Carnival Corporation has announced that its philanthropic arm, the Carnival Foundation, five of its cruise line brands and the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation have collectively pledged over $1.25 million to support disaster recovery efforts from the wildfires causing widespread devastation throughout Australia.
The pledge includes $1 million from the family foundation of Carnival Corporation's Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine, in addition to $250,000 from Carnival Foundation and five of the company's brands – P&O Cruises (Australia), Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. All five brands have ships based year-round in Australia or homeport seasonally in the country.
Similar to donations following recent hurricanes and typhoons, support is being directed to both immediate and long-term relief efforts. Based on input from local officials and community leaders, the $1 million donation will be provided to support the most timely and urgent relief needs throughout the country. As previously announced, the $250,000 donation has been committed to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
"Our cruise lines carried hundreds of thousands of Aussies and international guests on voyages this summer, and this gesture is a sign of our solidarity with the local community," said Sture Myrmell, president of Carnival Australia, which comprises several of the corporation's brands operating in the country, in a written statement.
The company's commitment follows the combined AU$50,000 donation from P&O Cruises (Australia) and its guests to the St Vincent de Paul Society in late 2019 to support residents of New South Wales and Queensland impacted by the local bushfires at that time.
Other travel brands, including Etihad and Intrepid Group, have also pledged to aid relief efforts. Intrepid is matching all donations up to AUD $200,000 to the Red Cross Bushfire Emergency Appeal, while Etihad is working with the Emirates Red Crescent to raise funds within the UAE to support relief efforts.
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