Carnival is the Caribbean’s largest cruise operator, carrying millions of passengers to dozens of destinations in the region, the vast majority of which were unaffected by the storms.
As of September 14, we are back to our regular cruise rotation, with very limited impact to our upcoming itineraries. Each and every day our ships are carrying some 60,000 guests sailing to beautiful ports of call within The Bahamas and Caribbean region. Only four ports have not reopened at this time: St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Grand Turk and Key West. We look forward to returning to these ports as soon as they are ready to receive cruise guests. We will continue to maintain all of our eastern, southern and western Caribbean itineraries and, in the limited instances where necessary, offer highly attractive substitute ports.
As rebuilding efforts begin in the affected islands, Carnival Corporation, Miami HEAT Charitable Fund and the foundation of Carnival Corporation Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine (the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation) have pledged up to $10 million in funding and in-kind support in Florida and throughout the Caribbean following Hurricane Irma. An immediate donation by the Micky and Madeleine Arison Foundation of $2.5 million will benefit Direct Relief, UNICEF and the United Way of Miami-Dade County to support the most timely and urgent relief needs.
Carnival Cruise Line is also providing extensive and wide-ranging relief throughout the Caribbean and will deliver critical supplies and the most immediate necessities, including food, water, clothing, diapers, and generators, among other items, to Grand Turk, St, Maarten, St. Thomas and Barbuda as part of our ongoing cruise itineraries. Carnival is also donating 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales for two upcoming Carnival LIVE performances by comedian Chris Tucker aboard Carnival Liberty and Carnival Breeze to Hurricane Irma relief.
In addition, for Hurricane Harvey, Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Corporation and the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation have already donated $2 million to support the relief and rebuilding efforts. Monies have been directed to Save the Children, Houston Food Bank, Direct Relief, Operation Homefront and United Way of Greater Houston. These organizations are providing food, water, medicine, shelter and other basic necessities to residents in the most impacted areas.
There is no better show of support for the regions impacted by these storms than to continue to visit. We look forward to continuing to provide our guests with exceptional and memorable cruise experiences and supporting our homeport and port of call communities impacted by the storms.
You can also participate in the relief effort by clicking here or texting SUPPORT to 707070.
Our thoughts continue to be with those affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.