For Immediate Release
Makayla Russell is excited for an opportunity to
return to the island she calls home and contribute
to the fantastic changes taking place thanks to
Celebration Key
Celebration Key’s new Learning & Development Manager hails ‘most significant’
career role
October 20, 2024 - Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the leading cruise
company in the Caribbean and world's largest cruise company, has announced Grand Bahama native
Makayla Russell’s appointment as Learning and Development (L&D) Manager for its highly anticipated
cruise port destination, Celebration Key.
After a distinguished career at the top of the hospitality industry in Nassau and beyond, Makayla
is overjoyed at the opportunity to finally return to her community and contribute to the huge
changes taking place there thanks to Celebration Key, a $600 million development that is poised to
make a significant economic impact on the island.
“This appointment at Celebration Key marks a decade-long, deeply personal return to my roots in Grand
Bahama,” Makayla said. “Being a part of this project is more than a career milestone; it’s about
contributing to the revitalization of Grand Bahama and helping Celebration Key become a cornerstone of
both tourism and local pride.”
Her vision for the new role includes laying the foundation for a culture of inclusivity, diversity and fun,
while also nurturing the development of local talent at the cruise port, which is set to provide 700
permanent local jobs, including 400 directly with Carnival Corporation, as well as numerous related
business opportunities for Grand Bahamians.
For Makayla, the project is about more than just economic growth and job creation. “It’s about restoring
the hope of Grand Bahamians who are waiting for an opportunity to come back home,” she said. “That is
why serving as Destination L&D Manager at Celebration Key is the most significant role of my career. I’m
proud to be making history alongside some of the finest leaders I’ve ever worked with. After spending
years away from home, I’m eager to contribute to the island’s future.”
Makayla brings over a decade of learning and development expertise to the role, with a diverse
background spanning education, STEM and the hospitality industry. Her career has taken her across
international borders, where she has contributed to innovative education programs and led high-impact
hospitality training initiatives.
Makayla’s journey in the hospitality sector began with her pivotal role as training manager for a startup
management team at a popular beach resort. She later transitioned to developing training programs at a
prominent cruise destination that elevated both guest experiences and employee development.
Now, as Destination L&D Manager at Celebration Key, Makayla leads the implementation of training
programs in preparation for the destination’s grand opening. Her mission is to ensure that both leaders
and line staff are fully equipped to provide exceptional guest experiences that align with the vision of
Carnival Corporation’s newest destination.
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About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel
companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa
Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises,
and Seabourn.
Additional information can be found on www.carnivalcorp.com, www.aida.de, www.carnival.com,
www.costacruise.com, www.cunard.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.pocruises.com.au,
www.pocruises.com, www.princess.com, and www.seabourn.com.
For information on Carnival Corporation’s industry-leading sustainability initiatives, visit
www.carnivalsustainability.com.
Carnival Corporation Media Contacts:
Janna Rowell, Carnival Corporation, jrowell@carnival.com
Jody Venturoni, Carnival Corporation, jventuroni@carnival.com