The US government has chartered a Carnival Corp cruiseship to house relief workers in the hurricane-battered Caribbean.
A four-month deal has been finalised with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the 71,000-gt Carnival Fascination (built 1994), it said.
The ship will be docked in St Croix in the US Virgin Islands and will also provide meals for aid workers.
The charter runs from 15 October to 3 February.
As a result, Carnival has cancelled cruises during that period. Customers will receive a refund.
"Carnival Cruise Line's history is deeply linked to the Caribbean and our ships have been sailing within the region for more than 45 years," the shipowner said.
"We are pleased to be partnering with FEMA on this charter in support of the ongoing relief efforts in the Caribbean."
Carnival Fascination will return to normal service sailing year-round from San Juan to the southern Caribbean on 18 February, following a drydock in the Grand Bahama shipyard to upgrade restaurant facilities.
