Cruise LInes Respond to Typhoon Haiyan Disaster

Karen L. Nyberg, an astronaut aboard the International 
Space Station captured this photo of Super-Typhoon Haiyan 
from space on Nov. 9, 2013. Credit: NASA/ISS/Karen Nyberg

Super-typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane on the U.S. Saffir-Simpson scale, struck central Philippines early last Friday morning with sustained winds estimated at 195 mph (315 kph) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Initial reports estimated that as many as 10,000 people were killed and thousands injured by the powerful storm.  Philippines President Benigno Aquino III is now quoted as saying the initial estimate was "too much".

Many governments and organizations are coming to the aide of the people of Philippines in the wake of the storm.   Among them are several cruise lines who employee many Filipinos on their staffs, many of whom have been away from their families and friends for many months.  This is a hard time for those separated from their loved ones.


Footage of Super Typhoon Haiyan from the International Space Station      

At the time of this writing, we are aware of the following cruise lines that have made statements and offered support.  The lines have all pledged financial support and are setting up means for passengers to contribute onboard the ships as well. 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN  

MIAMI – November 11, 2013 – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) will join humanitarian relief efforts in response to the catastrophic damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the company announced.

Our thoughts go out to those affected by the typhoon in the Philippines. We are working with World Vision to provide humanitarian relief. Learn more and find out how you can help: http://bit.ly/16Z6xiZ

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara passengers can contribute online at worldvision.org/royalcaribbean and www.worldvision.org/azamaraclubcruises. The company said its efforts to help the people of the Philippines would total $1 million.
 
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

November 11

Everyone at Norwegian Cruise Line is truly saddened to hear of the significant devastation in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our crew members from the Philippines who have been impacted.

We have been in constant contact with our partners in Manila, who are actively reaching out to contact crew members and their families ..See More

Norwegians Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund

All of us at Norwegian Cruise Line are truly saddened to hear of the significant devastation in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our crew...Continue Reading ...

CARNIVAL CORPORATION

MIAMI, Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Carnival Corporation & plc, its 10 cruise brands and the Carnival Foundation will team up with the two-time defending NBA Champion Miami HEAT in making a pledge to donate at least $1 million to support relief efforts in communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.  Miami HEAT owner Micky Arison is also the chairman of Carnival Corporation & plc. 

"All of us at Carnival and the Miami HEAT extend our deepest sympathy to the Philippines and its people," Arison said. "The typhoon in the Philippines has caused massive destruction, and is having a tragic impact on people and families, including those members of our extended Carnival family who reside in the region. We are in the process of evaluating a variety of worthy organizations that are doing fantastic work in the Philippines. In addition to providing financial support for relief efforts, our collective thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have been impacted."

Continue Reading...

COSTA CRUISES

November 11

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Many members of the Costa family are from the Philippines, and to support them during this difficult time we will be donating $100,000 to help our Filipino crew members, their families and friends.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

November 11

All of our crew continue to appreciate your heartfelt messages regarding Typhoon Haiyan concerns. To date, we don’t have any verified info re damages, injuries or fatalities related to our crew, but admittedly communication is still difficult in some areas. NYK-FIL, our Philippines manning & recruiting agency, is helping crew with communications and locating family members, as well as reaching ...See More

     

More Links:

Philippines Government Gazette


Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Filipino community currently in the country, on cruise ships, or elsewhere across the globe. 

Underwater Footage - Images Costa Concordia

Images Tell the Story

You've heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words.   Today, we decided to let some pictures tell the story that is still unfolding in the frigid Mediterranean waters off the coast of Giglio, Italy.

To be honest, we've never even heard of the village of Giglio before the Costa Concordia accident.  Although we've been to the Mediterranean, that wasn't on our tinerary, nor was it for the passengers of the Concordia.  

When the story of 2012 is told in pictures,  these images will undoubtedly be among those.  We'll let them tell their story...


First pictures inside Costa Concordia following the tragic accident .  Several areas of the ship are shown, including before and after pictures of the restaurant, as crews start to explore the ship for survivors and victims.




Here is amazing footage from the search and rescue operations being carried out by the Italian Navy. It is in Italian, but you don't need a translation to understand the effort involved here. We salute the brave crews who are still working to account for all the passengers and crew of the Costa Concordia.

More Photo Galleries

Costa Concordia rescue effort - in pictures

Incredible rescue efforts