Over 600 Trinidad and Tobago nationals will take to the sea for their first time as employees of Royal Caribbean. Just over a month since thousands flocked to Royal Caribbean's recruitment drives in Trinidad and Tobago, the cruise line has confirmed that 602 candidates have been hired so far.

Royal Caribbean has confirmed that they have received 6,000 applications following recruitment exercises held in Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and Scarborough in June. The recruitment caused a stir, prompting the cruise line to add an extra screening date at the National Academy of Performing Arts in Port of Spain.

The Royal Caribbean Group said it came to Trinidad and Tobago with a team of 20 people who conducted interviews over four days. Two days at NAPA, one day at the Southern Academy of Performing Arts and one day at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex in Tobago. "These exercises have generated an overwhelming response," the cruise ship said.

RCG announced that 822 people were interviewed in those four days. It has been confirmed that following those interviews, Royal Caribbean ships will now be staffed with Trinidad and Tobago nationals in positions such as bar utility, bar servers, chefs, housekeeping, restaurant staff, guest services and catering, doctors and chefs.

The cruise line said people are also being considered for special and lower-level positions such as casino staff, security, information technology and electricians. However, these individuals will now require follow-up interviews and screening due to the nature of these positions.

Royal Caribbean said that while only 822 of the 6,000 applicants were interviewed, the remaining applicants will still have the opportunity to be employed as they now form part of a wider tourism employment database.

Royal Caribbean said people who registered but were not interviewed in person are now scheduled for virtual interviews. 

The Ministry of Tourism will facilitate the exercise, the cruise company said, and will set up a secretariat to support candidates who want to undergo the cruise ship employment screening.

Wendy McDonald, Regional Vice President, Government Relations for the Caribbean said: “We are pleased with the number of qualified candidates interested in joining the Royal Caribbean Group. We interviewed many talented people and are looking forward to welcoming new crew members in a variety of positions. We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts and thank them for their continued support.”

The recruitment was held after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on May 23. The memorandum showed a solution for both parties.