On October 7, with great enthusiasm and participation, the first session of the educational program “All Aboard!” took place at the Gil Vicente School in Lisbon. The event is an initiative from MSC Cruises, in collaboration with CLIA – Cruise Lina International Association, and Port of Lisbon Authority was the local partner to implement the action. The activity is part of the “Cruises for the Community” program, a pioneering initiative by the Port of Lisbon Authority, created to bring cruise companies closer to the local community and strengthen their engagement with the region.
All Aboard! is an educational initiative that seeks to explain to pupils aged between 9 and 11 years the variety of professions that exist on board cruise ships through dynamic and interactive exercises.
This initiative seeks to share with pupils some of the principles that prevail in life on board such as tolerance, diversity, respect for different cultures, teamwork, and environmental protection.
During the session, around 70 fifth-grade students from the Gil Vicente Basic and Secondary School took on the roles of cruise professionals for a day. Through interactive activities and role-playing exercises, the children performed duties such as captain, engineer, ship doctor, environmental officer, receptionist, tour guide, and entertainer, exploring the wide range of responsibilities and skills required to operate in a multicultural and global environment.
The experience was enriched by the participation of crew members from the MSC Virtuosa, docked in Lisbon, who shared their professional knowledge and experiences, making the event even more authentic and inspiring. Representatives from MSC Cruises, CLIA, and port were also present, reaffirming the industry’s commitment to education, youth training, and engagement with the local community.
Teachers praised the program as an innovative, educational, and inspiring experience, highlighting its positive impact on students’ curiosity and motivation. According to the teaching staff, the initiative helped broaden professional horizons, spark technical and linguistic interest, and bring the Port of Lisbon closer to the school environment.
For Port of Lisbon, projects like “All Aboard!” are essential to strengthening the connection between the port and the city, promoting a sense of local identity, and showing younger generations that port and cruise activities offer a wide range of human, technical, and cultural opportunities.
The success of this first session confirms the strong commitment of the port ecosystem and cruise companies to the community, positioning Lisbon not only as a leading destination for cruise tourism but also as an example of innovation and social responsibility within the port sector.
