Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a leading global cruise company operating the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, today announced a partnership with All Hands Volunteers, the world’s leading disaster relief organization, and set the goal of raising $ 2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program. With Hope Starts Here, the company is committing to get up to $ 1.25 million in donations from its valued guests, team members, suppliers and partners in order to substantially assist All Hands Volunteers (hands.org), a non-profit organization (501 (c) 3) and Happy Hearts Fund (happyheartsfund.org) to rebuild safe and resilient schools in the Caribbean islands impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
“We are heartbroken to see the devastation that Hurricanes Irma and Mary inflicted on various Caribbean islands that our ships have been visiting since the beginning of our 50 years of business,” said Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “The Caribbean is part of our family, and we are grateful for the work of All Hands Volunteers and Happy Hearts Fund to create the Hurricane Relief Program and do our part in recovering those destinations. a donation of $ 600,000 to help start rebuilding efforts. ”
“We are incredibly grateful for this support from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and our ongoing partnership with Happy Hearts Fund to provide their support and experience,” said David Campbell, president and founder of All Hands Volunteers. “As the largest donation in our organization’s history, such funding could not have come at a more crucial time as we work to rebuild communities in the US Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands following the destruction brought on by recent natural disasters, Hurricanes Irma and Mary All Hands Volunteers will work together with local communities to meet their long-term needs and rebuild hope ”
“We are thrilled to receive this donation from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and work in partnership with All Hands Volunteers in their efforts to relieve hurricanes in the Caribbean islands and the Florida Keys,” said Petra Nemcova, founder of Happy Hearts Fund. “This funding will enable us to rebuild safe and resilient schools in areas most affected by recent natural disasters to keep children safe, but also to ensure that these communities are not forgotten when emergency response efforts are complete. more years for schools to be rebuilt and hopefully more companies will have the same initiatives thinking for long-term recovery. ”
Following Hurricane Irma, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. immediately moved Norwegian Sky to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands to carry 35 essential supply pallets and assist in humanitarian efforts to evacuate residents and visitors. In addition, one of the company’s newest ships, the Norwegian Escape, also housed approximately 4,000 displaced people who failed to secure flights home due to hurricanes. The company continues to collect essential items, including medical supplies, diapers, baby food, water, food, building materials, blankets, sleeping bags and more, and is working with partners on the ground to support disaster relief efforts .