MANILA - One of the world's biggest cruise tour operators, Carnival Cruise Line, is looking to hire thousands of new staff for three new cruise ships and it is offering scholarships to Filipinos who want to join its workforce.

Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, is in the Philippines right now, as the company expands its partnership with two Philippine colleges that have been providing it with cruise seafarers. 

"We're visiting STI and we're awarding some scholarships. We're also expanding the work that we're doing with PMMA [Philippine Merchant Marine Academy] because these really create even better opportunities for Filipino employees that join us where historically, perhaps they've come in more entry-level roles, by providing an expanded curriculum," Duffy said in an interview with ANC.

She said the company is working with the two schools to "give them the content and the training so that our Filipino crew can join in deck and engine roles, can come into hotel and hospitality programs."

Carnival Cruise Line announced last week that it is taking on an additional three new ships that can carry up to 8,000 people.

The company is also migrating its P&O Cruises Australia brand into the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.

"So come January 2025, we'll be taking on an additional two ships. Then we get another ship in 2027, 2028, 29, 31, and 33."

Duffy said there are 12,000 Filipino crew members that work for Carnival Cruise Line, and around 50,000 Filipino crew members working across Carnival Corporation's eight brands.

Carnival Cruise ships are always fully booked and the company is having a record year in 2024, Duffy said.

"So demand is quite strong."