Shore to Ship – Cruise Symposium and Workshop
Shore to Ship: Elevating the Local Cruise Experience Symposium and Workshop
September 29–30, 2025 | Corendon Ballroom, Curaçao
Join us for Shore to Ship, a two-day event designed to empower Curaçao’s cruise tourism community with the tools, insights, and connections to take our guest experience to the next level.
This symposium and workshop is dedicated to everyone who interacts with cruise ship passengers—from frontline staff and tour operators to retail businesses, attractions, transportation providers, and beyond. All workshops are complimentary for participants.
On September 29, we’ll kick off with an inspiring keynote address on the future of cruise tourism presented by Ms. Antoinette Wright, Chief Supply Chain Officer, North America of Carnival Corporation, followed by a dynamic panel discussion on how to deliver seamless, authentic, and high-impact guest experiences. Afterward, dive into hands-on training sessions led by the internationally recognized Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence.
This is more than a conference—it’s our moment to shape the cruise experience from shore to ship.
Keynote – Shaping the Future of Cruise Tourism: Trends, Expectations & Opportunities for Local Stakeholders
Speaker: Ms. Antoinette Wright, Chief Supply Chain Officer, North America, Carnival Corporation
What you’ll learn:
- Emerging global cruise trends and growth outlook
- Changing passenger expectations for authentic, sustainable shore experiences
- Opportunities for local stakeholders to collaborate and benefit
- A practical call to action to elevate Curaçao’s cruise offering
Panel Discussion – From Shore to Ship: Delivering a Seamless, Authentic & Impactful Cruise Experience
We’ll dive into four practical areas:
- The Full Passenger Journey — from arrival to departure, and every touchpoint in between
- Strengthening Local Partnerships — cruise lines, port authority, operators, and businesses working in sync
- Delivering Authentic & Memorable Experiences — culture-forward products and thoughtful visitor flow
- The Economic Ripple Effect — boosting on-island spend and community benefits
Who should attend?
Everyone who engages with cruise passengers—frontline staff, retail businesses, attractions, tour companies, transport providers (bus/taxi), guides, and port-facing teams.
Workshop – Product Development: Tours & Guest Experiences
Date: September 29 15:00-17:00 and September 30 08:00-12:00 (half day)
This workshop will teach you how to reimagine and create new tour products and guest experiences that respond to today’s needs, and it will also include other key factors that are necessary for success. Through a variety of activities and exercises, you will leave this interactive workshop ready with packages and experiences in place, as well as the tools to successfully promote and deliver them to cruise lines and their guests.
Discover how to design fresh, guest-ready experiences and tour packages—complete with tools to promote and deliver them to cruise lines.
Best for: Tour Operators, Attractions, Experience Providers, Cruise Destinations, Small Tour Operators.
Workshop – Service Excellence for Frontlines
Date: September 29 10:00-12:00
Participants will learn how to deliver standout experiences that leave guests saying “WOW!” Topics include going above and beyond guest expectations, clear and effective communication, managing challenging situations, handling complaints, and more.
Best for: Frontlines, Greeters, Tour Guides, Transportation Drivers, Vendors & retail, Food & Beverage, Attractions, Anyone who interacts with guests.
Workshop – Driver Excellence
Date: September 29 13:00-15:00
Drivers of guest transportation are responsible for the safety of guests, but the expectations of your guests go beyond that, to include excellent service, professional behaviors, managing difficult situations, and more. This training gives drivers the knowledge, skills, and tools to meet the many expectations of their guests.
Learn the skills and service standards today’s guests expect—from safety and professionalism to handling tough situations with confidence.
Best for: Drivers of guest transportation, such as motorcoach, taxi, van, private vehicle, sightseeing boat, buggy, tuk-tuk.