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Crystal partners with ORCA for conservation, wildlife 'deck watches'

Crystal Cruises & ORCA
An ORCA conservation expert and an award-winning wildlife photographer will join two Alaska cruises in August
Crystal Cruises' new partnership with ORCA, a leading conservation organization dedicated to the protection of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises), will place wildlife experts on board.

Scientific data collection

They'll train Crystal’s bridge team in the protocol for collecting scientific data about the animals’ behavior as well as best conservation practices. The ORCA conservationists will also lead passenger question and answer sessions, wildlife 'deck watches,' data collection and guided excursions ashore.

Following the training, Crystal will continue to support ORCA’s research and preservation efforts, passing along data collected from its global itineraries to the organization’s expert team as part of the ORCA OceanWatch program.

Alaska cruises

ORCA’s experts are set to sail aboard two 2019 Crystal Symphony cruises through Alaska between Anchorage and Vancouver, BC. On these Aug. 20 and Aug. 27 sailings, the ship will traverse the Inside Passage and visit Hubbard Glacier, areas rich in sea life. On board will be Lucy Babey, ORCA’s head of science and conservation, and John Young, an expert in birding and natural history and an award-winning wildlife photographer.

Crystal will look to further expand the ORCA OceanWatch program to the rest of its oceangoing fleet.