Lots of folks are being more thoughtful about how and where they are spending their money, taking into consideration a company’s values before doing business with them. Booking travel plans is no different anymore. Make your next cruise more meaningful by choosing a cruise line that pays it forward.
All in This Together
Cruise lines often step up and provide direct support to the communities they engage with at ports of call in good times and bad. Many cruise ship companies have their own foundations and work with partner organizations to make the world a better place. These foundations may support literacy, local economics, the environment, and education. When natural catastrophes like hurricanes and earthquakes occur, cruise ships may provide critically needed medical and humanitarian supplies. For example, in 2017, Royal Caribbean sent Adventure, Majesty and Empress of the Seas to hard-hit areas after Hurricanes Irma and Maria plowed through the Caribbean, delivering humanitarian aid and help with evacuations.
Does Your Cruise Ship Make the Grade?
Several cruise companies work with already established charities and non-profits, so you can book a cruise that indirectly supports a cause that is really important to you. Here’s brief look at just some cruise companies and the organizations they assist:
– Carnival Cruise works with the folks of St. Jude’s to support children and families. In addition to fundraising, the company also helps with birthday celebrations for children receiving care at St. Jude’s. Some of the special events that children and their families enjoy are also made possible with the support of Carnival. Examples include the St. Jude Teen Formal, Groove for St. Jude, Dive-in Movies at St. Jude Target House, and Day of Play.
– Royal Caribbean works with several organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund, Save the Waves, and the Pan American Development Fund. Its philanthropic focus is on causes related to cruise travel. This can range from fostering economic ties with small businesses and artisans in ports of call they visit to helping the needy and cleaning the oceans. Royal Caribbean also helps with post-disaster relief, such as the school the company helped build in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
– Norwegian Cruise Line announced in 2017 that they would partner with All Hands Volunteers to support post-hurricane relief in the Caribbean and kicked it off with a $600,000 donation to Hope Starts Here Hurricane Relief. This is in addition to having sent Norwegian Sky to the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Irma with humanitarian and evacuation assistance.
If you’re interested in learning more about what kind of philanthropy a cruise line supports, check out the company’s website. Look for the About Us section for information. Or, connect with a company representative through their toll-free number or social media; if the person you contact doesn’t have an answer at hand, he or she will know how to get you one.
It feels good to know that the dollars spent on cruise ship travel reach beyond the coffers of the cruise ship company. By choosing a cruise ship line that demonstrates a strong commitment to service and stewardship, travelers can live their values while still enjoying worldwide travel.
