Disney Cruise Line announced a new initiative to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the maritime industry by funding scholarships to empower girls and young women to pursue careers in the cruise industry.
Under the initiative, Disney promoted Minnie Mouse to Captain, after 20 plus years of serving as First Mate.
In her new role, Minnie will oversee all new youth nautical programing with maritime scholarships for young leaders.
Beginning, in April 2019, Captain Minnie Mouse will sign on to her new role across the fleet to begin spreading the message of exploring new horizons, both by land and by sea.
Namely, within this year, Disney Cruise Line will sponsor four scholarships at the LJM Maritime Academy in The Bahamas for female cadets who aspire to be ship captains and shipboard leaders.
The scholarships, one for each of the ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, will include tuition to the three-year program.
The scholarships will include two years of study at the academy and one year of service aboard a Disney ship.
Our Disney characters have a unique ability to inspire and connect with children, and we know Captain Minnie will encourage young girls around the world to consider a career in the maritime industry,
…said Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Cruise Line.
Later in 2019, Captain Minnie Mouse will appear in an all-new youth activity where young captain hopefuls practice STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills in a fun maritime-themed activity. Children will hone their STEM and problem-solving abilities – skills that play an important role in the maritime industry – in a series of engaging, hands-on activities.