Gay Cruises Join Forces for Haiti Relief

The owners of Atlantis Events, Olivia Cruises and RSVP Vacations have joined together to raise funds for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, the three companies announced Friday in a joint statement.

Each of the three cruise lines has pledged to donate $7,500, with Olivia offering a limited number of free cruises to passengers who donate $7,500 or more. The cruise lines are urging that passenger donations be made through the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross will bundle these funds and record them as contributions from LGBT Americans to the people of Haiti.

"So many of our passengers have been touched by the destruction and poverty in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country," Judy Dlugacz, president of Olivia, said in a statement. "It is important that as LGBT Americans, we come together to show our community's solidarity and support for those living through this unimaginable disaster."

An Atlantis cruise on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas departs from Miami this weekend with a scheduled stop in Labadee, an area on the north coast of Haiti not directly damaged by the quake. Royal Caribbean will deliver additional supplies to areas in need during the port call.

Atlantis CEO Rich Campbell said he would be spearheading efforts to raise additional money for Haiti during the cruise.

"The idea was to bring the whole community together to show support for Haiti," Atlantis spokesman Steve Roth told The Advocate.

Click here to donate to the American Red Cross through the LGBT collection site.