anyone Can Cook” demonstration. During the session, students watched Disney chefs prepare a signature dish, picked up professional cooking techniques, and had the chance to ask questions about working in the cruise industry.
Disney Cruise Line has been hosting culinary students for these experiences since 2019, giving them opportunities to see how the kitchens and dining operations function aboard its ships.
For students considering a career in hospitality, getting to see those operations in person can be quite different from learning about them in a classroom.
Future Maritime Professionals Tour the Disney Destiny
Another group of students recently got an equally interesting opportunity aboard the Disney Destiny.
Thirty-eight cadets from LJM Maritime Academy toured the ship, including a visit to the engine room with an Engineering Officer. They also visited the bridge to learn more about navigation and how a cruise ship is operated.
And because this is Disney Cruise Line, the visit included a special appearance by Captain Mickey Mouse!
Disney Cruise Line’s relationship with LJM Maritime Academy also includes support for scholarships and summer programs designed to introduce students to careers in the maritime industry.
Disney’s Support Extends Beyond Its Cruise Ships
These shipboard visits are part of a larger effort to create educational and career opportunities for Bahamians.
Through its partnership with the University of The Bahamas, Disney Cruise Line supports the Leading Light Programme, which offers free courses in hospitality, management, and job readiness. The program began in Eleuthera in 2024 and has since expanded to Abaco.
Disney has also welcomed its first group of Bahamian students into a Disney Program at Walt Disney World in Florida. Those students gained experience working in food and beverage, merchandise, and custodial roles throughout the resort.
In addition to their daily responsibilities, they participated in professional development seminars, volunteered in the community, and even toured the Disney Wish.
Leslie Lopez, Disney Cruise Line’s Manager of Human Resources in The Bahamas, has helped bring these opportunities together. As a Bahamian herself, she understands how meaningful these experiences can be for young people considering their future careers.
Disney Cruise Line has been visiting The Bahamas since 1998, and it’s encouraging to see the company continuing to invest in the communities that have been part of its story for so many years.
I think it’s especially nice to see young Bahamians getting opportunities to explore careers aboard the very ships that regularly visit their islands. Who knows? Some of these students could be the Disney Cruise Line chefs, engineers, or officers we’ll meet on future sailings!
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