Reply #8: No, the cruise lines should continue to PAY the people

[lapfog_1]

that they hire to "man the beaches" for their guests. However, out of respect for the dead, it is unseemly for the guests and the cruise ships to continue to party down. They shouldn't stop other than to land supplies for the local residents who likely can't get anything through normal channels right now. Relief aid to help Port-au-Prince is probably not useful (with the possible exception of medicine).

If I were running the cruise line I would:

a) Continue the employment of everyone on Haiti

b) pay them with cash instead of checks, as banking is likely down for a while.

c) have my ships drop anchor overnight, but no guests to the beaches.

d) send whatever medicine, food, water, cash, onto the beach for the local employees and whoever else can be helped.

e) Ask for donations from my passengers as well

f) coordinate with one or more of the NGO's currently attempting to get things done in Port-au-Prince.