Carnival Corporation Chairman Micky Arison has matched Carnival Australia’s existing $150,000 combined contribution to Save the Children Australia’s relief efforts in cyclone devastated Vanuatu.
Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry said Mr Arison’s generous contribution through the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation has brought the total Carnival contribution to Vanuatu’s recovery to $300,000.
“Like all of us, Mr Arison has been closely following the events in Vanuatu with the utmost concern for the people of Vanuatu whom we have come to know and love over many years of cruising,” Ms Sherry said.
“We are very grateful to Mr Arison and his family foundation for this wonderful gesture, which will have an immediate and positive effect on the relief effort now underway in Vanuatu.
“We are doing everything we can to support our charity partner, Save the Children Australia. Their team is already active on the ground and has sent additional people and humanitarian aid with the first Royal Australian Air Force flight.
“It will be some time before our cruise ships can again call at Vila but we want to resume voyages as soon as authorities give the all clear because cruise tourism is the mainstay of the Vanuatu economy and it will be vital to help the country rebuild.”
Ms Sherry said P&O Cruises’ Pacific Dawn, which left Brisbane last Saturday, was due to call at Vila on Wednesday but on the advice of authorities the call will not go ahead and the ship’s itinerary has been revised.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Legend will call at Luganville on Thursday, which was not as badly affected by Cyclone Pam. Carnival Legend is carrying a supply of bottled water and a generator.
Plans are currently being developed for Carnival Australia ships sailing to Vanuatu to also carry building materials to assist with long term reconstruction in the wake of the cyclone.
Carnival Australia is the biggest cruise operator in the Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific region and represents seven distinct cruise brands – P&O Cruises Australia, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard and P&O Cruises World Cruising.
SOURCE Carnival Corporation