Cruise Companies show strong support for Filipino Crew

How many times during your cruise do you think about the people behind the scenes. Sure, we all think they do a fabulous job and they leave us wanting for nothing. I might think the waiters are super because they remember my drink every time I go to the bar (I like to think it’s because they pay close attention and not from the frequency of my visits), or I sing the praises of the cabin attendants for cleaning my room again, for the second time that day!

But do we really think about the person behind the name badge? Do you wonder what’s going on in their lives behind the façade of the every day business of the ship? To be honest I don’t normally. I am on holiday to get away from it all, to relax, get a bit of sun on my bones and have a good time.

This weeks awful heart breaking scenes in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan, really were so sad. It bring home that we are at the mercy of weather and with estimates of over 10,000 dying this really is a tragedy. But out of such an awful, unthinkable event, some people’s humanity shines through. Cruise passengers on the website Cruise Critic have been wanting to try and help the Filipino crew on board the many cruise ships around the world. Cruise Critic reached out to the Cruise Lines to see what is being done for their staff on board and how passengers can help in this trying time.

NCL are giving a strong message of love and support to their affected crew. They are supporting them on board with contacting family members back home, they are also making arrangements to get their crew home if they need to do so. The out cry from passengers both new and old, was so high they have set up a support fund that you can donate to, which will go to the crew members who have been  affected by this tragedy:

Norwegian Cruise Line
Attention: Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund
7665 Corporate Center Drive
Miami, FL 33126

Fred Olsen are also leading the way by making a sizeable donation to its crew agent in the area to distribute to families in dire need. The majority of the crew over the Fred Olsen Crew are from the Philippines and company wide they are feeling the hurt, loss and sadness as if it were their own families. Donations by passengers is greatly appreciate and can be sent to the following address:

Deborah Moore, Accounts Department
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen House, White House Road
Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 5LL, United Kingdom.

Royal Caribbean – They have said they are deeply saddened by the destruction in the Philippines and will announce shortly how they are to help the crew members affected.

Carnival, Crystal and Costa Cruises are both providing free calls and internet time to their crew to enable them to call and make contact with their loved ones still in the Philippines.

It is fantastic to see so many cruise lines supporting their own people – and great that some are giving us, the passengers, the opportunity to give a little back to help in their time of need. The crew on board our favourite ships, all over the world, work tirelessly day and night to make our holidays memorable – lets try and make some good out of this unthinkable event, buy showing them back some of the warmth given to us.