Building the Cruise Industry’s Talent Pipeline
During the professional women in cruise brunch at Seatrade, Carnival Corporation’s Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Bettina A. Deynes, shared how our company is evolving in the way it attracts, develops and retains talent. The idea is grounded in one simple principle: focus on the person, not the label.
Bettina spoke about how recruiting pathways are expanding beyond traditional geographies through new partnerships and training programs across regions including the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
During a recent visit to the Philippines, Bettina was asked when the industry would see its first Filipino captain or chief engineer, or a woman in those roles.
“When that day comes, it won’t be about the first,” Bettina noted. “It will be the best person we have at that time – and she just happens to be from the Philippines.”
Bettina also emphasized that careers in cruising rarely follow a straight path. Movement across roles, departments and experiences – both shipboard and shoreside – plays a critical role in developing future leaders. That flexibility, she noted, is increasingly important as expectations around career growth continue to shift.
When asked what keeps people engaged long-term, Bettina pointed to culture and connection. Beyond roles and titles, she said, employees want authenticity, strong relationships with managers, and opportunities to grow – even if that journey takes them elsewhere before bringing them back. Those returnees, she added, often become some of Carnival Corporation’s strongest champions.
As the industry navigates rapid change, Bettina reinforced that technology may shape how work is done, but people remain at the center of how talent pipelines are built – intentionally, thoughtfully and with a long-term view.
