Holland America Line And Seabourn Celebrate Earth Day With Renewal Of Marine Conservation Institute Partnership

SEATTLE, April 22, 2013 /CNW/ - In recognition of Earth Day, Holland America Line and Seabourn today are announcing the renewal of their partnership with Marine Conservation Institute. The partnership with the Washington State–based organization began in 2010 with the "Our Marvelous Oceans" program, and will continue with the signing of a new three-year agreement that runs through 2016.

The goal of "Our Marvelous Oceans" is to foster greater understanding of the marine environment through guest and staff education and commitment to sustainably sourced seafood on shipboard menus. The partnership also includes a new "Saving the Ocean's Gems" program to be rolled out in fall 2013 that promotes Marine Protected Areas — parts of the ocean set aside to protect endangered species, special habitats and/or cultural heritage sites — especially along the ships' itineraries.

"Over the past three years we have learned a tremendous amount from the Marine Conservation Institute about protecting our oceans, and it's only fitting that we renew our partnership on Earth Day," said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line, and chairman, Seabourn. "It is important that we continue to provide information to our guests and crewmembers about what we can all do to protect and improve the health of our oceans, and we're fortunate to have the international experts at the Marine Conservation Institute working with us as part of our many environmental endeavors."

"We are delighted to continue the committed partnership that we have forged in the past three years with Holland America Line and Seabourn," said Dr. Lance Morgan, President of Marine Conservation Institute, located in Seattle, Wash. "We share a strong interest in healthy oceans, and this partnership has provided an innovative opportunity to advance the conservation message and has had real-world impact toward furthering our mission through projects such as sustainable seafood purchasing."

Morgan added, "We look forward with enthusiasm to developing the programming around 'Saving the Ocean's Gems' in the next year."

Both Holland America Line and Seabourn strive to ensure that seafood menu selections served aboard both lines are responsibly sourced, promoting the continued viability of fish species essential to a biologically diverse marine environment. The Marine Conservation Institute determines the sustainability of a particular seafood item by referring to well-established seafood sustainability ratings. They then apply their professional expertise and judgment to confirm the sustainability of the selection.

The educational element of the "Our Marvelous Oceans" program is rich in content. A video series broadcast on all Holland America Line ships and on the line's websites introduces ocean issues and highlights important marine conservation topics that relate to the ships' itineraries.

As part of the lines' onboard enrichment programs, Marine Conservation Institute board members, executives and staff present lectures and conduct question-and-answer sessions on select itineraries, creating an opportunity for guests to interact with and learn from world-class scientists.

With the new "Saving the Ocean's Gems" focus, Marine Protected Areas in and near the lines' most traveled itineraries will be identified, and Holland America Line and Seabourn will work with Marine Conservation Institute to provide enrichment opportunities for guests to learn more about the areas.

Recognized throughout the cruise industry for their environmental efforts, Holland America Line and Seabourn's Environmental Management Systems are certified to conform to the ISO 14001 standard by independent registrars - Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance and Det Norske Veritas, respectively. The Environmental Management System is the collection of all environmental policies, training and procedures for every shipboard significant environmental aspect. This certification recognizes the robust environmental standards, commitment to continual improvement and policy to prevent pollution.

About Marine Conservation Institute
Marine Conservation Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to securing lasting protection for the ocean's most important places. Founded in 1996, Marine Conservation Institute is headquartered in Seattle, Wash., and has offices in California and Washington, D.C. Marine Conservation Institute brings together experts to diagnose threats to the oceans and works with scientists, conservationists, fishermen, business people, government officials, legislators and the media to fashion sustainable solutions compatible with healthy, living oceans. Marine Conservation Institute has been instrumental in making the protection of places in the sea one of the leading issues on the world's marine conservation agenda. Learn more about the Marine Conservation Institute online at www.marine-conservation.org or on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on marine protected areas, please visit MPAtlas.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a professional travel seller; call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425); or visit www.hollandamerica.com or the Plan a Cruise tab at www.Facebook.com/HALcruises. For more information on Seabourn's award-winning cruise vacations, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.

Find Seabourn on Twitter, Facebook and the Seabourn Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Community link at www.seabourn.com.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc. (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. One- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. The line currently has a new ship on order from Fincantieri shipyard for delivery in February 2016.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $500 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

Seabourn is consistently ranked among the world's top travel choices by professional critics and the discerning readers of prestigious travel publications such as Departures, Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler. Its stylish, distinctive cruising vacations are renowned for: six intimate ships with just 104 or 225 suites; unique itineraries visiting must-see cities and hidden gems where larger ships cannot follow; Intuitive, gracious service provided by a staff passionate about pleasing our guests; spacious all-suite accommodations with sweeping ocean views - many with verandas; gourmet dining experiences as fine as the best restaurants anywhere; open bars throughout the ship and fine wines poured with lunch and dinner.

World's Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

SOURCE: Holland America Line

http://www.hollandamerica.com

http://www.seabourn.com

http://www.marine-conservation.org