Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has introduced a ban on the use of plastic straws on its four ocean ships, while plastic cutlery is being removed throughout the fleet.

The company has also committed to removing single-use coffee cups from Bookmark Cafés, replacing plastic laundry bags with linen alternatives, reducing its use of cling film, and using ropes, rather than plastic, to secure items during rough seas.

Thomas Rennesland, hotel operations director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “As a cruise line, we make our living out of the sea. We need to do our utmost to conserve this precious environment and make sure that it is safeguarded for marine life and the enjoyment of generations to come.

“There are three key elements to the environmental measures that we are undertaking across our fleet: to reduce and – where possible – eliminate single-use disposable plastics; to reduce the amount of plastics used operationally; and finally, to influence our supply chain in their behaviours.

“We have been listening to guest feedback and asking our staff how we can work together to reduce, and wherever possible, remove our reliance upon single-use plastics. On board Boudicca, for instance, we have been able to reduce the use of cling film by 32 per cent, and this is being replicated across our other ships.”

In addition, the cruise line is looking at similar measures for its river cruise ship, Brabant.