Sailing for Science

What should passengers consider, and how much value does citizen science really add to a cruise? Around 12 years ago, while cruising in the Bay of Biscay, I saw a whale in European waters for the first time. It didn’t blow or breach, but it was a thrill to focus pin-sharp binoculars (not mine) on its flinty fin and know with absolute certainty that it was a humpback. 

Had it not been for the marine mammal surveyors from wildlife charity Orca, who were on board, I would’ve missed the whale completely. Thanks partly to partnerships with ferries and cruise ships, Orca contributes to several high-level global conservation initiatives. That week, I attended talks and spent around four hours on deck. I learnt more about whales and their behaviour than I had in decades of travelling.

Back then, citizen science, as this type of on-board experience is known, was still in its infancy. Now, most expedition ships will have at least one if not several, ongoing projects in which passengers can get involved, from counting ripples in the Aurora Borealis in Norway to gathering phytoplankton samples in Antarctica. We are no longer content with seeing; we want to be “doing” or, at the very least, learning. 

Citizen science has successfully brought science down from its ivory tower. Generous with their time and knowledge, the field experts in marine biology, zoology, whales and dolphins (cetaceans), birds, penguins, and geology I’ve encountered on board have been approachable. Their knowledge and experiences have been both educational and enriching. 

“Most people booking an expedition cruise are likely curious and environmentally aware. They’re potential ambassadors who can continue their involvement in science projects at home,” says Viking Polaris' chief scientist, Jason Heydon. Guests are getting a holistic experience, and we’re getting real science done.”