Onboard Media touts locally made products on Carnival ships in Alaska

'With this Onboard Media partnership, we can provide exponentially higher exposure for our members’ businesses and expedite their recovery,' said Jon Bittner, executive director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC provides resources, advice and assistance to help small businesses grow. The statewide program is hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage through the Business Enterprise Institute.

QR code identifies locally owned businesses

In customized port guides passengers receive at every Alaska port, the BuyAlaska directory, accessible via QR code, will identify locally owned businesses. The BuyAlaska directory hosts more than 800 businesses as part of a statewide network with the goal of showing authentic Alaska to its more than 1m annual visitors. Many of those arrive on cruise ships.

'We are thrilled to be the first media company to partner with the SBDC on this important initiative to promote small businesses from the ports visited, as well as align with our partner Carnival Cruise Line’s mission to support the local communities visited as part of the cruise itinerary,' said Jeffrey Meister, GM of Onboard Media.

Andres Villalever, head of retail for Carnival Cruise Line, said the initiative 'very much aligns with Carnival’s values of supporting the local communities our ships visit as well as offering our guests a wonderful opportunity to bring home a truly unique item from their vacation.'

Made in Alaska and Silver Hand

Onboard Media is also partnering with the Made in Alaska and Silver Hand programs to help passenger identify items made in Alaska by local craftspeople and Native people.

'We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Onboard Media and Carnival Cruise Line to educate visitors on the importance of authentic Alaska,' Made in Alaska Program Manager Grace Beaujean said. 'We believe this will contribute to an outstanding guest experience and enable them to identify true Alaska keepsakes.'

Created by hand in Alaska by a Native artist

When travelers see the Silver Hand seal, they will know the artwork was created by hand in Alaska by a Native artist. The Silver Hand seal may only be attached to original work that is produced in the state by a full-time resident and member of a federally recognized Alaska Native tribe.

'Being able to clearly and easily identify authentic Alaska Native arts and crafts is good for the artist and the cruise guest who is buying work that’s unique to Alaska, so we’re thrilled to be a part of this important initiative,' said Andrea Noble, executive director of the Alaska State Council on the Arts.

Onboard Media is part of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group.

Royal Caribbean and Shop Local Alaska

In 2021, Royal Caribbean Group announced its support for the Shop Local Alaska Program, an initiative of BuyAlaska and Voyij.com, an online marketplace for Alaska businesses. That marketed to passengers of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises around the globe who could browse and buy on Voyij.com during a period when ships were not able to take them to Alaska.