Royal Caribbean Cruises Provides Humanitarian Help To Haiti

Royal Caribbean Cruises has been one of Haiti's largest foreign investors for nearly thirty years, as such they have announced plans to provide much needed humanitarian help to the people of Haiti in response to the devastating earthquake.

Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Richard D. Fain has said 'The effect of the earthquake on Haiti has been catastrophic, leaving the country in need of not only immediate support, but assistance in their long-term recovery, Royal Caribbean wants to do its part to help out not only the general response, but also our hundreds of Haitian employees and their families through this disaster.'

Partnering charitable organisations which include Food for the Poor, Pan American Development Foundation, as well as the company's foundation, Solano Foundation, Royal Caribbean will delivering supplies to Haiti via their cruise ships.

Fain added 'In addition to our financial contribution, Royal Caribbean will continue to provide economic support through the continuous business we bring to Labadee.'
The aid began with Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas arriving at Labadee with supplies which included powered milk, dried beans, water and rice which were loaded onto the ship during its stop at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Over the next two weeks Royal Caribbean's ships which were scheduled to call at Labadee will also take extra supplies beginning with Navigator of the Seas on 18th January and Liberty of the Seas the following day, 19th January, and Celebrity Soltice on 22nd January.

Passengers on board Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises will be able to make donations Food for the Poor's Haiti Relief Fund, via a charge to their on board account. Royal Caribbean has more than 200 Haitian crew members, as such a portion of the $1 million donation will placed in the company's Crew Relief Fund which will enable the crew members to draw from in these desperate times.

Source information: Royal Caribbean Cruises

Floating Out Ceremony For Cunard's Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth, Cunard's new ship met the sea for the first time this week with a floating out ceremony at the shipbuilder's yard in Italy. The floating out ceremony is the name given when the dry dock in which the ship's exterior is completed is filled with water and then the ship is moved to a wet dock where interior building work will carry on.

Floating out is an auspicious occasion as it is the first time any ship takes to the water. Shipyard workers, along with the media and invited dignitaries watched a traditional coin ceremony to bring the ship good luck. The coins, a 1938 half crown, representing the year the first Queen Elizabeth was launched, a 1967 sovereign, the launch of the QE2 and a 2010 sovereign to commemorate the new ship's launch were welded under the ship's mast.

"Of our 170 years of history there has been an 'Elizabeth' in the fleet for over 70," Peter Shanks, Cunard's president and managing director, informed all who attended "and this ship -- the second largest Cunarder ever built -- will take the name far into the 21st century."

In Italian shipyard tradition, a madrina has already been named for Queen Elizabeth. Florence (Dennie) Farmer, a loyal Cunard cruises passenger and widow of the late Willie Farmer who served as chief engineer on both Queen Elizabeth and QE2, has been named as Queen Elizabeth's 'madrina' – godmother. Florence smashed a bottle of Italian sparkling wine against the party pained ship's hull prior to the values being opened as is the custom at floating out ceremonies.

Many are wondering whether Queen Elizabeth II herself will be asked to officially name the ship, however Cunard Cruises are keeping this close to their chest at present. The Queen Elizabeth is due to be completed in the autumn.

Cruise1st Joins Facebook

Did you know you can now recieve regular updates from cruise1st via Facebook?

Why not add us as your friend and we will ensure you will get the best offers as soon as we get them!

Cruise1st will also give you the option of browsing our extensive image library and enable you to view our videos before you travel.

Sign up and Save!