Windstar and Coral Gardeners: A year together
Windstar Cruises, a leader in small ship cruises, celebrates the one-year anniversary of its partnership with Coral Gardeners, an organization based in Moorea (French Polynesia) dedicated to revolutionizing ocean conservation and creating a global movement to save coral reefs through restoration efforts, awareness campaigns, and innovative solutions.
Entering its second year of collaboration, Windstar Cruises has announced new initiatives to support Coral Gardeners, including expanding the coral adoption program for cruise guests, introducing a new educational onshore excursion in Tahiti, and launching a recently initiated series of informative conferences on coral reef conservation.
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The partnership began in October 2022 aboard the Star Breeze in Moorea, with Windstar donating 1,000 coral adoptions to Coral Gardeners. Guests cruising in French Polynesia were given the opportunity to adopt a coral with a $35 donation per person. Windstar has now expanded the program, allowing all guests sailing to any destination the chance to adopt a coral. To date, Windstar, along with its guests, has adopted over 2,400 corals and aims to surpass the 2,500 goal by year-end. The cruise company’s objective is to establish a dedicated nursery for 5,000 corals by 2025.
Starting in 2024 in Tahiti, when Star Breeze returns to the region with a new itinerary including the Marquesas, Windstar will introduce a new onshore excursion. This excursion will take guests to the Coral Gardeners facility to meet the team, visit the nurseries, and learn about the practical and interactive importance of coral protection. Coral Gardeners’ staff will explain the process of selecting heat-resistant corals, their growth in nurseries, and the replanting of healthy corals in damaged reefs to restore the entire ecosystem and revive marine diversity.
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To further raise public awareness, Windstar Cruises has recently launched a series of onboard conferences during stops in Moorea. These informative conferences, led by a Coral Gardeners team member, educate and raise awareness among guests about coral reef conservation.
“We are proud of this significant partnership with Coral Gardeners and appreciate our guests’ support and interest,” stated Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “With over 35 years of sailing in Tahiti, Windstar has a deep connection to the destination and is excited about the work and positive impact Coral Gardeners is making on our oceans’ health. By working with Coral Gardeners, we can actively contribute to the conservation of these fragile ecosystems and inspire meaningful change.”
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The Star Breeze, a 312-guest ship with only suites, will replace the Wind Spirit in February 2024 as the year-round ship in Tahiti. For more information on Windstar Cruises and its itineraries, visit www.windstarcruises.com.
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