The Conservation Cruise is a partnership between Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) and Norwegian Cruise Line to help educate guests about ocean conservation while having fun on board the Norwegian Escape!
Norwegian Escape’s previous voyages stopped in Caribbean destinations, but this year, the team for the first time visited 4 destinations along the east coast of the US and Canada – New York City, New York; Portland, Maine, Bar Harbour, Maine; St. John, Bay of Fundy and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
This particular voyage took the same route that many of the GHRI tagged shortfin mako sharks travel as pointed out by Professor Brad Wetherbee of University of Rhode Island and Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) during his onboard presentations. Dr. David Gilliam of Nova Southeastern University also discussed with guests the importance of conserving corals reefs and showcased his collaborative coral reef restoration project with Norwegian Cruise Line at their private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas.” Dr. Guy Harvey shared information about blue fin tuna, a natural asset to the USA and Canada. He also presented on the history of the Guy Harvey brand. Jessica Harvey, Project Manager of the GHOF shared the history of GHOF and 20 years of accomplishments by GHRI; and southern stingray biology, research and economic importance to the Cayman Islands economy.
Guests on board were able to meet and interact with the team during onboard presentations, documentary screenings, live painting and meet and greet events.
While on shore, the team visited 3 different high schools in Maine and Dalhousie University in Halifax to showcase Mako Shark Evolutions, a documentary created by award winning director and cinematographer George Schellenger, Content Manager of the GHOF. All presentations on board and on shore were followed with an interactive Q/A session.
For the first time, the team hosted an Ocean Trivia game with prizes! Quiz Master and GHOF Development Coordinator Louisa Gibson created questions based on the educational videos hosted on the onboard Guy Harvey Channel and the newest premiered documentary Sharks! that combines footage and information from expeditions all over the world to study shark movements. This documentary is now available on Amazon Prime.
In between the work, the team had fun exploring the sites, tasting sustainably caught (and delicious) seafood, testing the ropes course on board and watching comedy, magic shows and musicals showcased by Norwegian Cruise Line.
Feel like you might have missed out? Don’t fret as you can have your chance to join the team on the next Conservation Cruise! Keep posted on the Guy Harvey and Norwegian Cruise Line Social Media channels to ensure you save your spot!