Cruise Lines International to support Mercy Ships charity

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 6 years ago

Cruise Lines International to support Mercy Ships charity

By Sally Macmillan
Mercy Ships ward nurse Theresa Bode takes a patient for a walk on deck.

Mercy Ships ward nurse Theresa Bode takes a patient for a walk on deck.Credit: Miguel Ottaviano

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) recently announced it is supporting Mercy Ships as its Charity of Choice, a move designed to raise the profile of the charity among cruisers and the cruise industry all over the world.

Mercy Ships was set up in 1978 by Don and Deyon​ Stephens. It uses hospital ships to deliver free health care to the developing world; over the past 39 years the charity has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than US$1 billion to more than 2.5 million people who lack access to the same kind of medical care available to those of us who live in the West.

"As the world's largest cruise industry association, CLIA will bring great value to our organisation," said Donovan Palmer, group managing director for Mercy Ships. "Their knowledge of the industry and willingness to help get our message out to its members will be immeasurable."

Don Stephens was inspired to set up Mercy Ships after witnessing the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Cleo in the Bahamas in 1964. After 14 years of research and campaigning, he and fellow fundraisers paid US$1 million for the Victoria, a former cruise ship, and converted it to a hospital ship. In 1982, refitted with three operating theatres and a 40-bed ward, the ship sailed as Anastasis – the first Mercy Ship.

Since then, four ships, including the current vessel, Africa Mercy, have operated in developing countries; Mercy Ships will be based in the Republic of Cameroon until June 2018.

Each year, more than 1200 volunteers from some 40 nations serve with Mercy Ships. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the cause.

Their work is impressive; a few of their achievements include 78,000 life-changing operations such as cleft lip and palate repair, cataract removal, orthopaedic procedures, facial reconstruction and obstetric fistula repair; 353,000 dental procedures; training of 35,300 local professionals in their area of expertise (anaesthesiology, midwifery, sterilisation, orthopaedic and reconstructive surgery, leadership); and 1100 community development projects focusing on water, sanitation and agriculture.

Mercy Ships needs donations and volunteers to continue its life-saving work ­– $25 provides one day of patient care, $100 kits out a local clinic and $500 pays for an operation to remove a tumour. If you are interested in volunteering to work on the ship, in medical, maritime or administrative roles, call 1300 739 899 or visit mercyships.org.au.

SHORE THING

Advertisement

THE PORT Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

WHO GOES THERE Azamara, Celebrity, HAL, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, P&O, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea.

WHY WE LOVE IT New Zealand's oldest city has strong architectural and historic links to Scotland – it's easy to get around and its setting on the Otago Peninsula allows easy access to stunning wildlife and coastal tours.

TAKE A TOUR OR GO IT ALONE? Port Chalmers is about 13 kilometres from the town centre; there are public buses, shuttles and taxis if you're planning to explore the town's heritage buildings on foot, which is very doable. Recommended tours, whether ship-organised or independent, include Speights Brewery, the Cadbury Factory and an Otago Peninsula wildlife experience. Speights has been operating since 1876 and the 90-minute tour covers the history of beer as well as the brewing process – sampling included, of course. Cadbury's tours are popular with families, as are 8-wheel ATV wildlife tours such as those run by independent operators and the land-owners at Natures Wonders on Taiaroa Head. You're likely to see New Zealand fur seals, a cormorant breeding colony, blue penguins and the rare yellow-eyed penguin on an exciting coastal ride. Watching sheep-shearing at the Natures Wonders property is another option for city-dwellers.

MUST SEE Larnarch Castle and gardens; the Taieri Gorge on a train ride from Dunedin's historic railway station; Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

MUST EAT Seafood, lamb and venison are popular local products you can sample in a variety of restaurants; try Scotia (199 Stuart Street) for traditional Scottish fare such as haggis and a choice of 250 whiskies.

NEED TO KNOW It might be summer when cruise ships visit Dunedin but the weather can be changeable, even over one day. Pack a hat, sunscreen, lightweight waterproof jacket and gloves.

ESSENTIALS http://www.newzealand.com/au/.

CRUISE SCEPTIC MYTH: All cruises are all-inclusive

REALITY: What's included in the fare varies widely – cheap fares usually mean you pay more once you're onboard for drinks, tours and more.

NEWS

Essential reading

The 2018 edition of the Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships, described by many readers and critics as the "cruise bible" is now available online and in select bookshops. It's the 33rd in the series and this year comes with a free app and ebook along with detailed reviews of 300 ships and a wealth of information about cruising for beginners and seasoned travellers alike. Author Douglas Ward has spent more than 600 days at sea on more than 1000 cruises, 158 transatlantic crossings, and countless Panama Canal transits, shipyard visits, ship-naming ceremonies and maiden voyages. He spends 200 sea days each year inspecting everything from the interior decor to storage space in cabins and the quality of dining, entertainment, service and spa facilities. See insightguides.com/berlitz/berlitz-cruising.

Biggest cruise ship ever

Royal Caribbean's latest, greatest megaship, Symphony of the Seas, will take the title of world's biggest cruise ship when it launches next March. The 362-metre long, 18-deck high ship will boast several new features alongside attractions that the line's Oasis and Quantum class ships are famous for – such as bionic bartenders and the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea. New additions include the huge, two-level Ultimate Family Suite (pictured) that has a slide from the kids' bedroom to the living room, a 3D cinema-style TV room and a wraparound balcony that has its own whirlpool, pool table and climbing apparatus. Symphony will also have the world's largest outdoor laser tag arena, two new restaurants and new ice-skating, AquaTheater and productions of Hairspray and Flight in the Royal Theatre.

Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter

Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading