Royal Caribbean Group’s internship program is among the most coveted according to its top rankings in Vault’s 150 Best Internships including Best Internships Overall (#8), Travel & Transportation Industry (#1) and Overall Diversity (#2), to name a few.
To uncover the program’s lasting impact, we spoke with three former interns who transitioned into full-time roles at Royal Caribbean Group to find out more about their experience in the program and how it inspired their career journeys.
Madison Sweeney, Intern Program 2023 – Account Executive, Onboard Branding & Communication, Royal Caribbean
Kyle Caruso, Intern Program 2023 – Analyst, Fleet Performance, Onboard Revenue Operations, Celebrity Cruises
Ellie Zimering, Intern Program 2019 – Lead, Brand Marketing & Content, FT Global Marketing, Silversea
Q: What was your internship experience like?
Madison: Over the first few weeks of the internship, I attended numerous meetings, learning to communicate with internal and external partners, which helped me grow significantly as a person. The internship program was well-organized, including activities like ship visits, LinkedIn learning sessions, and well-being activities, allowing us to network and learn continuously. I was always busy with work, contributing significantly with my graphic design and marketing skills, especially on projects like Royal Caribbean’s President’s Cruise and the launch of Icon of the Seas. The program was very fulfilling, and I look forward to coming to work every day.
Kyle: As an intern for Celebrity Cruises, I was excited to start a new chapter in my career and was impressed by the variety of departments and roles at Royal Caribbean Group. The well-structured internship program exceeded my expectations with hands-on learning experiences that provided deeper insight into the organization’s values. I worked with Celebrity Onboard Revenue, focusing on enhancing the guest experience and driving revenue in areas such as dining, shopping, spa, and food and beverages.
Ellie: From the moment I arrived on campus, I knew I wanted to work at Royal Caribbean Group. The breathtaking Brickell skyline and the friendliness of everyone made it clear that RCG was a special place. The campus atmosphere was energetic, collaborative and welcoming. I loved my internship at RCG! The team embraced us as part of the RCG culture, integrating us through learning about different departments, participating in on-campus events and volunteering for a GIVE Day at a local school. This rewarding experience made the transition to becoming a full-time employee seamless. I interned with Celebrity Cruises in product marketing.
Q: What motivated you to apply for a full-time position after your internship ended?
Madison: I owe much of my success to my mom, who worked for Royal Caribbean Group for 15 years before retiring in February 2024. Growing up, I had the privilege of sailing on multiple ships every year. My mom, as my biggest motivator, encouraged me to apply for the internship after college. While finishing graduate school, I was also completing the internship and hoped to secure a full-time position. Fortunately, I was offered a full-time role upon completing my degree.
Kyle: The internship reinforced my desire to stay with Royal Caribbean Group due to the excellent learning opportunities and a culture of innovation and collaboration. Following the internship, I accepted a full-time role as a Fleet Performance Analyst with the Onboard Revenue team, where I use data and strategy to enhance sailing performance and guest satisfaction.
Ellie: By the end of my internship, Royal Caribbean Group felt like a second home. I was impressed by the unique career opportunities and high retention rate. A coworker who had been an intern 13 years prior reinforced my desire to build a long-term career at RCG. It’s not just a great place to start your career, but also to sustain it, which excited and grounded me. I accepted a full-time role with Celebrity PR at the end of my internship.
Q: What skills or lessons did you learn during your internship that have been most valuable in your current/following role(s)?
Madison: I currently work as an Account Executive for Onboard Marketing and Communications with the same wonderful team that I interned with. I’ve been able to apply numerous skills from my internship to my current role. My soft skills include punctuality, respectful yet assertive communication, strategic workload management, open-mindedness and honesty. My interpersonal skills include patience, positivity, compassion, collaboration, flexibility and reliability. I also read the room before speaking, which I consider a crucial skill in the corporate world.
Kyle: During my internship, I gained critical skills in Product Development and understanding guest values. I also developed soft skills such as cross-functional collaboration, effective communication and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. These skills have been essential in my current role, where I help identify revenue opportunities and create actionable strategies.
Ellie: I learned that the people at Royal Caribbean Group make all the difference; it’s a supportive, tightknit group always willing to help and go the extra mile. The collaborative environment is a core part of RCG’s culture, consistent across teams and brands. Even as I’ve changed departments, the wonderful culture and relationships built during my internship have been key to my success.
Q: What advice would you give to future interns at RCG who aspire to get their foot in the door?
Madison: This summer, one of the internship program activities included a meet and greet with past alumni, where I had the opportunity to share my experiences and advice with the new interns. It was inspiring to engage with such brilliant interns who were curious about my role. I offered several pieces of advice: send follow-up emails after important meetings, don’t hesitate to voice questions or ideas, listen to others’ perspectives, use one-on-one time with your manager to build a trustworthy relationship and challenge yourself. By taking the initiative to tackle unknown or challenging material, you can achieve more than you think.
Kyle: My advice for future interns at RCG is to be proactive by seeking out opportunities and asking questions, to leverage your network by building connections across departments for broader business insights and to stay curious by exploring different facets of the organization beyond your immediate role.
Ellie: Network! Meeting more people helps you understand the organization and opens future opportunities. During my internship, my manager gave me a list of people to have coffee chats with, a practice I’ve continued in every new role. It’s a great way to build connections and learn about different departments.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
Madison: I owe a great deal of my success to the girls on my team who have always supported and motivated me. Special thanks go to Tanya Leyva, who was instrumental during my internship. She taught me about my role and our team, provided daily advice on growth, helped me set new goals and patiently answered all my questions. Tanya’s kindness and empathy have made her a reliable mentor and a cherished friend. Thank you, Tanya, for being an amazing mentor and friend! And without the RCG Internship program, I wouldn’t have been awarded the “2023 Top 100 Intern Award” by Yello & Wayup!
Kyle: During my internship, I had the unique opportunity to design a space onboard Celebrity Ascent called The Annex. This rewarding project allowed me to apply my undergraduate knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the Celebrity guest experience. It provided a hands-on introduction to various departments, teaching me to align design elements with operational feasibility. The experience enhanced my technical skills and gave me a deeper appreciation for how thoughtful design can elevate guest satisfaction and contribute to the brand’s success.
Ellie: If you have the chance to intern at RCG, take it. Each ship operates like a mini city at sea, offering unique and large-scale departmental experiences. Special thanks to Dominique Taleno, Kate Ingraham and Nicole Blanco for welcoming me warmly and treating me like part of the Celebrity Marketing family from day one. I also extend my gratitude to Susan Lomax for hiring me as an intern and then as a full-time employee. Your belief in my potential and the challenges you set helped shape me both personally and professionally. Your mentorship, leadership and friendship are deeply appreciated.
To learn more about our internship program, and to apply, click here.
