Disney Cruise Line has announced a number of new initiatives aimed at inspiring women in the maritime industry, including the introduction of a new captain — Captain Minnie Mouse!

With the debut of Captain Minnie Mouse — sometimes wearing pants instead of a skirt for the first time! — as well as new youth programs and the funding of scholarships, these initiatives are designed to empower girls and young women to pursue careers in the cruise industry.

Captain Minnie Mouse is now making appearances on all the Disney Cruise Line ships. She presents a strong figure, wearing a crisp new uniform with white trousers or skirt and a bright red jacket with captain’s insignia.

Later this year, Captain Minnie will participate in all-new, maritime-themed activities that will encourage potential young captains to practice STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills. The interactive experience will be offered in Disney’s Oceaneer Lab aboard all Disney ships.

In addition, Captain Minnie Mouse will visit children in some of Disney Cruise Line’s home ports and ports of call. As part of these local community visits, Captain Minnie and another female Disney Cruise Line officer or crew member will showcase their roles in the maritime industry and raise awareness about career choices for women aboard a cruise ship.

In addition to introducing Captain Minnie’s new role, 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 currently in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, will include tuition to the three-year program, which entails two years of study at the academy and one year of service aboard a Disney ship.

To celebrate Captain Minnie Mouse taking the helm, Disney Cruise Line has a special line of merchandise exclusive to the Disney fleet. Items in the nautical-themed collection of apparel and gifts sport the tagline, “You Can Call Me Captain.”

Captain Minnie Mouse also gets her own new PANDORA Jewelry charm, available for purchase exclusively onboard. A brand-new Captain Minnie Mouse plush will be introduced this summer.

Finally, a Captain Minnie Mouse makeover will soon be available only at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques on the Disney ships.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent — AllEars.net recommends our preferred travel provider, MouseFanTravel.com!

Are you excited to see Captain Minnie Mouse aboard the Disney Cruise Line ships? Drop us a comment below!

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