The wrath of one of the most destructive hurricanes in the history of the Bahamas was too heartbreaking to ignore for the workers and guests on the cruise the Celebrity Equinox. Instead of continuing on their regularly scheduled itinerary for a seven-day Caribbean cruise, the huge ship sailed on a new mission: to help storm survivors.
On Friday, the ship’s kitchen staff prepared about 10,000 meals, while the guests volunteered to serve and pack them. The ship was a hive of activity while the crew performed double tasks. Even the children, in charge of writing personalized cards to encourage the victims, collaborated.
Celebrity Equinox, who left Fort Lauderdale in Florida on Saturday morning to cross the Caribbean, was supposed to dock in the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, by the end of his excursion. But the ship was diverted to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island on Friday, which was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian.
“We have a small army of cooks who prepare food and a small army of lifeboats and tugs that take them ashore,” said Rob Zeiger, spokesman for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the parent company of Celebrity Cruises.
Zeiger said the ship has about 3,000 guests, and more than enough food to help prepare thousands of additional meals.
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