Royal Caribbean continued to support its homeport communities. In the aftermath
of Hurricane Hortense, the Sovereign of the Seas delivered 30,000 pounds
of food, clothes and supplies to Puerto Rico for its hurricane relief efforts.
The cruise line is also proud of its contribution to Miami charities
for efforts ranging from childhood development to curing paralysis.
Royal Caribbean also stepped up to a larger mandate: protecting the environmental health of the planet. In October, the Company announced the formation of the Royal Caribbean Ocean Fund, a million-dollar commitment over three years intended to fund research, education and other programs to protect the oceans. The Ocean Fund awarded its first grants of $50,000 each to the Center for Marine Conservation and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.
Royal Caribbean continued to improve its environmental and safety programs. Det Norske Veritas, a leading ship classification society, awarded the line its Safety and Environmental Protection (SEP) certification. The Company also assigned environmental officers to all of its ships, under the Company's Save the Waves program, to monitor and enforce environmental policies and regulations.