Royal Caribbean Cruises' Global Security Conference Gives Back with Bikes and Backpacks

Each year, the Global Security department partakes in a week-long conference with seminars focused on leadership and security development. For 2019, the event was held July 29 to August 2nd at the Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort in Miami, Florida, and it featured guest speakers from the FBI and Homeland Security. 

The Security conference is an opportunity for the team to discuss aspects and challenges of security operations during routine and emergency situations. New and returning security officers are exposed to investigative topics, such as domestic violence, financial crimes, and fleet security. Simultaneously, attendees get certified in CVSSA (Crime Scene Preservation) and QPR (Suicide Prevention).  

The Global Security Conference also focuses on team building and has implemented a new tradition of giving back to the community through social impact projects. 

This year’s conference totaled 53 attendees from our various ships and brands, who worked together to make the project bigger and better than last year. Combined with shoreside employees, the global security officers came together to assemble 500 backpacks—200 more than last year’s total—stuffing them with school supplies for donation to various communities and organizations in the Bahamas.   

“It is always a great honor and privilege to be on the giving side, doing something good and yet so simple, which will bring a huge impact for those who receive it,” said Ofir Bar, Manager of Fleet and Port Security. “It is very inspiring and heartwarming, and I’m hoping that this spirit will carry on and influence others towards making our world a better place in which to live.”  

The Global Security team also incorporated a bike build into this year’s conference. The result was a total of 50 bikes for homeless students in the Miami-Dade public school system, providing the kids with a crucial means of transportation to school and work. When the team meets again for their September conference, they plan to raise that number by an additional 75 bikes.