Beware of things that go bump in the night when cruising during hurricane season

   Out to Sea for Sept. 28/19

 

   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox

   When the “barf bags” appeared beside the elevators, we knew we were in for a rough night at sea.

   But it became unnerving when people posted onYouTube to “pray for the people on the Carnival Sunrise” facing the wrath of Hurricane Humberto.

   We hung on as the ship bobbed from side to side like a huge rubber ducky and plunged forward through the night like a rollercoaster into the hollow of the waves.

Monster waves began to calm after the Carnival Sunrise turned back toward New York in this balcony photo. (Jim Fox photo)

    We had watched the growing intensity of the hurricane last week while preparing to leave for New York and a one-week sailing to Bermuda and return.

   We never made it.

   When we booked the cruise with 10 family members, we were aware of the perils of “hurricane season.”

   But Bermuda is off the hurricane track and where strong storms are quite rare.

   Upon boarding the ship at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, we were given a note from Captain Isidoro Renda.

   It was our first indication that something had to give.

Carnival Cruise Line resumes regular calls to the Bahamas

(News Release)

Line will make 41 Port-of-Call Stops in September

 

      Carnival Pride at anchor at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas in 2018. (Jim Fox photo)

MIAMI (Sept. 8, 2019) - As Carnival Cruise Line continues to work closely with its partners to deliver relief to the people of Grand Bahama and Abaco islands recovering from Hurricane Dorian, it also plans 41 calls to Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays for the remainder of September as those destinations eagerly await cruise guests.

Bahamian officials have expressed great appreciation for the support Carnival and its employees and guests have provided but also stressed that the other parts of The Bahamas are open for business and stand ready to welcome guests.

"Thank you to all who have joined us to support our friends in the Bahamas with donations," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Our work to assist and support continues.

And as our ships and our guests return to Bahamian ports of call, our visits will make sure that our guests experience the beauty of The Bahamas and that the economy moves forward and jobs will be supported."

 

Half Moon Cay (today) after Hurricane Dorian (Carnival photo)

Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, private island of Holland America Line and Carnival Cruises, emerged relatively unscathed by Hurricane Dorian

Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas

Half Moon Cay's horses used for swimming by cruise guests and stingrays are doing well and Holland America's Zuiderdam will be returning to the island next month.

CARNIVAL CORPORATION STATEMENT:
Carnival Corporation’s President and CEO Arnold Donald posted the following statement regarding their support for the Bahamas:

On behalf of all of us at Carnival Corporation and our cruise line brands, let me begin by saying our thoughts and prayers go out to the great people of The Bahamas — our friends and partners for many years.

It was very emotional seeing reports of Hurricane Dorian’s impact over the past couple days. Our hearts go out to those who have lost friends and loved ones, and whose homes and businesses have been destroyed or damaged.

Carnival Corporation and Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation pledge $2 million for Hurricane Dorian Relief

 (News Release)

 - Pledge from Carnival Foundation, philanthropic arm of the world's largest leisure travel company, and its nine global cruise line brands to be matched by Carnival Corporation Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine's Family Foundation

- Earlier today Carnival Corporation announced a partnership with Tropical Shipping to collect and ship donations to The Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

 --

MIAMI, Sept. 4, 2019-- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), the world's largest leisure travel company, today announced that the corporation's philanthropic arm, Carnival Foundation, and its nine global cruise line brands together with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation have pledged to donate $2 million in funding and in-kind support for relief efforts in The Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian.

Carnival Foundation and the company's nine cruise line brands – Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK) – are pledging a total of $1 million in monetary and in-kind donations in support of immediate relief and recovery efforts in The Bahamas. Carnival Corporation Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine are matching the corporation's commitment with a $1 million donation from the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation.

The Walt Disney Company to donate more than $1 million to relief and recovery efforts in the Bahamas

(News Release)

 

BURBANK, Calif., September 3, 2019 – 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.

 

“The Walt Disney Company stands with the people of The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.

“We hope our $1 million donation will provide much-needed relief and help our neighbors, colleagues, and all those impacted by this devastating storm begin the long process of recovery as they work to put their lives and communities back together.”

 

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.