From how donations are made to where they go and how cruise lines can get involved — we’ve answered the most common questions right here. If you need more info, just reach out.
We’re a 16-year-old U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects cruise ships with proven & trusted Caribbean charities. In fact, we’ve personally visited them!
Cruise lines set aside their new or slightly used items to be DONATED in the future during a scheduled port of call. We at Hope Floats coordinate with these fully vetted NGO’s (Non Profit’s) so they’ll be ready to receive and distribute these much needed items. We’ve done this 17 times on 9 different islands in the past 6 months.
This is that MAGIC moment when the ship arrives and local charities are ready with smiles, staff, and trucks to collect donations. It’s like Christmas morning—complete with ship & charity video/photographers capturing this win-win for social media!
Depending on the need, items may go directly to needy individuals or are sold in their thrift stores to fund programs. From sun loungers and glassware to pallets of toilet paper or woolen blankets and tables—every DD is different, but the impact is impressive.
It’s smooth sailing from start to finish:
Indeed we do, on EVERY Donation Drop! From beach rentals to thrift shop
sales, to homes and shelters in need. Every item gets a second life, reducing
waste and supporting circular giving. Local NGOs like the Aruba Food Bank even
surprised us with a video showing how the items are used. Check it out!
Donation Drops reduce landfill waste, free up ship storage, and give items a second life helping those in need all OVER the Caribbean.
It's circular giving at sea level….Easy-Peasy!
With 37 cruise lines and 154+ ships sailing there year round, it’s easily the world's #1 cruise destination—yet mere blocks away from souvenir shops are locals trying to feed themselves.
DD’s reduce waste and carbon footprint while supporting under-resourced local nonprofits to reach those in need. Cruise lines who donate leave an incredible legacy in their wake EVERY time.
Hotel, Sustainability, and Food & Beverage Officers decide what can be donated ahead of time. We’ve found many giving-minded ship Captains frequently lead the way for DD’s.. A ‘‘Landing Manifest’ is emailed to the receiving charities detailing the items to be donated with assigned values at least 2 weeks before they arrive in port.. Items must be clean, safe, and ready to go. Tours of recipient charities can be arranged for crew while in port, which has proven eye-opening and heartwarming.
Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Just pure giving.
Since 2009, Hope Floats has facilitated hands-on ½ day volunteer service projects for hundreds of cruise ship passengers (vs. the usual shore excursions) across 16 Caribbean islands. We had 329% growth in 2019 and then…..(drum roll here 🙂)
Covid shut down the entire cruise industry early in 2020.
Yet a serendipitous meeting with the Sustainability Manager for AIDA Cruise lines helped us pivot in late 2022 as they needed trusted Caribbean Charity Contacts on islands so they could donate supplies that otherwise would have been ‘destroyed’ by grinding them up (yes, even king size beds, theatre seating, and literally tons of other ‘usable’ goods.) Voila’! A match made in heaven!
We ‘tested the waters’ (the puns just keep on rolling!), worked out the kinks.
The results? An Incredible win-win!
Absolutely. The charities work closely with local port authorities and customs to ensure everything is above board (pun intended!).
Oui, Oui and Merci! (We are international right?!)
We’re a registered 501(c)(3), so all eligible donations are tax-deductible. Click here to donate, & make our MONTH!
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