Donations of $250,000 have been made by Carnival Cruise Line and parent company Carnival Corporation to charitable organisations supporting flood relief efforts in the US state of Louisiana.
Recipients include the American Red Cross, Louisiana Association of United Ways and Save the Children.
The American Red Cross is sheltering thousands of residents displaced by the flooding in southern Louisiana and delivering food, relief supplies and emotional support to flood victims.
The cruise line, which has been operating out of New Orleans since 1994, is donating $125,000 and Carnival Corporation is matching the amount through its Carnival Foundation charitable arm.
The donations came as president Obama visited the worst affected areas of Baton Rouge meet flood survivors.
The flooding, declared a major disaster on August 14, has killed at least 13 people and left more than 2,800 in shelters.
Carnival Cruise Line president, Christine Duffy, said: “Having homeported Carnival ships in Louisiana for more than two decades, we very much consider ourselves a part of the community and, therefore, it is extremely important to us to provide aid to support the tens of thousands of Louisiana residents who have been affected by these devastating floods.”
Passengers sailing on Carnival cruises from New Orleans will have the option to make donations when they check in and employees are being encouraged to donate as well.