Carnival Guests Make a Difference for Families at Sydney Children’s Hospital

Guests sailing from Sydney are helping provide free accommodation for families with children receiving hospital care

There’s nothing quite like a cruise for bringing people together. Good food, good company, plenty of entertainment, and, apparently, the occasional conga line with a very worthwhile purpose.

Carnival Cruise Line guests are helping make a real difference to families going through an incredibly difficult time by supporting the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation’s new Patient Family Accommodation Program.

For families travelling from Sydney’s outer suburbs or regional New South Wales, having a child in hospital can bring an extra layer of worry.

Long journeys to and from the hospital, the cost of overnight accommodation and being away from other family members can all add to an already incredibly challenging situation.

The new programme is designed to help ease some of that pressure.

A place to stay close to the hospital

The Patient Family Accommodation Program provides families with free access to apartments at the new Scape Lachlan Building in Kensington, just minutes from Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

And thanks to donations raised through Carnival’s Conga for Kids deck parties, one of those apartments has been dedicated to families who need somewhere to stay close to the hospital.

The one-bedroom apartment gives families more than simply a roof over their heads.

It includes access to workspaces, outdoor areas, a pool, laundry facilities and a 24/7 concierge.

For families focused on being there for their child, having somewhere comfortable and convenient nearby can make a huge difference.

Patient/Family accommodation lounge area

From a conga line to something meaningful

The fundraising takes place during Conga for Kids, a deck party held on every Carnival cruise from Sydney.

It’s a fun onboard event, but the money raised is helping provide something far more important once guests step ashore.

Carnival’s Assistant Vice President Guest Operations, Caroline Bourke, said it was heartwarming to see the difference guests were making.

“We host the Conga for Kids party on every voyage in Australia. I know our guests sailing from Sydney will be delighted to see how their generosity is helping families stay close to their children while they receive the care they need,” said Caroline.

And that really is what makes this initiative rather special.

Guests can enjoy their time onboard, join in the fun and help raise money knowing that their generosity is supporting families when they need it most.

Want to help?

There’s also an easy way for Carnival guests to support the programme without even having to perfect their conga technique.

A $20 Conga for Kids T-shirt can be purchased on Carnival cruises sailing from Sydney and Brisbane.

The proceeds help support the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Queensland Children’s Hospital Foundation.

So, while the conga might begin on the cruise ship, the impact reaches well beyond the decks.

It’s a lovely reminder that sometimes a little bit of holiday fun can go a surprisingly long way towards helping someone else.

And if that doesn’t give you a reason to join the conga, we’re not sure what will!

Until next time, keep dreaming of your next cruise.