An annual fun day on a big cruise ship, it is it is one of the few sure things in the lives of children living at the Dorothy Menzies Child Care center. And today it was that time of the year again when, 50 kids from the center spent part of their day on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines' "Enchantment of the Seas." They were fed, entertained, and adorned with gifts. 7NEWS tagged along for the ride and Keith has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
As they journeyed on the 20-minute boat ride to the big ship, their faces bore expressions of anticipation and great expectations and still on some there was the look of guarded apprehension. And while some slept, others were wide-awake.
Minutes later the shyness and apprehension made way for excitement as they met Royal Caribbean's 'Enchantment of the Seas.' The children, most of them orphans from the Dorothy Menzies Child Care center were ushered off the tender and into the arms of captain Per Kjonso.
Per Kjonso,
"Over the years, since I've become a captain, I've always liked to do something for the kids and so since I am the captain, I'm pushing this through."
Once onboard, the kids were taken to the Wind Jammer Café where burgers, pizzas, and fries was what's for lunch. Pramod Easow manages the Wind Jammer.
Framod Easow, Wind Jammer Manager
"My role is the make sure that all the kids are treated just like our guests and we want to make sure that we provide the best service for them and to make them feel like they're on vacation. It is the best service we can give to these kids because I don't think they can get this everyday so once in a while we can do this for them and I am sure they will be very happy."
But that was only the appetizer as after stuffing their faces with pizza, burger, fries, ice cream, and more pizza they headed to the Orpheum Theatre for the show.
[Clips of Performance by Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers]
And as good as the performance was, there was only one man who could top that performance.
[Santa rising from the middle of the stage]
This January Santa arrived late but he made up for it. 6-year-old Barry, for one, had no complaints.
[Barry opening his gifts and showing his socks, football, and pants that he got.]
Hortence Reynolds who runs the Child Care Center says visits like these are about more than just free food and gifts.
Hortence Reynolds, Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center
"For them to come aboard a cruise ship and to have fun, I think is the most exciting thing for them. I think it teaches them a lot even though the ship did not move off with us but it feels as though we went on a cruise."
Per Kjonso, Ship Captain
"They're eyes are sparkling and its something...the kids have never been aboard a cruise ship before, they have no clue. When they come here they see the huge cruise ship and I think its excitement for them."
Stanley Longsworth Jr., Caribbean Shipping (Local agent for RCL)
"A lot of these children are underprivileged children and they probably will never have the opportunity to experience something like this so I am sure it will be very well appreciated by them all. And also in light of all the criticisms that have been targeted towards cruise tourism lately, it's a good sign to see these cruise lines caring about locals and wanting to do something for them."
And so as we departed the 'Enchantment of the Seas,' the kids got gifts, the cruise industry got some badly needed positive PR, I got a feel good story, and we all took back a good time. Not bad for landlubbers on a rare morning offshore.
We note that the children from the Child Care Center featured in our story are up for adoption and for more information you can contact the Human Development Department. The ship's crew paid out of their pockets for the gifts and they estimate it cost around US$8,000. An interesting aside is that in May the 'Enchantment of the Sea' as you saw it, will be no more as the ship will be broken down and then rebuilt. Repairs should take 2 months and the rebuilt "Enchantment of the Sea" will be 73 feet longer.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift
