Grinch Boards Carnival Splendor for Family Fun Day in Sydney

On Monday morning, Carnival Cruise Line hosted a special Grinchmas Family Fun Day for families from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) aboard the Carnival Splendor in Sydney Harbour, according to a company statement.

In celebration of the second year of Carnival’s Grinchmas in July sailings, and its partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and SCHF, Carnival invited 50 patients and their families to join The Grinch and his sidekick Max for a day at sea.

The event featured a giant Christmas tree lighting ceremony, sing-along caroling, ‘Grinchmas family games’ and crafts, a reading of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, appearances and photo opportunities with Dr. Seuss characters, and themed meals and beverages.

Kate Ferguson, chief marketing officer of SCHF, remarked, “For some kids, childhood is far from what it should be. Instead of playdates, there are appointments. Instead of sleepovers, there are stays. Instead of firsts, there can be lasts. No child should have to go through this, but those who do deserve our all.”

“Thanks to the generosity of Carnival Cruise Line, we can continue making a positive difference in the lives of the 159,000 children who come through the doors of our state’s children’s hospitals each year at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.”

Carnival Cruise Line AU VP Kara Glamore added, “As a partner of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation for many years, the Carnival team loves being able to give back to patients and their families. Bringing them onboard for events like today’s Grinchmas Family Fun Day is always such a special experience. Holiday memories are the best kind and Christmas is a whole different experience in the winter, so it’s amazing to be able to help create these fun and festive moments, especially for these deserving families.”

Thirteen-year-old Matilda Jenkins, a patient of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network since she was 24 hours old, was also present. Matilda was named the official Goddaughter of Carnival Splendor in 2018 when she was six years old.

Carnival Splendor Cruise Director Simon London presented a check for $62,758 to Matilda and SCHF Chief Marketing Officer Kate Ferguson. This amount was raised aboard the Carnival Splendor over the past year for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.