MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line is pitching in to Hurricane Ida relief efforts by providing first responders with housing aboard the Carnival Glory.

After reaching an agreement with the city of New Orleans and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Carnival will make Carnival Glory available for housing through Sept. 18. As such, Glory’s cruise that was scheduled to depart on Sept. 12 will be cancelled; guest operations onboard the ship will restart on Sept. 19 from New Orleans. Carnival has already cancelled the Sept. 5 departure for Carnival Glory.

“While we want to provide the city of New Orleans with an economic boost by restarting guest operations, we want to first provide this critical housing support to address emergency needs and to get power restored to the region,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We appreciate the understanding of our guests who we know love New Orleans as much as we do.” 

Carnival Glory arrived at the Port of New Orleans on Friday, Sept. 3 and underwent a required U.S. Coast Guard inspection. The ship began provisioning food, water and materials for up to 2,600 hospital workers, first responders, city and utility workers and other emergency personnel in preparation for them to join the ship. Glory will stay in port and serve as emergency housing for frontline workers directly involved in the city’s infrastructure recovery and healthcare needs.

Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana last week as a category 4 hurricane. It’s now considered one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland.