Norwegian Cruise Line will donate a total of $10 million to six communities most damaged economically by the loss of cruise ship travelers last year and again this summer.
The company announced it will send the money to Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Hoonah and Seward, Howard Sherman, executive vice president, said on Juneau radio station KINY on Tuesday.
The cruise line often donates to its partner communities during times of crisis, Sherman said in a morning radio interview. Norwegian Cruise Line has given money and supplies to communities affected by hurricanes, volcanoes and other disasters, he said.
“Our partners here in Southeast Alaska … we don't know of anywhere really in the world that's been more affected economically by the pandemic. Especially cities like Skagway and Hoonah, which are almost completely dependent upon cruise revenue as a source of income,” Sherman said.
The company will donate $2 million each to Skagway, Hoonah, Juneau and Ketchikan, and $1 million each to Sitka and Seward.
Wrangell has not been on the cruise line’s itineraries to Southeast. Norwegian’s Alaska ships can accommodate up to 4,000 passengers.
"We are giving that money to the elected representatives of those cities to disperse through their existing pandemic relief programs that they have set up," Sherman said. There will be "no strings attached" to the donations.
Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon told KINY, "The Southeast region has been economically devastated, probably more than any other region in the U.S. We understand that Norwegian Cruise Line has done similar gestures in the past when natural disasters have occurred. This is just a public health disaster instead of a natural disaster, so we appreciate the help."
The Juneau assembly will decide what to do with the donation, as will elected officials in the other communities.
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