Santa Sails Into Miami With Big Load of Toys

MIAMI —  Santa traded his sleigh for a luxury cruise ship Saturday, bringing nearly 70,000 donated toys and an early Christmas to children of hurricane-stricken families.

Santa and his huge load of dolls, teddy bears, trains and other Christmas toys--minus the reindeer--sailed into Miami aboard the new Norwegian Cruise Line ship Dreamward.

The toys were collected by Marine Corps Reserves in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and other cities.

“This is one of the largest single donations of toys that we’ve ever seen,” said Maj. Scott McClay. “We want to help needy kids who lost their homes in the hurricane.”

The Marines will work with Florida state officials to identify children who qualify for the toys and distribute them in the coming weeks.

The toys were packed in luxury staterooms aboard the cruise ship, which was making its maiden voyage.

“Today, the Dreamward lives up to her name,” said Doug Falk, president of Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line. “We hope in some small way that this helps thousands of South Florida children.”