Carnival Cruise Line has donated more than 1,000 towels to local children learning to swim in Vanuatu, marking the latest step in ongoing efforts to support water safety in the island nation, which has the world’s fourth-highest drowning rate.
Carnival Adventure crew members, including hotel director Bas van Es, food & beverage director Larisa Rose, and environmental officer Rado Lyubenov, were delighted to deliver the brand-new beach towels during their visit to Port Vila on Sunday 29 March.
Busi Neill from the Paradise Swim and Arts Academy was on hand to accept the towels, which will be handed out during her swimming lessons throughout the year.
Carnival Cruise Line has provided funding for swimming lessons for hundreds of children from schools around Port Vila in 2025 and 2026 through the guest-funded Pacific Partnerships program.
Busi has a goal of teaching 600 children to swim this year, with classes now underway. These programs are vital for communities in Vanuatu – a nation of 83 islands where life is closely tied to the ocean, yet most children have not learned to swim.
“Carnival guests love visiting Vanuatu, and this towel donation is one way we can give back to the community who warmly welcomes our ships throughout the year,” Carnival Cruise Line vice president external affairs Sandy Olsen.
