Disney Cruise Line’s VoluntEars

Disney Cruise Line’s VoluntEars

We all love DCL and the amazing service they give us. Did you know DCL and their Crew Member Volunteers give back to the ports they call upon? Well, they do! DCL does not talk about it much, but I want to share some of what they have done and are doing.

 

No matter what port, US or foreign countries DCL finds ways to give back. Here is a short list of what I know they have done.

1.       Lets start with the first big win for DCL, Castaway Cay. Castaway Cay was owned by a Bahaman businessman. It let locals raise animals and grow food there. Until one day he went to visit the island and tried to land his small plane on the airstrip he had built there. He was met by drug traffickers! They had taken over the island. He few off and sold the island to a company he did not know. It turned out to be DCL.

a.       DCL contacted the DEA in the mid 1990’s and let them know about the drugs on the island and the fact those drugs were coming into Florida. The Mouse roared and the traffickers were kicked off.

b.       Disney hires locals from nearby islands to come work there when guests are on the island. They run many of the tours/Port Adventures offered there.

c.       Disney has several shops where local Bahaman artisans can sell their wares.

d.       Locals are hired to assist in the maintenance of the island.

e.       The majority of the island is kept in a protected wild state to preserve the eco system.

2.       Sent VoluntEars to Children’s hospital wards to pain murals to make hospital visits a little less traumatic to the children. This is done both US and in many countries. This includes US, Bahamian, Caribbean, Vergin Island and Mexican Ports

3.       They have help with funding upgrading medical equipment for children’s care.

4.       DCL will bring educational material and supplies to local schools.

5.       DCL will send entertainment Cast Members to schools to teach the children how to put on a Disney themed play. From set, costume design and making, acting/singing and

6.       DCL has offered tours of the ships and interaction with crew members so young people can see the different types of positions from Bridge down to Maintenance. They also have offered some scholarships for colleges that teach what is needed to be bridge positions.

7.       It times of disaster they will bring much needed supplies, including food and medicine.

8.       After disasters they will give financial assistance to the local area affected by the disaster.

9.       When DCL makes an agreement with a port they don’t just look at port and say, “We want to come there let us dock.” They look at what is needed to improve the sounding area to the port to help the locals and improve the guest experience there.

a.        The current example is Avalon, Catalina Island, Ca. Disney signed an agreement that gives their ships preferred portage 1 or 2 days per week, depending on the season. Disney realized that Avalon is a wonderful port for guests. DCL could see sustaining the additional number of visitors they would bring, long term was not the best for either the Cruise Line, Guests or Avalon. DCL has committed to helping improve the city’s infrastructure, including but not limited to water, power and roads. They will work with the environmental groups of the island to help protect the wildlife and lands. Local shops, restaurants and artisans will see an increase in business. This is a win for everyone in my opinion.

b.       On the Island of Eleuthera, Disney worked with locals to build Lookout Cay and even had locals help design shows and create menus for food served on Lookout Cay. DCL employes locals as some of the entertainers for shows performed there. The jobs spread past the Lookout Cay area to locally owned Tour Companies that give tours to DCL guests! A very financially and physically depressed area has and is being really helped. Like Catalina, local shops, restaurants and artisans will see an increase in business. Another win for all involved.

 

Disney Cruise Line does not make many announcements about the VoluntEar projects. Many I know of some from outside sources, that are naming groups of people, organizations, and businesses who are helping during a disaster. Some I know about some things because of hearing locals speak of it. Either way it gives me another reason to sail Disney Cruise Line! I want to support a company that is this forward thinking.