Ambassador Cruise Line has announced a partnership with marine conservation charity ORCA to launch the “first cruise anti-whaling campaign”.

The cruise line will host two ORCA ocean conservationists on 11 sailings on Ambience in 2022 and 2023.

It will also encourage guests not to consume whale meat, and there will be no destination experiences to oceanariums.

Ambassador Cruise Line CEO Christian Verhounig said: “We at Ambassador feel incredibly passionate about supporting this cause.

“This joined up approach with ORCA demonstrates our committed action in addressing this issue of unnecessary dolphin hunts and commercial whaling and to encourage change.

“This approach has been developed taking expert advice from our new partner, ORCA, who we are extremely proud to be working with, and from other global experts.

“Tourism is one of the key drivers of commercial whaling and consuming whale meat poses a significant human health risk. In all of our communications to our cruise guests we will advise them to avoid consuming this product in destinations that they visit.

“We have also taken the decision not to include any excursions to oceanariums or experiences that involve captive marine mammals.

“We also have confidence that if activities take place which force us to reconsider our sailings and change our itineraries, our booked guests will understand and fully support our decision.”

The ocean conservationists on board Ambience will visit countries such as Iceland, Greenland and sail the Iberian coast, Black Sea and Irish Sea.

During their voyages they will collect scientific data in key areas.

Two of the 11 cruises will be Ambassador’s multi-generational cruises, where ORCA will be providing a multi-generational-focused education programme.

ORCA will also have a permanent presence on Ambience with a dedicated enrichment area that will include a range of “fun and exciting activities about whales and dolphins”, Ambassador said.