Disney Cruise Line Brings Holiday Joy to Port Communities Around the World
This holiday season, Disney Cruise Line brought joy to numerous port communities through a variety of heartwarming initiatives. From surprise visits by Mickey Mouse to children, to crafting festive ornaments, donating books and toys, and preparing meal kits for families in need, Disney Cruise Line’s dedicated cast and crew partnered with local organizations to create unforgettable holiday magic for those who needed it most.
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Mickey Mouse surprises children around the globe
This year, as part of the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive, Mickey Mouse went on a global giving journey – traveling by land and sea. He made his way to Disney locations around the world, visiting schools, hospitals and various nonprofit organization to create happiness for kids and families in need. Among his many stops, Mickey Mouse visited two Disney Cruise Line port communities – Disney’s homeport of Port Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida, and Nassau, in The Bahamas.
While the Disney Wish was docked in Port Canaveral and Nassau, Disney Cruise Line crew members traveled to local schools – Endeavour Elementary School in Cocoa, Florida, and Albury Sayle Primary School in Nassau, The Bahamas – surprising students with Disney toys and a very special visit from Mickey Mouse.
“Disney Cruise Line ships visit Nassau every week, all year long, and for many of our crew members, this community feels like home,” said Bernadette Sweeting-Miller, public affairs manager, Disney Cruise Line. “It means so much to us to bring some Disney magic off the ship and create memorable moments for local students, especially this time of year.”
“It’s been said that ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ This is best seen in the educational arena as the community and organizations, like Disney Cruise Line, come together to improve the lives of our students,” said Naria Holbert, principal, Albury Sayle Primary School, Nassau, The Bahamas. “We are grateful for Disney Cruise Line’s support and the generous contributions they’ve provided our school for more than a decade.”
Creating Holiday Memories with Children in Florida
While the Disney Dream was docked in Port Everglades, Disney Cruise Line cast and crew teamed up with Port Everglades to give Disney toys and books to more than 300 students at the Jack & Jill Center. They also helped the children design and create their own holiday ornaments.
Providing Support throughout The Bahamas
The holiday season can be a challenging time for families with children who rely on meals provided at school.
While the Disney Dream was docked in Nassau, The Bahamas, this month, Disney Cruise Line joined a local non-profit organization to provide meals to families in need. To help ensure students receive the food they need during winter break, Disney Cruise Line cast and crew members worked with Bahamas Feeding Network volunteers to pack meal kits to support families in Nassau, and throughout The Bahamas. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line donated $25,000 to the Bahamas Feeding Network to help contribute to the nutritional needs of the local community year-round.
Island Cast and Crew Members Making a Difference
In addition to the port community of Nassau, Disney Cruise Line calls two island destinations home in The Bahamas – Disney Castaway Cay, located in Abaco, and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in Eleuthera, which opened earlier this year.
To help make a difference in the communities they live and work in, teams from both Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, as well as shipboard crew members, spent their time off visiting local schools and giving out gifts to the children.
Disney Cruise Line is committed to investing in programs that support local youth and creating lasting, positive impacts in the port communities it calls home.
