New Alaska cruise ship hosts marine mammal observer to better prevent whale strikes

Cruise ship passengers stroll the seawalk next to the MSC Poesia during its maiden call to Juneau on May 15, 2026. (Photo by Alix Soliman/KTOO)
An unusual partnership is sailing Alaska’s waters this summer. A cruise line is teaming up with an international whale advocacy organization to host a marine mammal observer on board for part of the season. 
Steve Jones is the chief operating officer at ORCA, a citizen-science nonprofit based in the United Kingdom that advocates for whales an