Behind the Scenes Seafarers' House

Welcoming

Mariners

of all Faiths

“To Offer Refuge, Resources, Renewal and Respect to the Maritime Community Through Multi-Faith Service.” 

- Mission of Seafarers’ House

http://www.seafarershouse.org/



Visit to Seafarers' House

CLIA's Cruise3Sixty Conference continued today with various activities planned for the agents attending.  I decided to take the opportunity to tour Seafarers' House which is located about 10 minutes from Port Everglades.

I had the opportunity to meet two of the instrumental figures at Seafarers' House: Rev. Ronald Perkins, Port Chaplain, and Lesley Warrick, Executive Director.   They explained their mission to us and gave us a behind the scenes tour of their facility.

About Seafarers' House

According to Rev. Perkins, "Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades is open throughout the year as a safe, friendly place where mariners can connect with their communities and families, relax, seek guidance and get emergency help if needed. We provide access to pastoral care and counseling, emergency assistance, local ground transportation and everyday items through our pastoral team and our on shore and on board services.  Every mariner that arrives in Port Everglades is welcome at our center.  Those who may not be able leave their ships due to time constraints or visa restrictions have access to our services from their vessels through our ship-visiting program."

Some of the ways they help mariners:

• pickup from ship in one of their vans
• can attend mass and other religious services
• use of WiFi
• shop for favorite items to take on board
• transfer paycheck home to family

Critical Mission

Being away from family, friends, and other loved ones is hard.  If you've ever been away from someone you love for even a couple days, you can probably imagine what it is like to be away for months on end.  Granted, the crew members make new friends, and have their extended families on board the ship, but it just isn't the same.

Crew members on a cruise ship are always expected to have a smile for passengers.  No matter how down they might feel themselves, they need to do so, or their livelihood could be at risk.

This is where Seafarers' House comes in. It could take on many forms, ranging from offering a helping hand, a listening ear, or providing a gift for the holidays.

You Can Help

I promised Rev. Perkins that I'd spread the word about the good work they are doing at Seafarers' House. Until this FAM trip, I wasn't even aware of their organization, and how the things they do behind the scenes helps my clients and I have an enjoyable vacation. The mariners that are helped by their organization are much more likely to make your trip enjoyable if their problems have been resolved.


Your contribution to Seafarers’ House allows them to make a difference, one seafarer at a time.  In 2014 Seafarers’ House provided 1,900 ship visits, served more than 2,100 mariners with personalized pastoral care sessions, and distributed more than 1,400 shoeboxes for Christmas.

By the way, those of us on this behind the scenes tour had the opportunity to make some shoeboxes to be distributed.  I'll be posting more pictures on my Facebook page, so be sure to visit me there as well.


Thank you Father Perkins and everyone at Seafarers' House for what you do for Mariners.

Cruise3sixty Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Tenth Anniversary 

CLIA Cruise3sixty

Those of you that follow me on Facebook have, already had a glimpse last week's events  as I posted a few images from CLIA's 10th Annual Cruise3sixty conference which was being held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

It was exciting being here for part of this historic occasion.   I've attended all but last year's conference which was held in Vancouver.

With CLIA CEO Christine Duffy at Cruise3sixty

Cruise Lines International Association, Inc (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines and travel agents before regulatory and legislative policy makers. 

CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members.

CLIA North America is comprised of 26 cruise lines and 10,500 travel agencies representing more than 35,000 individual travel agents. In addition, more than 120 of the most innovative suppliers of goods and services to the cruise industry make up CLIA’s Executive Partner Program.

As a Master Cruise Counselor (MCC),  it is necessary for me to complete additional training each year in order to be re-certified.    CLIA's Cruise3sixty conference is a great way to meet those requirements and exceed them by attending seminars from many of the industry's leaders and interacting with agents and suppliers on 1-1 basis throughout the week.

Congratulations Christine Duffy and the entire CLIA staff for hosting yet another fabulous Cruise3sixty conference. I'm looking forward to next year's conference which will be back in Fort Lauderdale.

In my next posts, I'll talk more about some of my week's activities including ship inspections onboard some of the newest ships afloat.

Travel Bus Visits Cruise3Sixty Conference

Get America Moving

Vote Travel

We've just returned from the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) successful annual cruise3sixty conference at the Broward County Convention Center.   

Stopping at the convention center was the U.S. Travel Association’s (USTA) “Vote Travel – Get America Moving” travel bus which is making its way across America to get its message out during this election year.  In fact the bus will travel 20,000 miles to raise awareness of the significant economic impact of the $1.8 trillion U.S. travel industry.  Travel supports 14.4 million American jobs that cannot be outsourced, which is why we need policies that allow the travel industry to thrive.

USTA is encouraging the public to get out and vote for candidates and elected officials that will support the travel industry.  Speaking to cruise3sixty delegates earlier, USTA president and CEO, Roger Dow, said, “We are galvanizing support and asking all Americans to “Vote Travel” this election season."

CLIA's President and CEO, Christine Duffy, said “Travel is a bipartisan industry.  Vote Travel is not an endorsement of any political candidate or political party; it’s a vote to Get America Moving.  The cruise industry’s economic contribution is substantial, contributing more than $40 million annually to the U.S. economy and generating more than 350,000 jobs a year. It’s vitally important that this industry and the public stand up and advocate for the importance of travel and tourism.”

Everyone love's travel, but we often take for granted the impact we can have on our nation.  So, please visit the USTA website to learn more about this grassroots movement.  Perhaps the travel bus will be visiting near you soon.