More on RCCL's Haiti Relief Efforts

Following up on the promised aid to Haiti, Royal Caribbean has detailed their future plans for relief efforts to the devastated country.

Royal Caribbean is partnering with charitable organizations – such as Food for the Poor, Pan American Development Foundation and the Solano Foundation, the company’s foundation in Haiti, to provide additional assistance to the people of Haiti. Royal Caribbean will also be delivering much needed goods and supplies to Haiti via their cruise ships.

“The effect of the earthquake on Haiti has been catastrophic, leaving the country in need of not only immediate support, but assistance in their long-term recovery,” said Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of RCCL. “Royal Caribbean wants to do its part to help out not only the general response, but also our hundreds of Haitian employees and their families through this disaster. In addition to our financial contribution, Royal Caribbean will continue to provide economic support through the continuous business we bring to Labadee.”

Leslie Voltaire, special envoy of the government of Haiti to the United Nations, said: “Given the terrible economic and social challenges we now face in Haiti, we welcome the continuation of the positive economic benefits that the cruise ship calls to Labadee contribute to our country.”

Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas made a call Jan. 15 at Labadee, Haiti, to deliver supplies for Haiti. The supplies were loaded on the ship during its call in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and include items such as rice, dried beans, powdered milk, water and canned goods. In addition, 100 percent of the company’s net revenue from Labadee will be contributed to the relief effort.

In the next two weeks, the following ships are scheduled to call on Labadee with additional supplies: Navigator of the Seas on Monday, Jan. 18; Liberty of the Seas on Tuesday, Jan. 19; and Celebrity Solstice on Friday, Jan. 22. When the supplies arrive in Labadee, they will be transported to an offsite location to be distributed by Food for the Poor, a long time partner of Royal Caribbean in Haiti.

In addition to working with Food for the Poor to distribute relief supplies, guests sailing onboard Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises will be able to make a donation to Food for the Poor’s Haiti Relief Fund, via a charge to their onboard account. Guests who would like to contribute immediately can visit www.foodforthepoor.org/royalcaribbean to make a donation. Royal Caribbean also plans to use a portion of the $1 million donation to augment the company’s Crew Relief Fund, which can be drawn on by any of the company’s more than 200 Haitian crew members for assistance, as well as to match employee contributions to the partner organizations. As the initial response effort gives way to the long-term recovery effort, Royal Caribbean said it will consider further support efforts. For more information, visit www.rclinvestor.com.

Royal Caribbean on Haiti Quake

Prior to yesterday, Haiti evoked varying thoughts in cruisers. Most would probably equate it with hurricanes over the years. Some who follow the news would immediately think of Papa Doc Duvalier (and Baby Doc) the dictators who are much to blame for even current day Haiti's poverty. But for cruisers on Royal Caribbean, Haiti often evokes very happy memories of a great day at the beach spent at Labadee, RCCL's private island, which happens to be at the tip of Haiti.

Geographically isolated from the epicenter near Port au Prince, Labadee is not a focus of the rescue efforts and early reports indicate no significant damage to the facilities. But with cruise calls scheduled over the next week, it is on the mind of many, not the least of whom is Royal Caribbean President and CEO Adam Goldstein.

RCCL is well known for its charitable endeavors, including disaster assistance including delivering relief supplies after the hurricane in Cozumel a few years ago among many others. When I first heard of the earthquake, I wondered how long it would be before they were involved in the efforts. Others wondered the same thing, and I fielded calls from clients and the press today.

Tonight, Adam Goldstein addressed the catastrophe in his blog. You can read it for yourself at Nation of Why Not. It shows clearly the corporate heart, spirit and generosity of this line, and puts assistance first. I expect this to be the first of several posts on this subject, and likely will be providing information on relief efforts.

While I expect all the major lines to participate in this effort if needed, because of Royal Caribbean's close relationship and partnership with Haiti, they will likely be in the forefront. Thank you, RCCL, for all you do, and for being the type of company who gives back without question when the need arises.

If you are wondering what you can do to help, of course the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are two organizations you can feel safe in giving your hard-earned money. They are already there and helping. Doctors Without Borders already had more than 700 medical professionals in the country, and with that infrastructure, they will take the lead in medical relief. The Red Cross has already used all of their existing resources in Haiti, and are working on getting new supplies. A donation to either organization would go right where it is needed.