Here is an interesting article from Frommer's:


Radisson Drops Dolphin-Encounter Excursions, Citing Unethical Treatment
By Matt Hannafin
July 27, 2005

Hats off to Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (tel. 800/285-1835; www.rssc.com). Last week, the luxury line took a stand against the capture and exploitation of wild marine mammals by announcing that it would support the World Society for the Protection of Animals' campaign to halt dolphin encounter operations, dropping all such excursions from its excursions rosters.

"Sadly, under the guise of communing with nature or advancing our scientific understanding, dolphin encounter programs too often overlook the way dolphins actually exist and interact with each other in the wild," said Darius Mehta, Radisson's director of land programs. "While some parks may obtain dolphins legally, many use illegal and cruel means to capture these magnificent animals. While we will continue to employ programs that allow our guests the wonderful experience of observing dolphins in the wild, we're opposed to those that interfere with dolphins' natural behavior."

Radisson is among the few cruise lines to embrace oceanography as part of its onboard programming, offering activities created in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society (www.oceanfutures.org). Designed to encourage guests to become responsible environmental citizens, the program includes onboard discussions and workshops by Cousteau and other Ocean Future Society experts, original in-suite TV programming, the ability to watch experts' dives via live TV uplinks, and an "Ambassadors of the Environment" program for kids on the line's Tahiti sailings.

Cousteau applauded Radisson's stand. "Capturing marine mammals for the purpose of orchestrating structured encounters with humans or to display them in unnatural circumstances is unethical, puts them at risk, and interferes with their natural and appropriate life cycles," said Cousteau, adding that Radisson is "making a vital and forceful statement to the travel and tourism industry that these encounter programs should be avoided at all costs." Frommer\'s

:app: :app: Now if they abandon dog sledding excursions in Alaska I'll breathe a sigh of relief.

That's great news, although there's lots more things like that. As much as we all like FP adventures like Lagoonariums and such, they take a toll on the environment, I am told.

Suzie, you are kidding about the dog sledding, right? Having owned a sled dog (malamute), I know how much those dogs enjoy pulling a sled.

I'm not kidding.

I am glad to read this. I had no idea this was going on but I am glad to see that Radisson is working on educating itself and its passengers.

Hat's off indeed, to RSSC for taking this stand. It would be fantastic to see dolphins up close and personal, but not at the price of their captivity and exploitation. I applaud RSSC for keeping the natural world in mind -- not the easiest thing for a cruise line to do, given the potential for various types of environmental damage from cruise ships.