Azamara has launched a new educational experience on select voyages to promote ocean conservation!
The new program is part of Azamara Club Cruises partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and will consist of a WWF Speaker series, specialised tours with WWF speakers, and a crew ambassador program.
We sat down with Azamara President, Larry Pimentel, to find out more about the cruise company’s sustainability efforts.
“Part of our commitment to ensuring the long-term health of our oceans is educating our guests about the importance of ocean conversation,” Pimentel told us.
“With our WWF at Sea program, we’re aligning with Azamara’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and engaging the global community to raise awareness about the importance of marine and environmental conservation.”
Pimentel is most excited about the WWF Speaker Series, which features leading experts covering a range of topics including marine conservation and sustainable agriculture.
“We will also include Cruise Global, Eco Local shore excursions hosted by our WWF speakers, and a crew ambassador program; led by each ship’s environmental officer, providing guests with additional opportunities to learn more about Azamara’s efforts to protect the environment through personal interactions with the crew.
“The Ambassador will also help organize crew activities in port with local organizations that support the goals of WWF.”
What prompted this new commitment?
“The oceans are our home and we’re committed to ensuring the long-term health of them.”
“Over the next five years our parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises will set and achieve ambitious and measurable sustainability targets that will reduce our environmental footprint, support WWF’s global oceans conservation work, and raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation.
“Royal Caribbean will further their commitment to sustainable travel by eliminating single-use plastics aboard their cruise ships.
Currently, Azamara ships only distribute plastic straws upon request, and the cruise line has a long-term plan in place to expand this policy and eliminate plastic straws, stirrers and picks altogether.
“I think there is an opportunity to better promote sustainable travel,” Pimentel told us.
“[We must] educate guests on the importance of conservation of earth and everything that is involved in it.
“Religious beliefs aside, people were not on earth first and we have a responsibility to take care of the place we live in.”
