Norwegian Cruise Line, Katie Couric & Carnival Corp Honor NY Victims of Hurricane Sandy With Cruises & Donations

Wow, is Katie Couric the “new” Oprah? She certainly is a nice woman—Mel and I met her when she served as Godmother for Carnival Valor some years ago. She graciously posed for photos with us and chatted like we were old friends. And now she has proven she is as giving as the former Queen of Television Talk.

In the Dec 19th “Katie Gives Back: Holiday Extravaganza,” the Katie talk show’s audience included 150 New York-area mothers who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. During the grand prize giveaway, Norwegian Breakaway’s godmothers, the legendary Rockettes®, presented the audience with the cruise giveaway provided by Norwegian Cruise Line, which invited all audience members and their families onboard the exclusive inaugural sailing of the line’s newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, over Mother’s Day weekend, May 10–12, 2013. The weekend will include spectacular dining, entertainment, and fun, as the best of New York sails to sea aboard the brand new ship.

“As a New Yorker, I know firsthand the kind of damage Hurricane Sandy inflicted on this area,” said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are so pleased to offer these deserving families a chance to relax and reconnect during our exclusive inaugural sailing of Norwegian Breakaway, to experience the luxury, incredible amenities and wonderful service that New York’s ship has to offer.”

Not to be overlooked for their generosity, Carnival Corporation—the world’s largest cruise company, with a portfolio of cruise brands comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK)— is donating $2 million to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy that struck the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, and devastated New Jersey and New York. The funds are earmarked for four charities providing an array of relief and rebuilding services and support. The Robin Hood Relief Fund will receive $1 million, Habitat for Humanity International will receive $500,000, and Save the Children and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City—Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts each will receive $250,000.

“Super Storm Sandy was one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history and on behalf of the 90,000 global employees of Carnival Corporation & plc we are pleased to provide this financial support to those who were affected by the storm,” said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. “We also have a special relationship with the region, with several ships either homeported or visiting the area as a port of call, as well as hundreds of thousands of residents who sail on the fleets of our various cruise brands.”

Photo Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line