Disney Cruise Line brings Bahamian student chefs and cadets aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Destiny
University of The Bahamas culinary students toured the Disney Dream's galley and met its chefs, while 38 LJM Maritime Academy cadets saw the Disney Destiny's engine room and bridge. Disney Cruise Line's free Leading Light Programme has also expanded from Eleuthera to Abaco.
Disney Cruise Line has been bringing Bahamian students aboard its ships to show them careers at sea. Culinary students from University of The Bahamas met the chefs aboard the Disney Dream, and a group of LJM Maritime Academy cadets toured the engine room and bridge of the Disney Destiny.
Key Details
- Ships: Disney Dream (culinary students) and Disney Destiny (maritime cadets)
- Schools: University of The Bahamas and LJM Maritime Academy
- Cadets aboard the Destiny: 38
Student chefs go behind the scenes on the Disney Dream
University of The Bahamas culinary students met the ship's chefs and watched a signature dish being made.
- Culinary Week. The visit marked the university's Culinary Week, run by its College of Tourism, Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Leisure Management, known as The CALM.
- Career talks. Students spoke with Chef Andras and Chef Kamben about the culinary jobs available at sea.
- Anyone Can Cook. They joined the line's Anyone Can Cook demonstration, led by Chef Khemraj and Chef Antoine, and watched a signature dish come together.
- Since 2019. The line has hosted culinary students for career conversations and behind-the-scenes galley tours on its ships since 2019.
Dean Mario Adderly of The CALM says Disney Cruise Line has been a major sponsor of The CALM Week for a number of years, and that the ship tour is a highlight of that support for students.
"The opportunity allows University of The Bahamas students to see the workings of front of house, back of house and food and beverage operations in real time," Adderly said.
Maritime cadets tour the Disney Destiny's engine room and bridge
LJM Maritime Academy cadets saw how a Disney ship actually runs, and the tour ended with a famous captain.
- A long partnership. Disney Cruise Line supports scholarships and summer programming at LJM Maritime Academy, a Bahamian school that trains future mariners.
- Engine room. The cadets met the ship's Engineering Officer, who took them through the engine room.
- On the bridge. A stop on the bridge showed them how the ship is navigated and steered.
- Surprise guest. The tour ended with a visit from Captain Mickey Mouse.
Leading Light Programme grows from Eleuthera to Abaco
Beyond ship tours, the line pays for free hospitality and job-readiness courses through University of The Bahamas.
- Free courses. The Leading Light Programme offers hospitality, management and job-readiness courses at no cost to participants.
- Where it began. It launched in 2024 on Eleuthera, the island that is home to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, the line's second Bahamian destination.
- Now in Abaco. The programme has expanded to students in Abaco, the island group where Castaway Cay, the line's first private island, sits.
- The organizer. Leslie Lopez, the line's HR manager for The Bahamas, plays a key role in running these programs.
"As a Bahamian myself, I understand the meaning of the opportunities provided by Disney to support the career paths of young people in The Bahamas," Lopez said.
The same work sent the first Bahamian students to Walt Disney World
Lopez also helped bring the first-ever group of Bahamian students into a Disney Program at Walt Disney World.
- Their roles. The students worked in food and beverage, custodial and merchandise roles across Walt Disney World.
- Beyond work. They attended seminars with Disney leaders, volunteered through Disney VoluntEARS and explored local Florida highlights.
- A ship visit. The group also toured the Disney Wish.
Disney Programs give students and recent graduates professional and leadership development through Disney's learning and internship programs, aimed at careers in hospitality, tourism and beyond.
Community work in The Bahamas dates to 1998
Disney Cruise Line presents these programs as part of its long-running work in the Bahamian ports it visits.
- Since 1998. The line has worked with the port communities where it sails, The Bahamas included, since its first sailings in 1998.
- Many initiatives. Its community work spans education, youth and other local programs across the islands.
- Where to follow. Updates appear on DisneyExperiences.com and on the Disney Cruise Line Crew and Community page on Facebook.
