BPCL Eliminates Plastic Straws, Stirrers

Manatee Lagoon

(PRESS RELEASE)_Deerfield Beach, Fla., March 22, 2019 – Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, the only provider of daily, two-night cruises from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island, has announced it will no longer use plastic straws and stirrers on board its fleet – Grand Classica and Grand Celebration – and instead offer paper straws upon request. Rolled out in February 2019, this plan will translate to the removal of            at least 2 million straws and stirrers annually.

According to the UN over 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean each year, wreaking havoc on the marine wildlife, fisheries and tourism and costing at least $8 billion in damage to marine ecosystems.

As part of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s larger environmental initiative, the elimination of single-use plastics is one of several ecological efforts the Palm Beach-based cruise line offers – including providing guests with eco-adventure opportunities at Loggerhead Marinelife Center and Manatee Lagoon.

“By going straw-free, we are able to eliminate a substantial amount of plastic waste from entering the ocean,” shares Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line CEO Oneil Khosa. “Our commitment is to not only provide guests with a great experience but also offer sustainably responsible practices that reduce the footprint of our cruise ships.”

In addition to moving away from single-use plastics, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has partnered with two of Palm Beach’s leading wildlife centers to offer guests fun ecological adventures with an educational twist. Guests can choose from two Eco-Discovery Tours – Pre-Sail or Post-Sail – which both offer tours of the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and Manatee Lagoon.

The Manatee Lagoon, a Florida Power and Light (FPL) Eco-Discovery Center, showcases South Florida’s manatees and their fragile ecosystem. The center is dedicated to educating the public about these gentle giants and inspiring the community to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations.

The second stop in each package is the family-friendly Loggerhead Marinelife Center, which specializes in the rehabilitation of sea turtles. The center features an outdoor turtle hospital and exhibit hall, which cruise guests can explore with a special behind-the-gate tour. Guests will also be able to meet some of the hospital’s charming turtles as they learn about the center’s impactful conservation efforts.

In addition to the two wildlife centers, the Post-Sail tour also includes lunch at the waterfront Marina Village, kayaking or paddleboarding around Peanut Island and the opportunity to snorkel in the Lake Worth Lagoon. Both the Pre-Sail and Post-Sail packages offer the perfect beginning or ending to a memorable Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line cruise experience.

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