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Clia supports million dollar campaign to help Caribbean after Hurricane Irma and Maria

Clia is supporting a million dollar campaign to highlight that the majority of the Caribbean is open for business following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The campaign has been launched in connection with Plan a Cruise Month and will feature celebrity and travel industry support.

Cindy D’Aoust, Clia’s president and CEO, said: “Fortunately the vast majority of ports in the Caribbean are welcoming guests, having sustained minimal or no direct damage from the storms.

“The Caribbean islands and destinations throughout the Americas rely on tourism and the cruise industry is dedicated to continuing to bring holidaymakers to these beautiful areas.”

The campaign – backed by destination leaders and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association – is called “The Caribbean is open for business and ready to welcome you with our warm and friendly smiles”.

Clia cruise line members along with industry associations have provided $30million (£22m) in financial resources, temporary housing, transporting families and pets.

In the wake of Hurricane Maria, Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Adventure of the Seas, was used for evacuation and humanitarian efforts.

The 3,114-passenger vessel operated humanitarian calls in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St Thomas and St Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is donating £300 per new suite bookings made by the end of October to the relief effort.

The initiative is part of parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ efforts to raise at least $2.5m (£1.8m) for hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean.

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