Rescue of the Seas

After the devastation, and loss of lives after Hurricane Irma, it was heart warming to hear about a major cruise line assisting with rescues and delivering much needed supplies.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria have impacted islands and communities from the Caribbean to Florida and beyond. Following the storms, Royal Caribbean mobilized Adventure, Majesty and Empress of the Seas to provide immediate help with provisions and evacuation efforts.

Royal Caribbean canceled a cruise in order to send Adventure of the Seas to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on a mission to help hurricane victims. The ship, which can carry 3,114 passengers, was sent to San Juan, St. Croix and St. Thomas to pick up evacuees and bring life saving supplies.

The ship picked up passengers in Saint Martin and Saint Thomas. What’s usually a party boat turned into a floating shelter housing hundreds of people. Some of the rescued sang for joy when the ship arrived in Puerto Rico and thanked the crew that came to their rescue.  “It was horrible, but thank God we made it,” one man said. “And thank you all people you doing good job, we have reception that was warm and kind.”

Speaking from Royal Caribbean International’s Enchantment of the Seas, where the Miami-based cruise line evacuated its employees on a course away from the storm, president and CEO Michael Bayley explained “We have been such a part of the Caribbean and South Florida communities for so many decades. We are worried and anxious. At the end of the day, we wanted to try to help as much as we can.”

Amazingly even some of the passengers stayed on the ship to assist with the efforts.  Royal Caribbean chairman and CEO Richard Fain was touched by how many of the passengers stayed on board. “They would talk to them they would help them, they wanted to help us distribute supplies and so we were actually a little surprised but quite pleased. Sometimes disaster brings out the best and sometimes the worst — here I think we saw the best in so many people,” Fain said.

Royal Caribbean were responsible for evacuating 5,507 people and 127 animals. They also dropped off the following essential supplies.

40,000 Gallons of water

25 Pallets of Medical Supplies

9,355 Gallons of milk

51,560 Pounds of ice

123,800 Garbage bags

13,050 Pounds of pet food

450 Generators

32,503 Cases of non-perishable food

55,424  Batteries

4,000 Mattresses

78, 000 Gloves

Click here for amazing Royal Caribbean deals.  http://goo.gl/VonmL3

If you use social media, please click on this link, LIKE my page and you will be able to see all the amazing deals I can offer?

https://www.facebook.com/gordonmaneycruise/