Cruise Line Offers Free Rides to Bahamians Stranded in the U.S. During Hurricane Dorian

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is offering free rides to Bahamians stranded in Florida after Hurricane Dorian.

On Thursday, the Florida-based cruise line’s ship Grand Celebration left Palm Beach for Grand Bahama Island with supplies, first responders, and Bahamian evacuees on board.

Those stuck in the Bahamas can also ride the ship to Florida for free if they are able to provide proof of residency.

"Apart from the Bahamas we have no other home, so it was like the destruction was in our backyard," CEO Oneil Khosa told CNN. "We felt like we had to do this for the people of the Bahamas and the island of Grand Bahama, especially given our history with the island."

Grand Celebration will be the first ship allowed to dock back at Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. First responders include firemen and electricians who will help out with relief efforts. The ship was involved in a similar humanitarian relief journey for Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is also accepting donations of relief materials like canned goods, buildings supplies, and water at its warehouse in Riviera Beach, Florida.

Other cruise lines that operate in the area, like Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, are also bringing relief materials to the Bahamas. “We are loading all kinds of goods onto our ships — generators, water, cleaning supplies, clean sheets, towels, and more — for direct delivery to the Bahamas,” Royal Caribbean said in a press release. “The trained employee volunteers we call the GO Team are on their way to assist with relief efforts.”

You can help out the cause by donating to one of several charities participating in relief efforts. If you donate through a cruise line, your donation may be matched by the corporation.