Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) and the Pacific Whale Foundation have established a collaborative arrangement to extend the reach of the foundation’s Keiki Whale Watch programme, a marine education initiative for primary and middle school students in Maui County. This collaboration is aligned with NCLH’s broader Sail & Sustain environmental stewardship framework, which guides the company’s commitments to ocean protection, community engagement and education as part of its operational strategy.
Under the expanded arrangement, the number of students participating in the whale-watch education programme is expected to more than double in 2026, with planning targets indicating service to over 2 200 pupils from Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, about half of whom will be supported through full sponsorship provisions. The original Keiki Whale Watch format integrates shore-based classroom instruction with guided whale-watch excursions aboard vessels under the foundation’s direction, providing students with direct observation of humpback whales in their natural environment as part of a structured marine science curriculum.
The partnership also encompasses support for the Pacific Whale Foundation’s annual World Whale Day Parade, an event that culminates a series of community activities related to marine conservation and takes place along South Kihei Road, bringing together local groups and spectators in recognition of the humpback whale migration season. This support extends NCLH’s engagement beyond the vessel deck into port-side community events with a conservation focus.
In conjunction with these programmes, Pride of America cruise operations in the region will include features on board linked to the parade weekend, such as educational talks delivered by the ship’s Hawaiian ambassador that provide passengers with logistical information about parade timing and convey the broader significance of the seasonal whale presence and conservation efforts.
The expanded cooperation between a major cruise operator and a marine education organisation reflects an operational emphasis on sustainable practices and local engagement, with the objective of supporting marine wildlife awareness and extending experiential learning opportunities for young residents in the vicinity of key Pacific cruising regions.