Marie McKenzie Receives Anchor Award in Florida
The American Caribbean Maritime Foundation honored the Carnival Corporation executive at its ninth annual gala in Hollywood, Florida.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Cruises
Marie McKenzie received the Anchor Award from the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation at its ninth annual gala in Hollywood, Florida. McKenzie has facilitated cruise industry exposure for more than 100 Caribbean Maritime University participants, including 20 cadets.
Why it matters
The award recognizes efforts to connect Caribbean students with careers in the maritime and cruise sectors. The foundation's scholarship and grant investments aim to build a regional pipeline of marine engineering, navigation, logistics and port management professionals.
The American Caribbean Maritime Foundation has invested more than US$3 million across over 600 scholarships and grants. McKenzie's role spans Carnival Corporation's relationships with governments, regional organisations and port partners in more than 40 ports.
The players
Marie McKenzie
A Carnival Corporation executive who oversees the company's government, regional organisation and port partner relationships across more than 40 ports, and who previously chaired a Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association committee.
American Caribbean Maritime Foundation
A nonprofit that funds scholarships and grants for Caribbean students pursuing careers in marine engineering, navigation, logistics and port management.
Carnival Corporation
A global cruise operator whose ships regularly visit ports across the Caribbean and beyond.
The details
McKenzie left Jamaica in 1988 after completing sixth form and joined Carnival Corporation in 1996. She was the first woman and Caribbean national to chair a Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association committee and holds degrees from Howard University and Florida International University. The gala, held at the Diplomat Beach Resort, carried the theme 'Caribbean Maritime Professionals: The Backyard Advantage.'
Timeline
1988: McKenzie leaves Jamaica after completing sixth form.
1996: McKenzie joins Carnival Corporation.
November 5, 2026: Anchor Award presented at the ACMF ninth annual gala.
Industry Dynamics
Cruise lines increasingly recruit regional talent through partnerships with maritime universities and foundations rather than relying solely on traditional hiring pipelines. The recognition of a Carnival executive for workforce development fits that broader pattern of industry-education collaboration in the Caribbean.
Travelers booking Caribbean cruises on Carnival ships will visit ports where the company works closely with local governments and partners. Those interested in maritime careers may explore scholarship opportunities funded by the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation.
The takeaway
Workforce partnerships between cruise operators and regional maritime programs are creating new pathways for Caribbean students. Readers interested in these careers can look to scholarship programs that link education with industry experience.
Further reading
For more on the industry, explore cruise news in Florida and its growing ties to regional workforce programs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jamaica Gleaner.
