The initiative began in Maimón – the community where more than 60% of Amber Cove’s employees live and where our facility operates. There, our team members worked with community leaders, neighbors and businesses to share tips for sorting waste at home and at work. Now, the project is expanding with door-to-door education, new community ‘Clean Points’ – designated collection sites for sorted recyclables for later delivery to recycling facilities – and local champions leading the way. Our Amber Cove facility is setting the example by recycling items and making sustainability part of everyday life. The destination is also reducing its environmental impact by recycling materials and running on solar power, showcasing how renewable energy can support responsible tourism.

By working with Maimón to promote community-driven action, we are helping to reduce landfill waste and further strengthen the area’s appeal as a great place to live and a vibrant tourist destination. United in purpose, we’re making a real difference – both for today and for generations to come.

Her message was clear: the future of cruise tourism depends on collaboration – and our company is all in on working with destination partners to create shared value and drive economic impact.

In her keynote, “Shaping the Future of Cruise Tourism: Trends, Expectations and Opportunities for Local Stakeholders,” Wright broke down what today’s cruise guests really want: authenticity, seamless experiences and meaningful connections with the places they visit.

“Guests are no longer satisfied with surface-level sightseeing,” Wright said. “They’re looking for immersive, culturally rich moments – and that’s where local communities shine.”

Her remarks brought Carnival Corporation’s commitment to shared value creation into sharp focus. Wright encouraged stakeholders to look beyond the pier and reimagine the entire guest journey – from the first step ashore to the final farewell. By tapping into what truly drives traveler demand, destinations like Curaçao can unlock fresh opportunities for innovation, growth and lasting impact.

It’s not just about meeting expectations – it’s about exceeding them, together. Wright’s keynote offered more than inspiration; it laid out a blueprint for how cruise lines and communities can co-create unforgettable experiences that benefit everyone involved.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Curaçao Tourist Board | Corporate Account (@curacaotouristboard)

A Global Tribute

This year’s theme, “Our Ocean – Our Obligation – Our Opportunity,” called on IMO member states and maritime stakeholders to light up landmarks in blue – the color of our oceans. The goal: to spotlight the industry’s contributions and its shared responsibility in protecting the ocean.

Carnival Corporation proudly participated by lighting up:

• Our iconic “whale tail” funnel in front of Doral headquarters in Miami, Fla.
• The CSMART training facility and hotel in Almere, The Netherlands
• Palazzo Costa, Costa Cruises headquarters in Genoa, Italy

These buildings stood as beacons of unity and commitment, joining the IMO building and other landmarks worldwide in a synchronized celebration of maritime excellence.

“World Maritime Day is more than just a date on the calendar – it’s a celebration of the global community we’re proud to be part of,” said Lars Ljoen, chief maritime officer of Carnival Corporation. “It’s a time to honor the incredible mariners who make this industry special, and to recognize the vital role of maritime transport in connecting the world.”

From ship to shore, our team members deliver unforgettable happiness to guests while honoring the integrity of every ocean we sail, every place we visit and every life we touch.

The award reflects our commitment to being a Forces-friendly employer, honoring active military personnel and veterans in the UK, including guests, crew and future team members – for their service and contributions to the UK. In fact, we’re the only cruise line to have both signed up for the DER Scheme and achieved Silver status. That means we’re leading the way in showing support for the armed forces community, not just in words, but in action.

A special thanks to the Carnival UK team for helping Carnival Corporation reach this milestone.

Carnival Corporation has partnered with almost 60 Bahamian businesses to bring authentic local experiences to Celebration Key, meaning 80% of the restaurants and retail outlets at the destination are Bahamian-owned and operated. These partnerships support our commitment to create 700 permanent jobs for locals – ensuring that the heartbeat of Celebration Key is truly Bahamian.

One of the most inspiring examples of this impact is the story of Tenisha Carey, designer and CEO of Baha Gala, whose handcrafted jewelry is now a radiant part of Celebration Key.

Tenisha’s journey is one of perseverance. After Hurricane Dorian devastated Grand Bahama, many dreams were paused. But not hers.

“Pre-Dorian, and even after Dorian hit, there was doubt,” she recalls. “And then, of course, COVID happened. I remained resilient.”

Her voice carries the weight of survival and the joy of revival. When she got the call to showcase her work, she showed up with trays full of jewelry – ready to be seen, felt and understood.

Baha Gala is more than jewelry – it’s storytelling. Tenisha uses seeds, shells, gemstones and pearls to craft pieces that reflect the soul of The Bahamas. At Celebration Key, she offers guests a hands-on experience: they can co-create their own jewelry, personalize ready-made designs, and add a piece of themselves to their island-made treasure.

“They can come in and create their story at Baha Gala,” Tenisha says. “I think that’s a priceless takeaway from Celebration Key.”

Tenisha’s story is just one example of many small businesses benefiting from Carnival Corporation’s deep connections with local communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to support entrepreneurs like her as together we help promote sustainable jobs and economic opportunities in the many beautiful ports and destinations we visit around the globe.

The award recognizes our “Less Left Over” food waste reduction strategy, which has already cut food waste per person by 44% compared to 2019, beating our 2025 goal ahead of schedule. This milestone reflects the creativity, commitment, and collaboration of our 160,000 team members on initiatives around the world designed to shrink our “food print.”

From fine-tuning provisioning and AI-powered planning to repurposing surplus ingredients and deploying 600+ biodigesters and dehydrators, our Less Left Over strategy is transforming how we manage food—onboard and beyond. And through partnerships with food banks in port communities, we’re turning surplus into impact, donating hundreds of thousands of meals globally.

This win reflects our commitment to purposeful innovation and the dedication of our teams. We’re proud to invest in initiatives that deliver tangible results – and we remain focused on driving real impact.

State of the European Cruise Industry: Future Forward

Felix Eichhorn, president of AIDA Cruises, joined fellow industry leaders to discuss the heath and trajectory of cruising in Europe. Eichhorn emphasized the region’s strong growth potential.

“We really can talk about record numbers,” he said. “There are lots of opportunities in Europe.”

He noted that four of AIDA’s 11 ships now sail in Europe throughout the winter season. This strategy not only extends the cruise calendar but also opens less crowded destinations for guests seeking unique experiences.

Eichhorn also underscored Carnival Corporation’s sustainability efforts, including recycling, water conservation, energy efficiency and the adoption of alternative fuels.

“I don’t think many other industries have achieved what we have when it comes to reducing our energy consumption. We need to communicate that we have achieved so much, but we aren’t stopping here,” said Eichhorn.

He also talked about the AIDA Evolution fleet modernization initiative focused on both passenger experience and technical innovation and enhancements. The program forms part of a broader long-term strategy that includes the construction of two new-generation ships for delivery in spring 2030 and winter 2031/32.

Retrofitting Existing Fleets Toward Ambition of Net Zero

Christoph Schladoer, vice president of decarbonization at Carnival Maritime, also appeared on stage to share insights on how retrofitting cruise ships is transforming fleet operations.

“There are many ways to enhance how ships operate,” he said. “Software tools and modern machine algorithms provide us with new ways to use the data we collect from ship performance to advance how we operate day-to-day.”

Schladoer highlighted alternative fuels as one way the corporation is pursuing its ambition to achieve net zero emissions from ship operations by 2050. Specifically, he discussed the company’s use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which is today the best readily available, proven and commercially scalable fuel for the maritime industry that significantly reduces direct greenhouse gases and other atmospheric emissions and particulate matter. He also acknowledged the limitations, noting LNG is not commercially available everywhere.

He wrapped up his remarks with a clear call to action – emphasizing that retrofitting is an opportunity to embrace innovation to drive meaningful progress in a number of areas, in addition to simply meeting regulatory requirements.

“Retrofitting is using technology to improve what we do – and we can take more advantage of that. We should be proud of what we have done while continuing to always strive to find ways that technology can help us be even better.”

Shore Power at Scale: The Path to Widespread Onshore Power in European Ports

Dirk Inger, senior vice president, public affairs, communication and sustainability at AIDA Cruises, spoke candidly about the challenges and opportunities of shore power integration.

“As a frontrunner in the renewable energy space, Germany started laying the groundwork for onshore power in ports almost 20 years ago,” he said. “Around that same time, in 2004 AIDA began factoring shore power capabilities into the design of our ships starting with the AIDAdiva.”

AIDA’s fleet has now completed nearly 400 shore power connections, even though the capability is not yet available at the vast majority of ports. Inger noted AIDA Cruises actively seeks opportunities to plan itineraries around ports that offer shore power. This allows us to reduce carbon emissions and support improved air quality in the communities where we’re able to connect.

But implementation is far from simple.

“It’s not easy for ports to get a shore power connection,” he said. “You can’t just buy it at a shop. You need time to implement it.”

He shared the example of AIDA’s journey to secure regulatory approval – only to be limited to test operations due to infrastructure gaps.

Inger also addressed the cost implications to operators.

“Shore power is much more expensive – doubles the prices,” he said.

Looking ahead, he advocated for broader collaboration.

Inger continued by saying, “We should look at other energy efficient systems – like batteries. We need to get together with the industry for better energy efficiency technologies to integrate into our fleets.”

Together with partners across the industry, Carnival Corporation remains committed to advancing responsible cruising and shaping a bright future for travel in Europe and beyond.

The newest partner is Te Kura Waka, a school in the city of Tauranga. Jack Thatcher, a master Māori navigator, teaches traditional Pacific celestial navigation – guiding ocean journeys using the stars, moon and planets. The Māori are the Indigenous people of New Zealand, known for their deep connection to nature and ancestral wisdom. With Princess’s support, Te Kura Waka is helping young people preserve this ancient knowledge and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Funded by guest donations and matched by Princess Cruises, the program is helping preserve the natural and cultural treasures of Aotearoa (Maori name for New Zealand) for generations to come.

This initiative reflects Carnival Corporation’s and its cruise lines’ shared commitment to doing business responsibly – from ship to shore – by supporting the communities we serve and protecting the places we visit.