The debut of Captain Minnie Mouse, new youth programmes and the funding of scholarships by the line are designed to “empower girls and young women to pursue careers in the cruise industry and chart a course for success".

Disney Cruise Line will sponsor four scholarships at the LJM Maritime Academy in the Bahamas for female cadets aspiring to be ship captains and shipboard leaders.

The scholarships, one for each of the ships in Disney’s fleet, will include tuition to the three-year programme which features a year of service onboard a Disney ship.

The line will also look to use Captain Minnie Mouse to inspire young girls holidaying onboard its ships as the character interacts with guests from this month.

Captain Minnie Mouse will appear in a new youth activity where budding captains practise Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills in a maritime-themed activity.

Children will hone their Stem abilities in a series of activities in Disney’s Oceaneer Lab areas across its fleet.

Youngsters will also have an opportunity to meet Captain Minnie Mouse during local community visits, with the character accompanied by a female Disney Cruise Line officer or crew member, who will discuss their role in the industry and career choices for women in the sector.