Carnival Cruise Line brought smiles to little faces at the Queensland Children’s Hospital on Tuesday 14 July, as The Grinch and Cat in the Hat made a surprise visit.
The Dr. Seuss characters took time away from causing mischief onboard Carnival Encounter, to join the ship’s Cruise Director and Fun Squad at the Children’s Hospital Foundation Fun Day.
Young patients and their families were treated to a surprise meet-and-greet with the Dr. Seuss favourites, while craft stations, a puppy play area and plenty of sweet treats helped transform the day into a celebration filled with fun, creativity and smiles.
During the event, Carnival Cruise Line presented the Queensland Children’s Hospital Foundation with a $135,000 donation raised by guests to help support programs and services for sick children and their families.
The cheque was presented to Queensland Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Senior Partnerships Manager Pete Breuer and Partnerships team, by Carnival’s National Sales Manager Mark Richards, Director of Entertainment Jeremy Barnes, members of the Carnival Encounter Fun Squad and Cruise Director Franco Spies.
Queensland Children’s Hospital Foundation Fun Days provide sick children and their families with a valuable break from clinical routines, offering moments of connection, laughter and play while they navigate some of life’s toughest challenges.
Carnival Cruise Line has been a proud supporter of the Children’s Hospital Foundation in Queensland since 2019 and has hosted its recurring events as the Conga for Kids onboard Carnival Luminosa since the ship began sailing from Queensland in November 2022, and on Carnival Encounter since joining the Carnival fleet in March 2025.
