Cruise lines send ships and cash to help Caribbean islands recover from Irma

First they sent rescue ships. Now cruise lines plan to give millions to help Caribbean islands recover from Hurricane Irma.

Royal Caribbean International’s cruise ships made humanitarian aid trips last week to the hard-hit islands of St. Martin and St. Thomas.

Majesty of the Seas on Monday was scheduled to sail to both destinations. As a result, the cruise line pushed back the departure of a Bahamas cruise until Tuesday and shortened it to three days (stopping at Nassau and the line’s private island of Cococay).

“We are sorry for the impact that the storm has had on your vacation, and know you support us in helping those in urgent need,” the company told passengers on its website. It also offered a partial refund and/or credit for a future cruise.