Les Roches and Silversea Join Forces to Offer Postgraduate Diploma in Cruise Management
In a groundbreaking partnership, Les Roches and Silversea, the leading ultra-luxury cruise brand, are providing students with the chance to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Cruise Management at the Les Roches campus in Marbella. The course will emphasize the practical aspects of cruise ship management, supplemented by an immersion section led by Silversea.
Marbella: The Ideal Location for the New Programme
The 70-year-old academic institution, which has had a campus in Spain since 1995, has selected Marbella as the perfect location for this new programme. The city sees an annual increase in the traffic of premium and luxury lines. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported that in 2023, the sector generated a turnover of 155 billion dollars and created 1.2 million jobs globally, marking it as one of the fastest-growing for two consecutive years.
Ultra-luxury Cruise Brand: A Growing Sector
As per the CLIA study, a one per cent increase corresponds to four million new cruise passengers. The global ship capacity is projected to grow by 19 per cent, reaching nearly 750,000 berths by 2028. Furthermore, it is seen as one of the tourism areas with the most potential to adapt to the sustainability standards set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Les Roches and Silversea: A Proud Partnership
Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches, expressed pride in partnering with the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise brand. He highlighted the shared dedication and ambition between Silversea and Les Roches, and the potential for academic exploration in the cruise sector. He also noted that promoting this diploma places Les Roches at the forefront of a specialisation that continues to grow annually.
Spain: A Top Destination for Cruise Passengers
Spain is the second most popular destination for cruise passengers in Europe, following Italy. In 2023, a new record was set with a 46 per cent increase from 2022, reaching over 12 million passengers, as per the latest data from Puertos del Estado.
Silversea: Committed to Excellence
Barbara Muckermann, president of Silversea, emphasized the importance of recruiting talented crew members to provide the best service at sea. She also highlighted the importance of education and training in this rapidly growing, service-oriented industry.
Course Curriculum and Business Trip
During the first semester, students will study cruise operations, luxury guest experiences, luxury accommodation, onboard food and beverage management, sales and revenue, and maritime law. Les Roches also offers a business trip to Monaco and Miami, home to the world’s largest passenger port, as part of the course.
