Paradise Cruise Ship Turns Into Evacuation Boat, Saves Bahamians From Hurricane Dorian Wreckage

The Bahamas islands wrecked by the hurricane Dorian's devastation had a helping hand from a Florida cruise ship that offered a free sailing carrying relief materials and passage to stranded people.

According to cruise news, the Grand Celebration ship belonging to Bahamas Paradise Cruise Lines set sail to the Bahamas on Thursday night carrying relief materials to the Bahamians torn by hurricane Dorian.

The ship also has people stranded by Hurricane Dorian.

Bahamians who wanted to go to the United States after the Hurricane Dorian will get a free ride back home on a cruise ship if they have the right documentation.

“Apart from the Bahamas we have no other home, so it was like the destruction was in our backyard,” CEO Oneil Khosa told CNN.

The humanitarian journey started from the Port of Palm Beach at 8 p.m. The ship carried food, water, supplies, first responders, volunteers and Bahamians stranded in Florida.

Grand Celebration will return to Palm Beach on Friday. On the return trip, Bahamians who want to move to the U.S. may board the ship if they have proper documentation.

The trip will be free of charge for Bahamians, volunteers and relief workers. But personnel must travel with a valid passport or original birth certificate.

As a result, the ship’s previously scheduled regular sailing on the vessel has been canceled. After the Hurricane Irma, FEMA chartered Grand Celebration to house and feed 1,500 relief workers in St. Thomas.

Residents’ contributions collected

The cruise ship also solicited contributions from South Florida residents who donated many items for the relief effort.

The collections at Cruise Line’s Riviera Beach warehouse at 301 Broadway Ave., Bay 7, in Riviera Beach included canned goods, building supplies such as tar paper, roofing materials, plywood and sheetrock, water, blankets, hygiene products, chlorine tablets, first aid kits, mosquito repellent, pampers, baby wipes and baby food.

However, offers on fuel, used clothing, old mattresses, and other used items were not accepted.

Meanwhile, other cruise lines such as the Royal Caribbean offered more than 43,000 water bottles and 10,000 meals to the Bahamas in coordination with the local government and The Bahamas Feeding Network.

The Norwegian Cruise will donate $1 million to the relief efforts, according to updates.

Disney Cruises also announced more than $1 million toward relief efforts on the hurricane season induced damages at the Bahamas.

“We hope our $1 million donations will provide much-needed relief and help our neighbors, colleagues, and all those impacted by this devastating storm,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger.

Dorian hurricane killed at least 23 people in the Bahamas when it lashed with ferocity on the islands during the weekend. Now the Category 2 hurricane is heading toward the Carolinas.