The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. And Jean-Michel Cousteau Expand Celebrated Environmental Program To New Caribbean Destinations

MIAMI, April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is pleased to introduce two new Caribbean destinations to offer the award-winning Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment, enhancing the region's acclaimed portfolio of luxury travel experiences for discerning travelers around the world. Reflecting the popularity of the environmental program's first collaboration with The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, it's now available at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, in addition to the newly launched first Reserve in the Americas, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

The pioneering program, which emphasizes education and respect for environmental sustainability is exclusively crafted for each diverse landscape and culture, designed for guests to explore the world's captivating natural wonders and heighten extraordinary getaways with innovative environmental education and activities. Through exciting eco-adventures, exploration and excursions, native resources serve as platforms and living laboratories to showcase the diverse biological character and cultural heritage of each destination while fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for nature. 

Guided by expertly-trained naturalists, the program provides a comprehensive selection of recreational activities for children, adults and families of all ages through exotic backdrops, including snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and underwater photography. With the aim of imparting environmental and sustainability awareness, guests have the opportunity to create memorable experiences, such as discovering the resident population of living dinosaurs in St. Thomas, diving into the magnificent coral reefs that protect the beautiful beaches of Puerto Rico and exploring the critical role of lush mangrove lagoons in Grand Cayman.

Signature adventures available include:

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas 

• Mangrove & Dinosaur Wonderland
  Explore the mysterious world of mangroves. Discover how mangrove trees protect coastlines from erosion and how they support an amazing diversity of wildlife. Our most brave participants will get the opportunity to feed our resident population of living dinosaurs (green iguanas), getting to know them up close and personal (measured in inches). 
• Ocean Kayak and Snorkel Adventure
  Great Bay provides endless opportunities to learn about St. Thomas' many ecosystems. Through a combo-kayak and snorkel excursion, we'll explore the bay, including how weather, waves, geology of the mountains inland, the sea grass beds and the coastal plain converge to give us Great Bay with its rich biota and productivity.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve 

• Coral Reefs – Cities Under the Sea
  Explore the living communities of fish, coral and algae as our naturalists guide you on an interpretive and exciting snorkel. Capture these images with underwater digital cameras and create memories to last a lifetime. 
• Take Pictures, Leave Bubbles
  Learn how to use digital cameras with waterproof housings to capture your view of the underwater world. Once we return from our underwater adventure, digitally enhance your favorite shots and use them to create a moving slideshow to take back home.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

• Night Snorkel
  With flashlights, we take the curious and adventurous on the excursion of a lifetime to discover the fascinating world of the reef at night. 
• Mangrove Kayak To The World of Upside Down Jellyfish
  Enter a wonderland where land and sea meet in a dense labyrinth of mangrove trees. In this science fiction, mysterious forest we discover what appears to be a living undersea garden of pulsating "flowers."  These "flowers" are beautiful jellyfish silently move water across gardens of algae living in their upraised tentacles where sunlight is converted into food.

Travelers who would like to experience Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and the exclusive Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve can contact their travel professional at 800-241-3333 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com 

Verona Carter
Area Director of Public Relations
(786) 470-3434
[email protected]  

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.