Cruise line passengers witness mass whale slaughter in Faroe Islands

Cruise line passengers witness mass whale slaughter in Faroe Islands
Edited by Travel Weekly


Ambassador Cruise Line has apologised to its passengers who saw the murder of 78 whales off the coast of the Faroe Islands.

The British cruise line was taking its guests to the port in the capital of Torshavn over the weekend where it seemed that the sea had turned red. What passengers were seeing was a traditional hunt, where locals gathered the whales before shooting them with hooks, according to The Washington Post.

Ambassador apologised to its guests who were shocked by what they’d witnessed.

“We were incredibly disappointed that this hunt occurred, particularly at a time when our ship was in port, and have offered our sincere apologies to all those onboard who may have witnessed this distressing occurrence,” the company said in a statement.

Ambassador Cruise Line Ambience

Despite the apology and shocking nature of what the passengers had seen, the company was aware of the annual event that takes place in Torshavn. The CEO of Ambassador wrote a letter to Faroe’s prime minister in 2021 expressing his dismay over a dolphin hunt that occurred that year.

Ambassador partnered with Orca, a UK marine conservation group, the same year to spread anti-whaling and dolphin hunting awareness via a campaign.

Despite efforts to raise the issue with the Faroese government, the calls fell on deaf ears.

“While traditional hunts of this type have taken place for many years in the Faroe Islands to sustain local communities, we strongly object to this outdated practice, which we believe is now becoming commercial, with meats sold in local supermarkets,” the company stated.

The Visit Faroe Islands website says that the whaling practices undertaken in the area are sustainable, with only 800 pilot whales killed every year.

“Records of all pilot whale hunts have been kept since 1584 and the practice is deemed sustainable, as there are an estimated 778,000 whales in the eastern North Atlantic region,” the website writes.

“Approximately 100,000 swim close to the Faroe Islands, and the Faroese hunt on average 800 pilot whales annually.”


Featured Image: Long-finned pilot whales are beached and killed on Faroe Islands (iStock/Kasper Solberg)

Latest News

  • Sustainability
  • Wholesalers

The Intrepid Foundation launches appeal to support Northern Vietnamese communities following Typhoon Yagi

Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal through its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, to support impacted communities in Northern Vietnam following Typhoon Yagi, which made landfall on 7 September, 2024. All funds raised through the appeal will go directly to grassroots organisation Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, to provide immediate relief to thousands without shelter, food […]

  • Aviation

Philippine Airlines and VietJet look to community connection near Western Sydney Airport

Both Philippine Airlines and VietJet will explore services from Western Sydney Airport with the airport’s proximity to the Filipino and Vietnamese diaspora in Sydney potentially beneficial to both carriers. Philippine Airlines VP revenue management and commercial planning Alex Featherstone, speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific, said the carrier would “explore” the potential […]

  • Tourism

Australian Cycle Tours adds new cycle trip to the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail

Australian Cycle Tours has added a new, extended cycle trip that includes all sections of the popular Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. The new trip commences in Beechworth with the first two days cycling with a transfer back to Beechworth, before continuing to Myrtleford and Bright, with a cycle on the newest sections of […]

  • Events
  • News

Anangu Communities Foundation raises $75,000 at its third annual Sydney fundraiser

Generous supporters gathered at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour for the third annual Anangu Communities Foundation Sydney fundraiser to help raise $75,000. Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia administers the Foundation which so far has funded over $3 million in projects to support Anangu communities of Central Australia with a focus on building community capacity in healthcare, […]

  • News
  • Travel Agents

‘Virtuoso on Tour’ photos: Virtuoso showcases its best to agent base

Virtuoso hosted its second annual Virtuoso On Tour,  a destinations event at the ICC in Sydney showcasing tour operators, tourism boards and more to its agent family. The event is designed for travel agency members in Australia and New Zealand to network with Virtuoso partners across the globe. It housed six destination-themed pavilions (Australia & […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

The NT tops list of hidden gem attractions out of Aussie states

As Australia steps into spring with temperatures set to rise above average, new research has revealed the states with the most must-see hidden gem attractions with the great outdoors proving a winner! The study, conducted by travel and luggage experts at Bounce, used Tripadvisor and search data to uncover Australia’s most treasured destinations. The Northern […]

  • Health & Wellness
  • Hotels

Fusion Hotel Group celebrates World Wellness Weekend

Vietnam’s wellness-inspired Fusion Hotel Group is celebrating World Wellness Weekend from 20-22 September with yoga and other healthy living activities. Fusion Hotel Group has introduced a series of events and activities for guests at five of its luxury beachfront resorts in Vietnam to World Wellness Weekend. The exclusive offers include yoga, meditation, onsen baths, Zumba, […]

  • Hotels

InterContinental Wellington unveils new Health Club and Classic Rooms makeover

InterContinental Wellington has announced the completion of its newly revamped Health Club and a stylish makeover of its Classic Rooms. Bringing a new level of luxury to its 79 Classic Rooms, including eight accessible rooms, the hotel has meticulously re-styled these spaces in collaboration with Y-6, an acclaimed Interior Architecture and Design studio based in […]