Four cruise lines under the Carnival Australia brand – P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America have resumed their Fiji itineraries post cyclone Winston that disrupted port calls of many cruise ships around February 20, 2016.
Carnival Australia has also announced a contribution of $125,000 to Save the Children Australia’s Fiji relief efforts, comprising of $50,000 from Carnival Foundation, $50,000 from P&O Pacific Partnership and $25,000 from Princess Cruises.
The decision to resume calls in Fiji was made after the advice of local port authorities and to also help local businesses that were impacted due to the cyclone.
The Dawn Princess is currently on its way to Fiji with calls at Suva, Lautoka (substituting for Savu Savu), Denarau and Dravuni. Carnival Cruise Line has three Fiji itineraries in next two months, while P&O Cruises has six itineraries in next three months. Holland America’s MS Noordam will also visit Fiji in late April.
“We learned from experience with Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu last year that the community and local authorities were keen to see the ships return as soon as possible because cruise tourism was so important to their economy,” Carnival Australia Executive Chairman Ann Sherry said.
“Fiji has had a similarly devastating experience and we are pleased that the time is now right for the ships to return to again contribute to the economic life of the country at a time when it is needed most.
“We are also very pleased to be contributing to Save the Children Australia’s relief efforts in Fiji which have highlighted the incredible power of Cyclone Winston and the resilience and courage of the people of Fiji.”
Read Cruise Passenger’s story about Cyclone Winston here
