MSC Cruises Hosts Marine Mammal Observer Aboard Alaska-Based Ship
MSC Cruises welcomed Marine Mammal Observer, Maria Snell, to MSC Poesia today as the ship continues its Alaska season out of Seattle. Snell will conduct research on responsible passenger ship operations in environments where whales live, assess shore excursions through a conservation lens, and host educational lectures and whale-watching experiences for passengers.
During peak whale season, Snell will conduct a new research protocol deployed by ORCA, a marine conservation organization, for use on MSC Poesia. Through the research, ORCA hopes to contribute valuable insights to the wider scientific and maritime communities.
“As MSC Cruises continues to grow its presence in Alaska, we are committed to doing so thoughtfully and in partnership with organizations that bring deep expertise and local knowledge,” said Linden Coppell, VP of Sustainability & ESG at MSC Cruises. “Building on our longstanding relationship with ORCA, hosting a dedicated Marine Mammal Observer onboard MSC Poesia creates an important opportunity to better understand the interactions between passenger vessels and marine wildlife, while advancing conservation education for both crew and guests… We are delighted to welcome Maria aboard and look forward to learning from her work throughout the season.”
A UK-based conservationist with a master’s degree in Global Wildlife Health and Conservation, Maria Snell is a trained Marine Mammal Observer and a leading member of ORCA’s whale-vessel interaction research program. Since joining ORCA in 2022, she’s spent three summers conducting field research in Alaska, collecting data on humpback whale behavior and vessel interactions to better understand effective mitigation measures.
She’ll serve as an expert voice aboard the ship, leading passenger education programs, sharing insights into marine mammal conservation and research, and providing guidance on how visitors can be responsible tourists throughout Alaska.
Hosting a Marine Mammal Observer aboard one of its ships is the next phase of MSC’s longstanding partnership with ORCA, which has included marine wildlife training for shipboard officers since 2022. This partnership marks the first time active research conducted onboard will directly inform future crew training and operational protocols. At the end of the project, ORCA will publish a scientific report detailing Snell’s findings.
This is MSC Cruises’ first season ever in Alaska. MSC Poesia will continue to sail to the Last Frontier through September, operating seven-night cruises that visit Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Juneau in Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Voyages also include scenic cruising through Endicott Arm, featuring views of Dawes Glacier.
