Carnival Australia today confirmed that ships from four of its cruise lines – P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line – have resumed scheduled calls to Fiji and that the organisation has contributed a combined $125,000 to Save the Children Australia’s Fiji relief efforts.
The resumption of Fiji cruise itineraries will help restore local business operations and income from cruise tourism following the devastation caused by Cyclone Winston.
The decision to resume calls to Fiji was made based on advice from port agents and local authorities who reported that communities at cruise destinations were again able to welcome cruise visitors.
Princess Cruises’ Dawn Princess is currently on the way to Fiji with calls planned for Suva, Lautoka (substituting for Savu Savu), Denarau and Dravuni. Carnival Cruise Line has three Fiji cruise itineraries in the next two months and P&O Cruises has six Fiji itineraries over the next three months. Holland America Line’s Noordam is due to call at Fiji in late April.
“We learned from experience with Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu last year that the community and local authorities were keen to see the ships return as soon as possible because cruise tourism was so important to their economy,” Carnival Australia Executive Chairman Ann Sherry said.
“Fiji has had a similarly devastating experience and we are pleased that the time is now right for the ships to return to again contribute to the economic life of the country at a time when it is needed most.
“We are also very pleased to be contributing to Save the Children Australia’s relief efforts in Fiji which have highlighted the incredible power of Cyclone Winston and the resilience and courage of the people of Fiji.”
Carnival Australia already has a strong relationship with Save the Children Australia through the P&O Pacific Partnership which funds the construction of kindergartens and health clinics in Vanuatu via voluntary passenger contributions of one dollar from onboard accounts.
The $125,000 being contributed to Save the Children Australia’s disaster relief in Fiji is comprised of $50,000 from the Carnival Foundation, $50,000 from the P&O Pacific Partnership’s passenger contributions and $25,000 from Princess Cruises.
SOURCE: Carnival Australia