Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines recently opened the doors of two of its ships to students in Poland and Croatia, offering a behind-the-scenes look at life at sea and introducing young people to the wide range of careers available in the cruise industry.

The educational visits took place aboard Balmoral in Gdańsk, Poland, and Bolette in Split, Croatia, where students had the opportunity to meet crew members, tour key areas of the ships, and learn directly from maritime professionals.

In Gdańsk, 29 primary school students aged 10 to 14, accompanied by 13 supervisors from Wyszyny Kościelne, spent a day aboard Balmoral. The visit featured presentations from crew members representing various departments, a guided tour of the ship, lunch with the crew, and a hands-on knot-tying activity. As a token of appreciation, the students presented the crew with gifts and paintings of the ship. The event was organized with the support of Balmoral's Chief Electro-Technical Officer, Bartosz Kucisz.

Meanwhile, aboard Bolette in Split, 20 marine electrician students and two teachers from the Industrial Craft High School in Šibenik explored career opportunities in the maritime industry. Organized by Captain Davor in cooperation with former Staff Captain Kristijan Polic, now a teacher at the school, the visit included tours of the bridge and engine room, as well as discussions with the ship's marine electricians about their daily responsibilities and career paths.

By welcoming students onboard, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world maritime careers. The visits gave young people an opportunity to experience the unique working environment of a cruise ship while interacting with professionals who shared their knowledge and personal experiences.

As the global maritime industry continues to seek skilled professionals, initiatives like these provide valuable exposure for students considering a future at sea. Through partnerships with schools and hands-on educational experiences, cruise lines can play an important role in encouraging the next generation of officers, engineers, electricians, hospitality professionals, and other maritime specialists.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said it is proud to support and inspire future seafarers as they explore the many career opportunities available within the maritime industry.