Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, have pledged millions in aid to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian tore through the Northern Bahamian Islands earlier this week.
From Carnival Cruise Line to Royal Caribbean to Disney, here are what cruise lines are donating towards relief and recovery efforts in the Bahamas.
Disney Cruise Line
The Walt Disney Company, led by Disney Cruise Line, has committed more than $1 million in cash and in-kind support to help relief and recovery efforts for those in The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian.
Disney’s commitment includes a $1 million donation to non-profit relief agencies who will be undertaking recovery and rebuilding efforts, as well as the provision of supplies – including food staples and basic construction materials – to those in impacted areas.
Additionally, Disney employees with immediate needs in impacted areas of The Bahamas will have access to a range of resources. Disney Castaway Cay, which experienced only tropical force strength winds, employs more than 60 Bahamians from Abaco and Grand Bahama, as well as several employees from other Bahamian islands.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is committing $1 million to Dorian disaster relief, and their ITM partner in the Holistica joint venture that is developing the Grand Lucayan resort in Freeport—is also donating an additional $100,000.
To make sure their donations go where they can do the most good, Royal Caribbean is collaborating with the Bahamian government and their non-profit partner, the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), and a network of Bahamian charities and other local organizations, including the Bahamas Feeding Network.
Royal Caribbean is loading all kinds of goods onto their cruise ships— generators, water, cleaning supplies, clean sheets, towels, and more—for direct delivery to the Bahamas. The trained employee volunteers they call the GO Team are on their way to assist with relief efforts. The cruise line is taking special care of coworkers and their families who were affected by the storm.
Royal Caribbean is matching every dollar of guest and employee donations to PADF so they can help their friends as well. Make a Donation to Help the Bahamas
Carnival Cruise Line
While Carnival Corporation and Carnival Cruise Line have not announced a dollar amount on what they will be donating, the company has pledged to work with the Bahamian government as they determine the highest priorities for both the short term and long term.
Carnival said that they look forward to supporting their forthcoming hard work to rebuild, recover and again welcome tourists and cruise guests with open arms to their beautiful country.
Carnival also addressed recent questions about their commitment to two major projects on the islands of Grand Bahama Island and Half Moon Cay. The company stated that they remain fully committed to those projects as part of the recovery and rebuilding process.
The cash donations, the food, linen supplies and materials to help rebuild are wonderful donations from the cruise lines, but where are the Bahamians supposed to live while the rebuilding is being accomplished? Their homes have been leveled to the ground!!! If each Cruise company would provide a liner to be used as a temporary home until their homes are rebuilt, it would give these people, now living in desperation, some hope! It would also give your employees, living in the Bahamas, an opportunity to work and earn a paycheck. Thank you for considering this course of action.
The cruise industry should allow several liners to be used by the Bahamian population for the duration.
If any of these cruise ships are willing to bring volunteers to the Bahamas to help clean up and rebuild, many of us would be glad to go as a group!