Meet Dakarai, a nine-year-old from Nassau whose heart belongs to the ocean. Growing up with a father who’s a fisherman, he’s already charted a course toward a maritime future—and his sights are firmly set on becoming a ship navigator.
This summer, Dakarai’s dream found momentum when he joined the LJM Maritime Academy summer camp, proudly sponsored by Disney Cruise Line. For two exciting weeks in Nassau, young Bahamian students like him dive into hands-on learning, exploring navigation, engineering, and nautical rope-tying under the guidance of industry experts.
“Before coming to this camp, I didn’t know about maritime life. I thought it was only in some countries. Now I know, and I want to be in a white-on-white cadet suit in the future,”
A Camp That’s More Than Just Fun
Nameiko Miller, the registrar at LJM Maritime Academy, reflects on the camp’s impact:
“Introducing students this young to the maritime industry, even to a skill like rope tying, is a good introduction to the maritime field. This year, we doubled our total number of campers. I don’t think we could have accomplished that without [Disney Cruise Line’s] support.”
Disney Cruise Line isn’t stopping there—they’re deeply invested in nurturing Bahamian talent and building pathways to maritime careers. Joey Gaskins, regional director of public affairs at Disney Cruise Line, echoes this sentiment:
“We want young Bahamians to explore careers at sea and picture themselves in these leadership roles aboard our ships… As our fleet grows, we want them to see the variety of exciting opportunities available to them.”
Honing Skills and Boarding Dreams
The LJM camp offers a dynamic blend of theory and experience. Campers sharpen their understanding of the maritime world—from navigation and engineering fundamentals to safety drills and environmental stewardship.
And the adventure doesn’t stop onshore. Past camps have included unforgettable ship tours aboard the Disney Wish. In 2024, over 40 campers (ages 10–13) got a glimpse into real-life maritime careers—meeting crew members like Bahamian Third Officer Breann Rahming and First Officer Warren Louis Corda, and stepping onto the ship’s bridge.
In earlier years, groups of 25 students toured the ship in 2023, where one camper, Quinn, shared:
“When we were on the bridge, my jaw just dropped… I hope to continue to learn more, so that one day, I can be a captain on a ship like the Disney Wish.”
These immersive experiences are part of Disney Future Storytellers, Disney’s initiative to empower the next generation of innovators through community engagement.
Scholarship Anchors & Professional Horizons
Beyond summer camps, Disney Cruise Line has been sponsoring cadet scholarships at LJM since 2019. These scholarships support aspiring young adults aiming for careers as ship captains or shipboard leaders. The program covers tuition for LJM’s three-year curriculum—two years at the academy plus one year aboard a Disney ship.
Charting the Future
For kids like Dakarai, the sea holds possibilities—and Disney is helping navigate the way. Through mentorship, hands-on training, and career pathways, this partnership is opening horizons and fueling dreams.
