The visits provided an opportunity for Carnival representatives and local stakeholders to meet aboard the ship, learn more about its operations and discuss areas of cooperation related to tourism and the communities that receive Carnival ships.
The programme was led by Sarah Beth Reno, Chief Operating Officer of Carnival Cruise Line, and Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Government and Destination Affairs for Carnival Corporation. The visits took place in Aruba on 18 August, Bonaire on 5 and 19 August, and Curaçao on 20 August.
Marie McKenzie joins Carnival executives, ship officers and representatives from Bonaire’s public and tourism sectors aboard Carnival Horizon during a working visit to Bonaire.
Carnival Horizon’s leadership team also participated in the programme. Representatives included Captain Rocco Lubrano, Chief Engineer Dinko Biskupovic, Hotel Director Steve Scandale, HR Director Claire Woodhouse and members of the wider shipboard team, who welcomed the visiting delegations.
The programme also included educational ship visits for students across all three islands, providing participants with the opportunity to learn about cruise ship operations and explore career opportunities in the cruise and hospitality sectors.
In Curaçao, Carnival welcomed hospitality students from the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre. The visit allowed students to observe cruise operations firsthand and connect their classroom studies with practical industry activity.
As part of the visits, Carnival worked with local tourism and port authorities on community and education initiatives.
In Aruba and Bonaire, Carnival Corporation supported local tourism and port partners through the Buki di Pret programme, working with the Aruba Tourism Authority, Aruba Ports Authority and Tourism Corporation Bonaire.
In Curaçao, the engagement focused on hospitality education through partnerships with the Curaçao Tourist Board and Curaçao Ports Authority, as well as through the visit involving students from the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre.
Reno said: “We value the relationships we have built with our partners across Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, and these visits provide an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and collaboration,” she said. “We also want to ensure that our engagement extends beyond the guest experience by supporting education and creating opportunities for students to learn more about the cruise industry.”
Marie McKenzie and Sarah Beth Reno join Curaçao government and tourism officials, students and Carnival Horizon crew for a group photo during the ship’s visit to Curaçao.
Marie McKenzie and Sarah Beth Reno join Curaçao government and tourism officials, students and Carnival Horizon crew for a group photo during the ship’s visit to Curaçao
The visits also brought together senior representatives from government, tourism organisations, port authorities and the private sector in each destination.
In Aruba, participants included Wendrick Cicilia, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Labor; Ronella Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority; and Marc Figaroa, CEO of Aruba Ports Authority, together with other government and tourism representatives.
In Bonaire, participants included Elesiër Angel, CEO of Tourism Corporation Bonaire; Veroesjka de Windt, CEO of BONHATA; and Gunther Flanegin, Harbor Master of Bonaire, along with representatives from the tourism sector.
In Curaçao, participants included Zulaika Mook, Senior Director of Economic Development and Innovation at the Ministry of Economic Development; Humberto de Castro, CEO of Curaçao Ports Authority; and Muryad de Bruin, Managing Director of the Curaçao Tourist Board. Representatives from Curaçao Ports Authority, Curaçao Tourist Board and Maduro Shipping also participated.
McKenzie said: “Strong destination partnerships are an important part of the cruise experience, and these visits allow us to engage directly with the people and organizations that help make each destination successful,” she said. “By bringing students aboard and supporting local education initiatives, we can help introduce the next generation to the many career opportunities available across the cruise and tourism industries.”
Carnival Corporation said its ongoing engagement with destinations across the Caribbean includes cooperation with local stakeholders on tourism, education and economic opportunities in communities visited by its ships.
Tags: Sarah Beth Reno, Carnival Cruise Line, Marie McKenzie, Carnival Corporation
