Holland America Line Enter Partnership to Help Ocean Conservation

As part of their ‘Our Marvellous Oceans’ partnership with the Marine Conservation Institute, Holland America are developing a series of programmes designed to highlight marine protected areas around the world and educate guests and crew members.

On board presentations by expert personnel, covering a wide range of marine protection topics, will help inform guests and crewmembers how to act more responsibly towards the sea. Special shore excursions highlighting the good work of the Marine Conservation Institute will further highlight the steps needed to protect our oceans.

Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line, explained: “The goal of this partnership is to promote marine protected areas around the world — especially in those regions where our ships sail.  The new program also will create enrichment opportunities for guests to learn more about these important conservation locations.

“Together with Marine Conservation Institute, Holland America Line shares a belief in our responsibility to protect the oceans, and together we want to educate our guests and crew about these special places and about how we can collectively make a difference.”

In the Caribbean, the programme will focus on marine life and the protection of fragile marine ecosystems. Guests are invited to snorkel in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to witness the area’s beautiful coral reef. Additionally, guests can enjoy a night time kayak adventure on the luminescent bay in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Passengers aboard selected Holland America Line itineraries in Australia and New Zealand can take a nature cruise to observe Hector’s dolphins in Akaroa, New Zealand.

Dr Lance Morgan, president of Marine Conservation Institute, continued: “We are excited to create another meaningful program in partnership with Holland America Line. Marine protected areas are an important tool for safeguarding critical ecological places around the world, yet they receive little attention and awareness. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring more focus on these special ocean places.”

‘Our Marvellous Oceans’ began in 2010 and alongside the education programmes has been dedicated to sourcing sustainable seafood for all of their passengers.

Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: Shawn McCready, Brian Holland, Pacific Region