With a collection of new initiatives, Disney Cruise Line is making a splash to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the maritime industry. The debut of Captain Minnie Mouse, new nautical youth programs and new scholarships are designed to empower girls and young women to pursue careers in the cruise industry and chart a course for success.
Introducing Captain Minnie Mouse
We know how Disney characters have a unique ability to inspire and connect with children. Now at Disney Cruise Line, Captain Minnie Mouse will encourage young girls around the world to consider a career in the maritime industry. She will spread the message of exploring new horizons, both by land and by sea.
Captain Minnie Mouse, in her crisp new uniform with smart white trousers or skirt and a bold red jacket emblazoned with captain’s insignia, will make the rounds on all Disney ships starting in April.
Empowering Women through Maritime Scholarships
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, include two years of study at the academy and one year of service aboard a Disney ship.
Nautical Fun for Children at Sea
Onboard Disney Cruise Line ships later this year, 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.
The interactive experience will be a journey of discovery, exploration and imagination that will be offered in Disney’s Oceaneer Lab aboard all Disney ships.
Why Knot – Taking Nautical Fun Ashore
As part of a commitment to encourage future generations to pursue careers in the maritime industry, Captain Minnie Mouse will visit children in some of Disney Cruise Line’s homeports and ports of call. Children will have an opportunity to meet Captain Minnie Mouse and be inspired by her “can do” qualities and ability to tackle any goal she sets her mind to.
As part of these local community visits, Captain Minnie Mouse will be accompanied by a female Disney Cruise Line officer or crew member to showcase their roles in the maritime industry and raise awareness about career choices for women aboard a cruise ship.
Exclusive Captain Minnie Mouse Merchandise
To celebrate the excitement of Captain Minnie Mouse at the helm, Disney Cruise Line is unveiling a special line of merchandise, exclusive to the Disney fleet. Items in the nautical-themed collection of apparel and gifts tout the tagline, “You Can Call Me Captain.” A brand-new Captain Minnie Mouse plush will be introduced this summer.
Captain Minnie Mouse also takes the spotlight on a new PANDORA Jewelry charm, available for purchase exclusively onboard.
In the future, girls will get to dress the part with a Captain Minnie Mouse makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, available exclusively on Disney ships. At this special salon, children can transform into seafaring captains, inspired by their favorite mouse.
Comments
When will the Captain Minnie merchandise be available on DCL? I’m leaving on a 3 day Bahamian Cruise in 2 days and hope it’s abailable!
As a Captain in the US Merchant Marine, I am so happy to see Minnie earn her stripes. Disney did just trademark my favorite line though…”you can call me captain.”
About time!! Grats Ms. Minnie! Much respect, love and admiration!
But where’s the Minnie Merch for men?? I’ve been begging for it for 3+ Decades!
Congratulations to Captain Minnie Mouse. I love that she is able to share her skills and inspire future generations of children. She has always been a trend setter and the conscious of a fair community.
Captain Minnie looks great! Will she and Captain Mickey be out together or will he still be around or will she be replacing him?
Minnie Mouse is my idol and I am so excited to see her stepping into the spotlight this past year! Thank you Disney for inspiring girls everywhere, from the young to the young at heart, with your initiatives!
This is really awesome. And I can’t wait for DCL to add a Female Captain to helm a ship as I am sure the pics of Minnie swearing her in will be adorable. And the STEM and Scholarship programs are amazing news! <3
As a female Navy Veteran who worked in navigation and command systems I can not express in words how wonderful I think this is. It’s exciting to know that Disney is doing something to move women forward in the maritime industry. Thank you! Four scholarships to start with, but hopefully there will be such a demand for them in the future you’ll have to make more.
Any chances for adults to meet Captain Minnie? As a female in a male dominated field who also loves Minnie, it would mean a lot.
As the daughter of a young woman and as a Girl Scout leader, this makes me so happy!!
My oldest will be studying STEM in college this fall. She and I cannot wait to see Captain Minnie Mouse aboard our next Disney Cruise Line adventure!
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