While the mainstream media went almost wall to wall with coverage of the NFL and national anthem protests yesterday and today, Puerto Rico continues to struggle in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Power is expected to be out for months, communications towers have been wiped out, humanitarian aid is trapped in cargo containers at the coastline, water is hard to come by, gasoline is on short supply. It’s a mess, and the people need immediate and urgent help.
The people need assistance anywhere they can get it from and today they received help from an unlikely but very welcome source: a cruise ship.
Royal Caribbean just did a really cool thing and canceled an upcoming cruise in order to send the ship on a humanitarian relief mission to Puerto Rico.
From The Hill:
The Adventure of the Seas, which can carry 3,114 passengers, will forgo its scheduled Saturday voyage and travel to San Juan, St. Croix and St. Thomas on Friday to pick up evacuees and bring supplies.
A spokesman for Royal Caribbean told the Miami Herald that the cruise line expects to pick up more than 3,000 people, taking them back to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The cruise line sent ships to St. Thomas and St. Martin to rescue a total of 1,700 people after Hurricane Irma struck the area.
Cruises are pretty much the 180 degree opposite of what’s happening in Puerto Rico right now – the lap of relaxation and luxury vs. utter chaos and confusion and uncertainty. This is a very welcome and kind action taken by a company that certainly didn’t have to do it.
President Trump had spoken about how difficult it has been to try and get supplies to the battered island, and announced he was easing shipping restrictions to help do so.
Continued prayers for the people in Puerto Rico, if you’re looking to help you can do so here.
(h/t)