OCHO RIOS, Jamaica – Carnival Corporation & plc recently hosted 44 top-performing students from the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) for an exclusive ship visit aboard the Carnival Horizon docked in Ocho Rios. The group included 22 students from the Marine Transportation program and 22 from the Marine Engineering program. Timed to commemorate World Maritime Day 2024, this event underscored Carnival Corporation’s ongoing investment in the Caribbean’s maritime sector and strong partnership with CMU, initiated through a March 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The Caribbean Maritime University student group on the Carnival HorizonThe visit began with an educational session led by senior ship officials covering various aspects of cruise ship operations. Following this, the marine transportation students received a tour that was focused on the bridge, while the marine engineering students received a tour of the engine control room. This immersive experience in cruise ship operations and management was designed to inspire future maritime leaders to integrate innovation and sustainability into their careers as well as to enhance their maritime education with real-world application.
Professor Andrew Spencer, President of Caribbean Maritime University, remarked, “This collaboration with Carnival Corporation provided our students a vital opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world practice. Experiencing cruise operations firsthand offered invaluable insights that will shape their future careers. We are grateful for Carnival’s commitment to developing the next generation of maritime professionals.”
This experience opened the eyes of the students to the vast opportunities in the cruise industry. Various students remarked that seeing the inner workings of a cruise ship and interacting with the people who run it gave them a whole new perspective.
This initiative is part of Carnival Corporation’s broader efforts to support maritime education and professional development in the Caribbean. It aims to help position the region as a growing hub for cruise industry talent.
For more information about Carnival Corporation’s commitment to Caribbean youth development, visit carnivalcorp.com.
