Team members helped out with a charitable project at a pediatric ward 

Crew members from Carnival Horizon joined in a Labour Day Volunteer Project in St. Ann yesterday, assisting with clean-up and renovations at the Pediatric Ward Learning Centre of St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, as well as brightening the day for young patients with storytime.

These efforts are just part of Carnival Cruise Line’s commitment to Jamaica, a top port of call the cruise line has been visiting for more than 50 years. A group of 20 team members from Carnival Horizon spent the day working not onboard the Vista-class cruise ship but instead cleaning, painting, and repairing the Learning Centre in the pediatric ward of St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital. 

At the time, Carnival Horizon was docked in Ocho Rios, 14 miles (23 kilometres) from the hospital. Speaking with Cruise Hive, President of Carnival Cruise Line Christine Duffy commented, “We are proud to have been bringing visitors to Jamaica for more than 50 years, and care deeply about the health and well-being of the community. It was our pleasure to make enhancements to St. Ann’s Learning Centre and we hope it will make a lasting difference for all the children treated there.”

Among the projects were repainting walls in bright, positive colours as well as working in the garden to install new plants. CEO of St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, Dennis Morgan expressed the hospital’s gratitude by saying, “We are so grateful for Carnival’s participation in our Labour Day Volunteer Project. Carnival’s improvements will ensure that we can continue to provide critical educational and psychological support for our young patients while they recover at a newly-renovated Learning Centre.”

The volunteer crew members provided willing hands for the project, which Carnival Cruise Line arranged in partnership with American Friends of Jamaica, the cruise line’s foundation partner for charitable initiatives in the Caribbean nation.

Nature adventure tour operator Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which offers a range of thrilling tours around the island, such as catamarans, zip lines, reggae rafting and more, also assisted with the hospital renovation by donating supplies and providing on-the-ground project support.

“When businesses unite to help communities, it is a win-win for everyone,” said Wendy Hart, President of American Friends of Jamaica adding, “We thank Carnival and Chukka for their participation in this Labour Day Volunteer Project, investing their time and resources to help improve the lives of Jamaicans.”

At the time of the volunteer event, Carnival Horizon was sailing a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Miami. Ocho Rios was the ship’s first port of call, to be followed by Grand Cayman and Cozumel before returning to Miami on Saturday, May 27.

Carnival Cruise Line visits Jamaica year-round, and in 2023, is expected to bring more than 300,000 guests to the island with about 100 port-of-call visits.

Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Horizon are currently offering visits to Ocho Rios, while Carnival Vista, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Paradise are regularly visiting Montego Bay.