Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced an expanded partnership with the Australian environmental non-for-profit Take 3 for the Sea, as the exclusive sponsor of its 2024/25 Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) Program.
The new initiative reinforces the Company’s NCL Cares philosophy of creating meaningful and effective hands-on opportunities to engage and support local communities, as well as making a positive impact on the environment. Just in time for Australia’s summer surf season, NCL will serve as the exclusive sponsor of the Take 3 for the Sea Surf Life Saving Club Program to support its effort to educate the national surf lifesaving communities about the critical issue of marine debris, as well as equip them with resources to tackle plastic pollution.
The program, which runs from now through to March 2025, promotes environmental stewardship, community engagement, and encourages active participation in beach clean-ups to protect and preserve the country’s beaches and marine ecosystems.
“NCL is proud to strengthen its partnership with Take 3 for the Sea, by supporting the rollout of the Take 3 Surf Life Saving Club Program across Australia,” said Ben Angell, VP and Managing Director NCL APAC. “As one of the cornerstones of our NCL Cares philosophy, this initiative aligns with our commitment to make a positive impact on the environment and the communities across the country. By bringing recognition to this valuable, grass roots initiative, we are empowering even more Australians with simple actions to help protect our oceans.”
With over 140 clubs nationally and over 198,000 members, Surf Life Saving Australia represents the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world, giving the initiative exceptional national reach and the potential for widespread environmental impact. Last year, over 40 SLSCs signed up to join the Take 3 for the Sea initiative of removing plastic pollution from Australia’s beaches. This season, with NCL’s support, the aim is to significantly better that number by encouraging surf lifesaving communities to commit to the movement and help reduce plastic pollution.
“Take 3 for the Sea is delighted to be partnering with NCL for the third consecutive year. We’ve gone from strength to strength with NCL’s cruise passengers participating in beach clean ups in Eden NSW, Melbourne and Fiji,” said Jenny-Lee Scharnboeck, CEO of Take 3 for the Sea. “This year we’re looking forward to creating an amazing impact with the SLSC community nationally. On average, approximately 700 items and 16 kilograms of rubbish is collected each clean-up, and with the reach of SLSCs from across all seven states of Australia, the potential impact on reducing marine pollution is enormous!”
(Pictured from left to right) Jenny-Lee Scharnboeck, CEO of Take 3 for the Sea; Sophie Thomson, long service member of the North Bondi Surf Live Saving Club; and Ben Angell, VP and Managing Director of NCL APAC
As part of this initiative, NCL will be engaging its local team members as well as its valued travel trade partners to jump into action to support this overall movement with long-lasting and far-reaching impacts.
“We are thrilled to evolve our partnership with Take 3 for the Sea and offer even more opportunities to empower our team and travel trade partners to make a real difference to the local environment,” added Damian Borg Director of Sales Strategy & Operations for APAC. “Not only is this initiative a natural extension of our NCL Cares philosophy, but our trade partners agree that initiatives around community, wellness and environment align with their personal values. We look forward to sharing further details on how our partners can get involved with us this summer.”
NCL’s involvement with Take 3 for the Sea builds upon its global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain, which is centred on making a positive impact on society and the environment while delivering even more exceptional travel experiences for its guests. With nearly 450 destinations worldwide, across its fleet of soon-to-be 20 ships, and offering more than 50 convenient homeports, NCL recognises that its business is inextricably linked to the preservation of the oceans and environment. To learn more about the company’s Sail & Sustain program, please visit www.nclhltd.com/stewardship.
For more information or to book a cruise with NCL, please contact a travel professional; call NCL in Australia on 1300 255 200 or in New Zealand on 0800 969 283; or visit www.ncl.com.
