Carnival Cruise Line is in full Hurricane relief mode with one ship providing urgent supplies and aid to residents from the island of Barbuda in the Eastern Caribbean.
Carnival Fascination is the first ship in the fleet to send urgent supplies to residents from the Eastern Caribbean of Barbuda which has been totally wiped out from Hurricane Irma and then hit again by Hurricane Maria. The Fantasy class ship docked in St. John, Antigua as part of a revised itinerary due to Hurricane hit islands being closed.
Gustavo Antorcha EVP Guest Shipboard Operations for Carnival Cruise Line said:
“The operation from Carnival Fascination has been completed and we thank the ship team, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, and our agent, Brysons Shipping for supporting this important effort.”
“Carnival Cruise Line appreciates the long-standing relationship with the people of Antigua-Barbuda and the opportunity to support Carnival Corp and Government’s efforts to bring relief as well as aid to those impacted by recent storms,”
The Carnival cruise ship arrived at Antigua on September 22 which is part of an altered 7-night itinerary to replace the calls in Hurricane hit St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Supplies were distributed to Barbuda residents who were evacuated to the sister island of Antigua.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism Minister, The Honourable Asot Michael said:
“The humanitarian efforts by Carnival Cruise Lines shows our tourism partner’s commitment to our Caribbean destinations, not only as a business partner, but as a stakeholder with a vested interest in the development of the Caribbean and specifically to our twin-island state and the rebuild of Barbuda.
“Your confidence in Antigua and Barbuda as a port of call, and your return to our shores with passengers and crew, increases the tangible support for our main industry of tourism which is a driver for economic growth and sustainable development in Antigua and Barbuda.”
Thankfully the port in Antigua has been able to cater for cruise ships and not damaged by the Hurricane. Carnival cruise ships including Fascination will continue to dock there until the situation at the usual port of calls get back up and running.
Also Read: Carnival Cruise Terminal in San Juan Sustains Extensive Damage
Carnival Fascination is a Fantasy-class ship and has been impacted by Hurricane Maria which caused major destruction and power outage in Puerto Rico. The ship departures from San Juan and Barbados have been cancelled and the vessel will operate out of PortMiami.
