Cruise Lines Offer You Opportunity to Help Caribbean

PHOTO: Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista docked in St. Kitts. (photo by Jason Leppert)

Now guests can join the cruise industry in aiding hard-hit Caribbean islands after recent hurricanes devastated the region.

Carnival Corporation’s latest efforts involve 11 of its Carnival Cruise Line brand ships making a staggering 36 supply deliveries on approaching sailings. The company is sending water, food, clothing, toiletries and medical supplies to such destinations as Grand Turk, St. Maarten (via St. Kitts), St. Thomas, and Barbuda (via Antigua), as well as affected Bahamian islands, over the course of the coming weeks.

Carnival is also working on a plan to assist the mainland U.S. and the Florida Keys. For the time being, the port of Key West remains closed.

Additionally, the corporation’s Fathom brand—dedicated to social impact travel—made this statement on its Facebook page: “At this time we are speaking with individuals and local organizations to see how we can work together to best support those affected. This may take some time, but we will pass along information as we receive it.”

Fathom may no longer have its own Adonia ship, but it may still have something up its sleeve as a means to involve volunteers on the ground in addition to monetary contributions in the near future.

Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Corporation and the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation have already donated $2 million towards the Save the Children, Houston Food Bank, Direct Relief, Operation Homefront and United Way of Greater Houston charities.

The company invites everyone to join by texting SUPPORT to 707070 or by clicking here. The Pledgeling page says, “Carnival will be making a determination of organizations to support to help those most in need.”

READ MORE: Cruise Ships Aid Rebuilding Caribbean

Meanwhile, Seatrade Cruise News reports Royal Caribbean International is deploying four ships to help out and the line’s president and CEO Michael Bayley was on one himself.

“A big percentage of our fleet is dedicated to hurricane relief,” Bayley said. “I’m on board Enchantment with our management team. It’s a [bit] like Noah’s Ark with dogs and cats. It’s incredible. We’re having a great experience.”

Along with corporate cousins Azamara Club Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited has linked with World Vision asking for donations. The website adds, “Royal Caribbean has committed to match donations up to $1 million to aid Hurricane Irma relief efforts.”

This post first appeared on TravelPulse.