The Goan crew members aboard the cruise liner Carnival Freedom.
PANAJI
In keeping with the rich religious traditions of Goa, Goan crew members aboard the cruise liner ‘Carnival Freedom’, sailing from Port Canaveral with Carnival Cruise Line, came together to celebrate the Feast of St Anthony, known as the ‘Finder of Lost Things’.
Despite being far from home, the crew kept their faith and traditions alive by reciting the Litany, Rosary and prayers in honour of St Anthony.
The celebration reflected their devotion, unity and strong Goan spirit, bringing crew members together as one family at sea.
Life aboard a cruise ship, especially with the vessel’s demanding four- and five-day turnaround schedules, made it difficult for the Goan community to gather every day during the 13-day Trezena leading up to the feast. However, many crew members faithfully recited the St Anthony Rosary and Novena prayers individually in their cabins despite their busy work commitments.
The Goan community aboard Carnival Freedom includes around 30 Catholic and 20 non-Catholic crew members working in different departments across the ship. The Feast Day celebration highlighted fellowship and mutual respect, with crew members joining together regardless of their department or religious background.
Adding to the importance of the occasion, several senior officers took part in the celebration, including the Captain, Chief Engineer, Hotel Director, HR Director and other department heads. Their presence was greatly appreciated and made the gathering even more memorable. The Feast Day prayer service concluded with a traditional spread of Goan delicacies prepared by Goan chefs onboard.
