We are all too aware of the current outbreak of COVID-19 and its potential impact. During this time of heightened awareness and in depth news coverage, it is vital that we understand the reality of the situation. We are still in the early stages of the outbreak and details are developing daily. The news media, while informative, will always focus on shock value to grab attention, clicks, and headlines. In this respect, they tend to focus on negative aspects in any situation while underreporting the positive news. As of this writing, there are over 84,000 cases worldwide.

Along the coast of Cozumel, which is an island just east of Playa de Carmen in Mexico, a very special project is beginning to take shape and grow. Cozumel is one of the most popular cruise ship destinations in Mexico and its nearby coral reef is the second largest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Unfortunately, cruise ships that come to port in Cozumel stir up sediment which is damaging and destroying the nearby reef.

Celebrity Cruise Lines is continuing to break away from tradition by naming CEO Reshma Saujani as the godmother of their second ship in the Edge Series, the Celebrity Apex. As the founder of the international non-profit organization, Girls Who Code, Reshma has dedicated her life to the empowerment of women. Since its creation in 2012, Girls Who Code have reached over 185,000 girls at almost every stage of their educational journey inspiring them to major in computer science and helping to close the gender gap in entry-level computer science jobs.

A rare solar eclipse is occurring on December 4^th, 2021 and Hurtigruten is offering people from around the world a once in a lifetime opportunity to view this astronomical phenomenon. Both of the world’s only hybrid-powered expedition ships, the MS Roald Amundsen and the MS Fram, will be setting sail to Antarctica so guests can witness this unique natural phenomenon that occurs only once every 400 years.