NEW BRUNSWICK, Canada (July 22, 2025) — With a mission rooted in education and excellence, the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence is expanding its global footprint, using high-profile speaking engagements and strategic partnerships to champion sustainable growth and elevate cruise tourism standards across the Caribbean and North America.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               As a leader in cruise tourism training, Aquila has contributed to vital conversations shaping the future of the industry:

• Danielle Timmons, Vice President, Cruise Operations & Shore Excursions, participated in a roundtable hosted by the Saint John
  

  Danielle Timmons

  Region Chamber of Commerce, featuring Governor Janet Mills of Maine, Wade Merritt, President of the Maine International Trade Centre, and cross-border business leaders. The discussion explored cross-border collaboration, economic growth and regional resilience.

• Melanie Colpitts, Partner, presented “Training with Purpose” at Caribbean Week in New York, hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Her session sparked dialogue around people-centered training and its role in building leadership, fostering transformation, and creating long-term community impact.
• Ambra Attus, Director of Impact, Growth & Development, speaks at the Dominica Cruise Stakeholders Symposium on July 23, 2025. Her presentation, “Maximizing Opportunities for Success with Cruise,” will focus on best practices for creating memorable guest experiences from the frontline perspective.
• Beth Hatt, Partner, will participate in a panel discussion at the Curaçao Cruise Tourism Symposium on September 29, exploring the theme “Experiences Ship to Shore – Elevating the Local Cruise Experience.” The panel will be followed by two days of training sessions led by Aquila, focused on service excellence and product development.

“These platforms allow us to amplify our mission of excellence through education,” said Beth Hatt, Founder of the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence. “We’re proud of our team’s contributions and honored to support the ongoing growth and success of cruise destinations around the world.”

Melanie Colpitts

The Aquila team will deliver a presentation at the annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in Puerto Rico in October. As the exclusive training partner of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), Aquila will lead important conversations around building cruise-ready communities, enhancing guest experiences, and strengthening partnerships between cruise lines and destinations.                                                                                                                                                                                                        Additionally, Aquila will participate at the upcoming Ports Canada Conference in Halifax, taking place September 16-18. Danielle Timmons is slated to join the panel “The Growing Importance of Cruise to Atlantic Canada,” moderated by Sarah Rumley (Executive Director, Atlantic Canada Cruise Association – ACCA), alongside Robyn Stewart (Cruise Development Manager, Port of Halifax), and Marie-Andrée Blanchet (Director, Cruise Development, Port of Québec).

Aquila’s Living Lab approach, developed in its home port of Saint John, New Brunswick, anchors its training philosophy: assess the needs of each destination or company, create a strategic plan, and deliver real-world-tested content grounded in daily cruise operations. This hands-on model ensures that every training program reflects proven best practices, empowering tour operators, guides and destinations to elevate service excellence at every level.

For over 30 years, the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence has been a trusted partner to cruise destinations, tour operators, and tourism professionals across the globe. Learn more at cruiseexcellence.com.

Deandrea Hamilton                                                                                                                              Editor

Ottawa, May 22, 2025 – In a landmark address following the historic opening of Canada’s 45th Parliament by King Charles III, newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has laid out an ambitious vision for the country, framing his government’s agenda as a “covenant with Canadians.”

The speech, delivered from Centre Block on Parliament Hill, follows a stirring throne speech by King Charles—his first as Sovereign in Canada—marking his 20th official visit to the country and the first accompanied by Queen Camilla. The King praised Canada’s diversity, resilience, and role on the global stage, calling for unity and bold leadership in an increasingly volatile world.

Prime Minister Carney’s message responded directly to that call, setting forth a four-pillar agenda focused on unity, security, opportunity, and national renewal.

“This is more than a mandate. It is a covenant,” said Carney. “A promise to serve all Canadians, to lead with integrity, and to deliver results that reach into every home and every community.”

National Unity and Reconciliation

At the heart of the covenant is a renewed commitment to Indigenous Peoples. The government pledged to double the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program to $10 billion and to accelerate wealth-building partnerships in housing, clean energy, and infrastructure. Carney also vowed to uphold the principle of free, prior, and informed consent on major national projects.

The Liberal leader emphasized Canada’s bilingual and multicultural identity, with assurances that both French and Indigenous languages and cultures would be protected and promoted.

Economic Transformation and Affordability

Carney’s government aims to “build the strongest economy in the G7,” beginning with legislation to eliminate internal trade barriers and

create a single national labour and business environment. The Prime Minister announced the creation of Build Canada Homes, a new agency tasked with doubling home construction and leading a transformation of Canada’s housing sector through modular, affordable development.

In line with the throne speech, Carney reaffirmed commitments to child care, pharmacare, and dental care, while introducing new tax cuts and housing incentives to ease pressures on middle-class families.

A More Secure Canada

Addressing rising public concerns over safety and sovereignty, the government announced investments in border security, cyber protection, and military readiness, particularly in Canada’s North. The Carney administration will introduce new legislation to toughen penalties for organized crime, drug trafficking, and repeat violent offenders.

Fiscal Responsibility and Global Engagement

Striking a balance between ambition and discipline, the Prime Minister pledged to bring government operating growth under two percent, while capping public sector expansion and cutting duplication. Internationally, Carney signaled a new phase of global leadership, particularly ahead of Canada’s hosting of the G7 Summit in June.                                                                                                                                                                            “This is a critical moment—not just for our government, but for our nation,” said Carney. “We are ready to lead, to act boldly, and to serve Canadians with humility and courage.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               The covenant sets the tone for what is expected to be one of the most transformative Liberal mandates in decades, with implementation details expected in the first budget next month.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Header: King Charles III and Queen Camilla meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Diana Fox Carney as they arrive at Ottawa Airport for their two-day visit to Canada. Picture date: Monday May 26, 2025.

1st insert: Throne speech by King Charles—his first as Sovereign in Canada

2nd insert: King Charles III and Queen Camilla meeting with an elder as they arrive at Ottawa Airport for their two-day visit to Canada. Picture date: Monday May 26, 2025.

3rd insert: King Charles III meeting with school children as he arrives at Ottawa Airport for his two-day visit to Canada. Picture date: Monday May 26, 2025.

4th insert: King Charles III and Queen Camilla as they arrive at Ottawa Airport for their two-day visit to Canada. Picture date: Monday May 26, 2025.