Collaboration Sponsors “Coral Gardening” Restoration Expeditions

This World Oceans Day, Royal Caribbean Group is celebrating the oceans it sails by partnering with Inter Miami CF to sponsor six months’ worth of coral restoration expeditions with Rescue a Reef. 

The citizen science program run by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School will help provide meaningful, hands-on opportunities for local South Florida communities to contribute to coral gardening and reef restoration. The collaborative efforts will result in over a thousand coral colonies being planted by locals onto the reefs just miles from Miami’s shoreline.

Royal Caribbean Group’s decades-long partnership with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School has driven important research on the health of the oceans, including coral reefs. 

Now, through Rescue a Reef, Royal Caribbean Group and Inter Miami CF, Royal Caribbean International’s official vacation partner, are teaming up to help raise awareness on the importance of coral reefs to both the local ecosystems and communities. 

These homegrown powerhouses will continue to work together to allow recreational SCUBA divers and snorkelers to contribute to their conservation and restoration.

To mark World Oceans Day, Royal Caribbean Group and research divers from Rescue a Reef welcomed Inter Miami’s midfielder and Miami native, Benjamin Cremaschi on a coral restoration expedition. Cremaschi and Nick Rose, vice president, head of ESG, Royal Caribbean Group, teamed up to dive into “Royal Caribbean Group Reef”, a new coral restoration site for research and rehabilitation. 

Working together they laid the groundwork that will build up lively neighborhoods of coral colonies that provide shelter, food and nursery areas for numerous marine species.

Nick Rose, vice president, head of ESG at Royal Caribbean Group, said; “Spending a big part of my life around our oceans, first as part of a Navy family and then starting my career as a shipboard environmental officer, I know first-hand how important it is to keep our oceans healthy to sustain our planet.

“It was an incredible experience to come together with Benjamin and expert researchers to protect the beauty of the oceans and to be able to create opportunities for our local communities to join us.“

Diego Lirman, professor of marine biology and ecology and director of Rescue a Reef program at the Rosenstiel School, commented; “We are excited to collaborate with Royal Caribbean Group in support of our efforts for coral reef restoration. Reef restoration is a vital component of maintaining healthy and productive coral reefs. Coral reefs provide food, coastline protection and boundless recreation for ocean enthusiasts.”

Inter Miami CF midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi added; “As a Key Biscayne native, I’ve always had a special appreciation for the ocean. That’s why it was important to me to team up with Royal Caribbean to do my part in maintaining the health of our oceans. 

“It was amazing to see the Royal Caribbean Group Reef and to help with the restoration project. Our hope is that the work we did inspires continued efforts from the community so we can have a lasting impact together.”