Photo by Andy Newman/Princess Cruises
Yesterday in the U.S. was Veterans Day. In Canada, Remembrance Day. In both free countries, a time to reflect, a time to be grateful, and perhaps a time to contribute to one of the worthy causes that supports those who gave so much.
Now that it's over for another year, the opportunity to do all of those things next year has arrived. At least, it has for Princess Cruises.
How good does a cruise that raises $1 million for veterans sound?
Next November 5, the Caribbean Princess will sail west in the Gulf of Mexico from Galveston, which appropriately is in "the heart" of the southern ports. On board for the following four days will be veterans and active military personnel. They will participate in lectures, panel discussions, films, get-togethers and a Stars and Stripes Sailaway from the Texas port. So will the passengers, of course, and a portion of their cruise fare will go into the charity pot…between $100 and $300 per person, depending on the fare. That "donation" will be matched by Princess.
If the ship's full, passenger fares will raise $500,000. Double that and you have $1 million for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Operation Homefront.
It's the kick-off to an admiral campaign by Princess — Cruising for a Cause — the first in a series of entire sailings earmarked to support charitable causes. In part, it starts with the vets because Alan Buckelew, the company president and CEO, is a Vietnam veteran and, yes, he'll be one of the vets on board next November.
How many and how often logically Princess "cruises for a cause" depends on the success of the first one. From a passenger's viewpoint, there will probably be something Utopian about going on a cruise ship, having fun, and helping somebody deserving of help at the same time…just by being on the ship.
Emerald Princess
10 nights
December 17, 2012
Fort Lauderdale (return): Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica, St. Thomas, Princess Cays
Inside: $999
Cost per day: $99
www.princesscruises.com