Celebrity Equinox Rerouted to Help Disaster-Torn Bahamas

Following the havoc caused by Hurricane Dorian when it made landfall in the Bahamas earlier this week, Celebrity Cruises have sailed into the breach to offer much-needed relief.

Celebrity Cruises Response

Celebrity Equinox embarked Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday for a 7 night Caribbean itinerary, and was due to call at Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. However, following reports of the devastation caused by the Category 5 hurricane and its 185 mph winds, the decision was made to reroute the 3000 passenger ship to partially-destroyed Freeport, Grand Bahama instead.

In a letter to delivered to guests, Celebrity explained that it would compensate them for missing the intended port with an onboard credit but that the decision to extend aid was rooted in a deeper purpose:

"The Bahamas hold a special place in our hearts as a treasured place for our guests, and home to more than 500 of our colleagues," the letter said. "Now, in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, we are rolling up our sleeves to help our friends." (Excerpt)

On Friday, whilst en route, 10,000 meals - from sandwiches to hot dishes such as chicken, rice and beans - were being prepared by the ships kitchen staff working double shifts, with guests pitching in to plate them up and pack them up. Also, more than 300,000 bottles of water were being handed out by Celebrity Cruises.

In addition to food, guests and crew also donated over 10 boxes of clothing to be distributed by charity workers ashore. A flotilla of lifeboats and tugs were used to ferry the aid to shore.

Ongoing support will continue over the coming days with the company looking to establish a field kitchen on land to continue providing fresh meals. Other Celebrity ships will stop in Freeport bringing with them more food, deck chairs for sleeping, pillows, bedding, towels and much-needed medical supplies. 

OTHER CRUISE LINES RESPONSE TO HURRICANE DORIAN

The Bahamas have long been a mainstay of the cruise industry, with many companies owning private island resorts in the region. Cruise lines have been swift to step up and repay their great debt of gratitude to the country.

Royal Caribbean (who owns Celebrity Cruises), announced commit $1 million to Hurricane Dorian disaster relief. RCCL is also matching employee and guest donations to the Pan American Development for hurricane relief. 

Royal Caribbean have said that it would also load relief supplies - generators, water, cleaning supplies, clean sheets, towels, and other goods - aboard its vessels for direct delivery to the Bahamas. Its in-house response team has also been dispatched to assist with relief efforts.

Disney Cruise Line has committed more than $1 million in cash and support to help relief and recovery efforts.

Carnival Corporation, the parent company of nine global cruise lines, pledged to donate $2 million in relief to the Bahamas, in partnership with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it will deploy the Norwegian Breakaway on a "special mission" to deliver supplies to Nassau donated by team members and the city of Miami. The cruise line also committed $1 million to the non-profit relief organization All Hands and Hearts to "begin an immediate short-term response."

MSC Cruises has pledged to support those affected on the island by delivering goods, providing temporary housing and using MSC geared ships for relief services from the US to the Bahamas.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line dispatched its ship Grand Celebration from Palm Beach to bring relief supplies, first responders, stranded Bahamian nationals and disaster relief volunteers to Freeport. They have also offered any Bahamians wishing to evacuate, free passage to Florida.

The impact of Hurricane Dorian

The International Red Cross fears 45% of homes on Grand Bahama and the Abacos - around 13,000 properties - were severely damaged or destroyed.

Parts of the Bahamas received up to 35in (89cm) of rain, leaving vast areas of it flooded.

The only international airport in Grand Bahama was also devastated. As a result, it could not be used for evacuations or aid deliveries.

The World Health Organisation said flooding had rendered Grand Bahama's main hospital unusable, and a field hospital would need to be set up in its place.

Sadly, the official death toll stands at over 40, but is expected to rise further.

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