Disney Cruise Line VoluntEARS Remove Nearly Two Tons of Trash from Florida and Bahamas Beaches

Disney Cruise Line crew members and cast teamed up to clear nearly two tons of debris from beaches in Cocoa Beach, Florida and on Eleuthera in the Bahamas. The effort drew volunteers from both the Disney Wish and the Lighthouse Point development team, working alongside local partner organizations. The cruise line also highlighted onboard sustainability investments, including liquefied natural gas propulsion on the Disney Wish.

Disney Cruise Line VoluntEARS joined forces across Florida and the Bahamas to haul nearly two tons of trash from coastal beaches. Crew and cast members from the Disney Wish cleaned Cocoa Beach near Port Canaveral, while the Lighthouse Point development team worked alongside Bahamian community members on Bannerman Town Beach in Eleuthera.

Cocoa Beach Cleanup with Keep Brevard Beautiful

In partnership with Keep Brevard Beautiful, Disney Wish crew and shoreside cast members picked up trash along Cocoa Beach, near Disney Cruise Line's homeport in Port Canaveral on Florida's east coast. Sharon Siskie, Disney Cruise Line senior vice president and general manager, participated in the effort. "It's great to be out here with our cast and crew members honoring our commitment to the environment," Siskie said, adding that the event was part of a worldwide effort to protect the oceans.

Disney Wish entertainment crew member Katie described the range of debris the group collected: plastics, fishing line, soda cans, and bottle caps. "Small pieces that, at a glance, you wouldn't notice but definitely make a huge difference," she said. For Katie, who visits Port Canaveral regularly while working aboard the ship, the cleanup was personal. "It's one of those places that we spend a lot of our time. It's a second home, so we want to give back to the community."

Bryan Bobbitt, executive director of Keep Brevard Beautiful, underscored the importance of corporate partnerships in driving behavioral change. "Partnerships like this one with Disney Cruise Line are very important to us because we get all of these volunteers to come out and help make a difference in our communities," Bobbitt said.

Lighthouse Point Team Cleans Bahamian Shore

In Eleuthera, where development has begun on Disney's second private island destination in the Bahamas, the Lighthouse Point team joined local community members to clean the shores of Bannerman Town Beach. The crew removed thousands of pounds of plastics, glass bottles, large ropes, and fishing nets. Pachancia, an assistant conservation manager with Disney Cruise Line in the Bahamas, explained the ecological stakes: "We have a lot of keen species and native and migratory species that rely on our beaches for nesting sites or food, so it means a lot to me for Disney to be part of this."

Onboard Sustainability Investments

The beach cleanups are part of Disney Cruise Line's broader environmental strategy. Onboard, the line is investing in technologies that increase fuel efficiency and minimize waste. The Disney Wish is powered in part by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and incorporates numerous design advances that make it one of the most fuel-efficient cruise ships currently in service. "Today and into the future, we are committed to making a difference in the world around us," said Siskie.

Why This Matters for Guests

Disney Cruise Line's VoluntEARS program represents one of the more visible ways the company invests in the port communities where its ships call. For guests sailing into Port Canaveral or planning to visit Lighthouse Point when it opens, these conservation efforts extend the Disney experience well beyond the ship itself. Learn more about Disney Cruise Line at DisneyCruise.com.