Carnival Cruise Line Raises Record $3.5 Million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Cruise Line Breaks Its Own Record for Donation to St. Jude in 2022
Underscoring the strength of its business and the deep generosity of its guests, Carnival Cruise Line broke its annual fundraising record for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2022.
Carnival raised more than $3.5 million for the organization this past year, surpassing its highest-ever annual amount of $2.8 million in 2018 and bringing its grand total to $26.2 million raised since the partnership began in 2010. Carnival also achieved its highest fourth quarter amount ever, with more than $1 million raised in the last three months of the year.
A testament to the name of Carnival’s newest ship inaugurated in November, guests on that ship celebrated the launch of Carnival Celebration by opening their wallets to support St. Jude, giving 30% of cash collections during its maiden voyage month.
“These results are proof that Carnival Cruise Line has the most giving guests and the most caring crew in the world who join together in our commitment to St. Jude’s lifesaving mission to find cures for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line and member of the St. Jude Professional Advisory Board.
“As the cruise line that serves more children and families than any other, we are proud to have a long-standing partnership with St. Jude as we work to reach our goal of raising $33 million for St. Jude by 2025.”
As the Official Celebration Partner of St. Jude, Carnival hosts events at the hospital and raises money through a variety of fundraising initiatives, both on board and ashore, including the Groove for St. Jude dance party, Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea where kids can create their own St. Jude-themed keepsake bear, and a cookie amenity package with proceeds going to St. Jude. An indication of the vast number of guests who supported St. Jude in 2022 through these opportunities, Carnival sold more than 100,000 St. Jude Groove shirts and more than 27,000 St. Jude bears.
Adding landside activations, last year Carnival took its fundraising work for St. Jude on the road with its Agentpalooza events in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk and Charlotte. At each stop, travel advisors were invited to donate to St. Jude and the effort raised an additional $60,000.
In addition to raising funds, Carnival also highlights the mission of St. Jude through patient-inspired and designed artwork on Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras.