Contribute from Your Cruise Ship – Coral Reefs and Clean Beaches It hasn’ t gone unnoticed that travelers are more and more frequently spending parts of their vacation giving back through community initiatives. And several cruise lines are responding by making it easy for their passengers to get involved.
Coral nursery
Cruise with a Purpose: Cozumel Active Reef Restoration
Cruisers on Holland America Line who have Cozumel, Mexico as a port of call can literally immerse themselves in a local coral reef restoration initiative. It’ s a shore excursion with a twist that takes all the things we love about a beach day in Mexico( the ocean, the sunshine, the relaxed vibes) and combines it with an experience in conservation. Travelers get to be citizen-scientists for the day and support the Coral Farms program, which helps the Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration replenish coral reefs. Coral reefs sustain all sorts of damage from ocean acidification, hurricanes, warming waters, and human impacts, and replenishment efforts ensure these coastal communities retain healthy marine environments.
You’ ll participate in literally growing a coral reef as you assist local marine biologists with coral-fragment planting, plus you’ ll learn about how coral spawns and reproduces. And one of the best things about being a coral reef scientist is that you get to put on a mask and fins and splash around in the ocean … to see coral transplanting in action, of course. Conservation work is demanding, but rewarding, and participants will likely find themselves rinsing off the saltwater afterward and relaxing on the beach with a smile on their face and a cool cerveza. Not a bad day saving the planet.
Meet Surfrider Foundation Europe( on select Spain itineraries) Travel exposes us to a wealth of beautiful experiences, but it can also shock our senses when we come face to face with unexpected situations … such as the accumulation of garbage and debris on beaches. Fortunately, surfers are some of the world’ s most passionate environmental ambassadors, and across the planet, the Surfrider Foundation works to preserve ocean waters and coastlines from destructive development, agricultural impacts, and heaps of litter.
Travelers on Regent Seven Seas cruises have a unique chance to partner with Surfrider Foundation Europe for the day helping to beautify the Basque Coast of Spain by picking up litter. You’ ll head down to some of Spain’ s most popular( and spectacular) stretches of beach, and for 90 minutes, your sole mission will be to make it even more attractive. Walk the beach under the Spanish sunshine while sharing stories with your travel mates, people-watching, and plucking up pesky pieces of debris. Think of yourself as a beach make-up artist, simply enhancing the natural beauty that already existed.
Contributing to your beloved travel destinations is truly a win-win scenario. You feel good about it, and communities thrive. Reach out to your travel advisor today to create your next ripple-effect travel itinerary.
Contact Our Agency to Plan Your Personalized ESCAPE · 17