Cruise Lines Support Hurricane Relief!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from The International Council of Cruise
Lines (ICCL) and thought it would be of interest. If you have missed
any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


CRUISE LINES SUPPORT HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF

Cruise Lines Donate Money, Provide Ships for Shelter

ARLINGTON, VA September 9, 2005
In the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina, the cruise
industry is lending its aid and support through a variety of means.
Members of the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) and Cruise
Lines International Association (CLIA) have donated more than $2.6
million in relief support thus far and that number will continue to
rise as cruise lines contribute additional funds, goods and resources.

In the early days of the relief response, individual cruise line
hurricane relief efforts to date have included:

• Chartering three cruise ships to the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) to shelter evacuees or aid relief workers in the Gulf
region

• Working with FEMA to coordinate the possibility of providing medical
personnel, supplies and food services

• Monetary donations to the American Red Cross, volunteer shelters and
children’s charities

• Corporate programs to match employee donations dollar-for-dollar

• Optional employee payroll deductions for donations to relief funds

• Offering passengers the option to contribute to relief funds through
shipboard accounts or through the cruise line’s Web site

• Shipments of furniture and soft goods for use in shelters and
rebuilding efforts

• Donation of several cruises for an online charity auction

• Delivery of drinking water to rescue operations in Mobile

The cruise industry has aided local communities throughout the world
following natural disasters just in the past year with the 2004
hurricane season affecting the Caribbean and United States, as well as
the tsunami devastation in Southeast Asia. Millions of dollars in aid
and supplies were donated from the cruise lines to help those areas
respond and rebuild.

As they have in these stricken areas, cruise ships will return to New
Orleans and Mobile when they are allowed, supporting local economies
through tourism. “We recognize the lengthy recovery process and the
cruise industry is a dedicated partner in the restoration of this
important region,” said Michael Crye, ICCL president.

“Our most heartfelt prayers are with the residents of the Gulf Coast
region as they rebuild from this tragedy,” said Terry Dale, CEO and
president of CLIA. “We will continue to assist in every way to help
this vital area of our country return to its important role in our
industry.”

Additional updates on relief efforts on behalf of the cruise lines
will be posted at www.iccl.org.

About CLIA: The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the
premier nonprofit cruise industry marketing organization comprising 19
leading cruise lines, which collectively accommodate nearly 98 percent
of North American cruise passengers. CLIA member travel agencies – of
which there are 16,700 – are considered the consumer’s very best
resource when planning a cruise vacation. For more information on
CLIA, its member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit
www.cruising.org.


About the ICCL: The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL)
represents the interests of 16 passenger cruise lines that call on
major ports in the United States and abroad. ICCL member lines
include: Carnival Cruise Lines; Celebrity Cruises; Costa Cruise Line
N.V.; Crystal Cruises; Cunard Line; Disney Cruise Line; Holland
America Line; NCL America; Norwegian Cruise Line; Orient Lines;
Princess Cruises; Radisson Seven Seas Cruises; Royal Caribbean
International; Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises; and Windstar
Cruises. These vessels account for approximately 90% of the North
American passenger cruise line industry.