Today, the Disney Treasure hosted a contingent of government and Port Canaveral officials for a tradition plaque and key exchange on the heels of yesterday’s arrival of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship.

In keeping with maritime tradition, Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Micah Loyd, Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Admiral Wayne Justice (USCG-Ret.) and Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray participated in a plaque exchange with Disney Treasure Capt. Marco Nogara and Jose Fernandez, VP Port Strategy, Development and Operations for Disney Cruise Line, celebrating the ship’s maiden call in the U.S. 

“We’re very pleased that Disney Treasure will be based in Port Canaveral and can’t wait until the first guests sail on this incredible ship, said Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Micah Loyd. “In addition to creating high quality guest experiences, Disney and Port Canaveral share a commitment to sustainable operations, leveraging innovative strategies and exploring new ways to minimize our environmental footprint.”

In addition to the Disney Treasure’s first call ceremony, Disney Cruise Line introduced Treasure Tomorrow, a new program that expands Disney’s commitment to creating lasting, positive impacts in the port communities it calls home across Florida and throughout the Caribbean. During the Disney Treasure’s inaugural season, Treasure Tomorrow will fund and support a variety of community-building efforts through career exploration programs for students in each port the Disney Treasure visits.

“We are proud to continue our longstanding relationship with the Canaveral Port Authority and Brevard County,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line. “And what better way for all of us to welcome our brand-new Disney Treasure with the launch of the ‘Treasure Tomorrow’ program, inspiring students in our port communities across Florida, The Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean to discover a variety of exciting career paths and gain the tools needed to pursue their dreams.”

Disney Cruise Line is teaming up with the Brevard Schools Foundation, an organization the cruise line has been proud to support for more than ten years. Students will have the opportunity to step aboard the new ship, meet Disney cast and crew members, learn about careers at sea and discover first-hand the adventures aboard the Disney Treasure. Disney Cruise Line will also sponsor career exploration programs for local students interested in the maritime industry as well as the tourism, hospitality and entertainment industries.

“At Brevard Schools Foundation, we believe in the transformative power of engaging communities in our mission and are incredibly proud to work with Disney Cruise Line to further support students in our community,” said Janice Kershaw, president and CEO, Brevard Schools Foundation. “With Disney Cruise Line’s generous gift through its Treasure Tomorrow program, deserving and motivated at-risk youth will be empowered with tools to help them succeed in college, their careers and in life. Together with Disney Cruise Line, we’re helping to break the cycle of poverty through education.”

Disney Cruise Line’s investment in the communities where the Disney Treasure will visit spans across the Caribbean.

• In Falmouth, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman and Abaco, near where Disney Castaway Cay is located, Disney Cruise Line is sponsoring Junior Achievement programs that empower and inspire the next generation of storytellers and innovators.
• In St. Thomas, Disney Cruise Line is working with the School Kids in the Park (SKIP) program to help students learn about conservation, coral reefs, native plants and sea turtles.
• In Tortola, Disney Cruise Line is collaborating with the Youth Empowerment Project and the Learning, Earning, and Achieving Dreams (LEAD) program, which introduces high school students to careers and leadership roles within the hospitality industry.

As part of Treasure Tomorrow, Disney Cruise Line cast and crew members will join in on the celebration and give back to the communities they live and work in through a variety of Disney VoluntEARS events across Florida and the Caribbean.

Tomorrow, the Disney Treasure will depart for a trip to the big apple, for her Christening Ceremony set to be held in New York on Tuesday November 19th. Check back early next week as the ceremony will be live streamed by the Disney Parks Blog.