Carnival’s “On Deck for the Cure” program – a breast cancer fundraising initiative aboard the “Fun Ships” – recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, with 50,000 walkers raising nearly $400,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure since being launched last May.
Currently in place on 14 Carnival ships, “On Deck for the Cure” is modeled after a similar initiative by Holland America Line and encourages guests to make a minimum $10 donation and participate in a one-mile walk around the ships’ jogging tracks while wearing their custom-designed T-shirts and wristbands included with each donation. Additionally, pink lemonade – signifying the color associated with breast cancer awareness – is served after the walk to all participants.
Carnival’s “On Deck for the Cure” initiative began as a pilot program on two ships in May 2007 and was expanded to all vessels operating voyages of seven days or longer, as well as four- and five-day cruises aboard the Carnival Elation from San Diego. The program will be also featured aboard the new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor when it arrives in the U.S. in November following its inaugural European season this summer.