Les Roches and Silversea have officially signed an agreement to be pioneers in an innovative field of study in cruise management.
This program, the first of its kind, offered at the Les Roches campus in Marbella, provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and supervise various areas on board cruise ships, as well as aspects of marketing, revenue management and other business functions related to the cruise industry.
In addition, students are guaranteed to benefit from a scholarship agreement between both entities, and the opportunity to obtain employment on board the Silversea fleet.
Les Roches, ranked among the top four hotel management schools in the world, brings its extensive experience in academia, while Silversea, known for its all-inclusive lifestyle and portfolio of global destinations, contributes its vision of the cruise travel landscape.
The cruise industry has experienced strong growth in recent years. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), in 2023, this sector reached a turnover of $155 billion and created 1.2 million jobs worldwide.
This sector has been positioned as one of the fastest growing for two consecutive years. As the CLIA study indicates, every 1% increase equates to four million new cruise passengers. Global ship capacity is expected to grow by 19%, reaching nearly 750,000 berths by 2028.
Furthermore, it is considered one of the tourism types with the greatest potential to evolve towards the sustainability standards imposed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
In response, this alliance between Les Roches and Silversea opens up a range of opportunities for those who want to develop in an industry with a positive growth outlook.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Cruise Management is positioned as a pioneer in this specialty among educational programs, offering learning highly focused on the practical aspect, as well as an immersion guided by Silversea.
The academic institution, with 70 years of history and a campus in Spain since 1995, has chosen its headquarters in Marbella as the ideal place to pursue this new program, where the traffic of premium or luxury lines increases annually.
“Partnering with the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise brand is a source of pride for Les Roches. The dedication and ambition that Silversea brings to its business model are shared by our educational methodology. The cruise sector is an area with untapped potential at the academic level, and promoting this diploma positions us, once again, at the forefront of a specialization that continues to grow year after year,” stated Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches.
Spain stands out internationally, ranking as the second most popular cruise destination in Europe, behind only Italy. In 2023, a new record was set in the country, with a 46% increase over 2022, surpassing 12 million passengers, according to the latest data published by State Ports.
“As part of our commitment to providing our guests with the best service at sea, Silversea places great importance on recruiting the most talented crew members in the industry,” said Barbara Muckermann, President of Silversea.
“Education and training are key in this rapidly growing, service-oriented industry. Since becoming part of Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea has welcomed six ships to its fleet in just three years, making attracting talented professionals more important than ever. We are delighted to partner with Les Roches, a leading academic institution, to ensure our service remains the best in the industry”.
During the first semester, students will follow a curriculum focused on cruise operations, developing luxury guest experiences, learning about the management of luxury accommodations and onboard food and beverage, sales and revenue, and maritime law.
During this period, Les Roches also offers a business trip to Monaco and Miami, home to the world's largest passenger port. After completing this first part of the program, students can choose to delve deeper into the sector through a practical immersion program in the cruise industry with Silversea.
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