Cruise Industry Responds in Wake of Typhoon Haiyan

CEBU, Philippines - Filipinos make up a large percentage of the crews that staff cruise ships, and numerous cruise lines have stepped up to provide support.

Filipinos are the largest nationality represented on the cruise lines of the Royal Caribbean family of brands, which includes Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Azamara, Pullmantur and Croisières de France. More than 12,800 employees of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. call the Philippines home. The company committed $1 million toward disaster aid, sent an emergency team to the hardest-hit areas and is helping employees connect with relatives in the Philippines.

Carnival Corp. and its affiliated brands -- which include Holland America, Princess, Seabourn, Costa, Cunardand P&O Cruises -- have partnered with the Miami Heat basketball team to pledge at least $1 million toward typhoon relief efforts. The company is providing free phone calls and Internet access and personalized logistical support to its Filipino staff.

Each of the affiliated brands have made contributions. Cunard and P&O donated $100,000. Holland Americaand Seabourn pledged $25,000 toward disaster relief. Costa has donated $100,000 to a crew fund. Princessalso has made donations to relief organizations.

Norwegian has set up a relief fund for crew members and their families and is helping employees contact family and make travel arrangements.

Finally, Vacations To Go has donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in the Philippines.

I have written before in this column of my admiration for the gracious and talented Filipino crew members I have had the pleasure of meeting on cruise ships, of their ability to deliver inspired service with a smile to an ever-changing audience of demanding passengers while living for months at a time away from their homes and families.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured and suffering and those who lost loved ones, homes and businesses. (FREEMAN)