Princess Cruise Line and BTB Hold Children’s Christmas Party

Today, the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association, along with Princess Cruise Line, joined forces with the Belize Tourism Board to throw a festive Christmas party for the kids from Liberty Children’s Home and Central Assembly of God Primary School. Held at the House of Culture, the celebration featured dinner, drinks, music, and entertainment by Ozzie the Clown. Santa even made an appearance to hand out gifts! News Five’s Marion Ali has the full scoop on this heartwarming event.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

It’s that magical time of year when Christmas cheer is in the air! Today, Princess Cruise Line and the B.T.B. hosted a delightful Christmas party for the kids from Liberty Children’s Home and Central Assembly of God Primary School. The event was packed with fun and excitement for the children from Liberty Children’s Home. Agatha Valentine, the organization’s Director, shared that the kids were buzzing with excitement from the moment they heard about the party.

 

Agatha Valentine, Director, Liberty Children’s Home

“They’re always excited about gifts. This is the best time of the year for them. The children have been looking forward to Christmas. We go very extensive during this time for them as well, but the fact that they get to leave the facility, Liberty is located in Ladyville, for the most part, our residents, um, their activities are limited to that area, and it has to be that way because of finances. The moment you go beyond the Ladyville area, you’re incurring costs. And so, um, they’re overjoyed to come to the city to be at the house of culture.”

 

The event has been a tradition for cruise lines for over twenty years. This was the first Christmas party since the COVID pandemic, and it was extra special. According to Lloyd Enriquez, the B.T.B’s Director of Cruise, Santa himself arrived as a tourist from the ship to hand out the gifts!

 

Lloyd Enriquez, Director of Cruise, B.T.B.

“Sun princess is in port. There are about 17 crew, including Santa that came off the ship today to spread the Christmas cheer and the holiday cheer with these children. How many kids are getting gifts today? Approximately seven, 60, uh, children. There are some who could not make it, uh, for various reasons. So, 60 actually showed up today.”

 

Altogether, over sixty children ranging in ages from four to thirteen from both institutions were present for the occasion. Marion Ali for News Five.