This week MSC Orchestra embarked on its fourth voyage in southern African waters for 2022, a seven-night themed cruise from Cape Town to Marion Island, an island in the Southern Ocean that is home to more than two million seabirds, including 50% of the world population of the iconic Wandering Albatross. MSC Cruises is partnering with BirdLife South Africa, a bird conservation organisation, on this Flock to Marion 2022 voyage. The money earned by BirdLife South Africa from the cruise will be used to support bird conservation work, including the Mouse-Free Marion Project. The aim of this project is to eradicate invasive mice from the island, as they are wreaking havoc on its seabirds, killing hundreds of thousands every year.
Ross Volk, Managing Director, MSC Cruises South Africa, said, “We at MSC Cruises South Africa are excited to be hosting BirdLife South Africa and its members for the third time, and proud to be associated with an organisation which conserves South Africa’s birds and their habitats. Our themed cruises always offer something special to our guests, and this cruise is a one-of-a-kind in southern African seas, as it will allow birders and nature-enthusiasts to see birds in this remote part of the planet. We have created a special itinerary for the 1500 birders onboard, which includes spending time sailing near the island and allow the passengers to view the spectacular diversity and number of seabirds that frequent this area. This is the first time that this Flock to Marion cruise will be sailing from Cape Town and ending in Durban. Conservation is close to the heart of MSC Cruises, another example being our MSC Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas, which was a former sand extraction site that we cleared debris from, as well as rehabilitating the marine life to make it a pristine private island.”
Marion Island, the destination of this week’s MSC Orchestra cruise, is a sub-Antarctic island of volcanic origin. This South African island is located 1 920 km south-east of Cape Town. Marion Island has been declared a Special Nature Reserve, the highest form of protection in South Africa. Over 30 different species of birds breed on this cold and windy island.
Mark Anderson, CEO of BirdLife South Africa, said, “Marion Island is a critical conservation area, and has been designated an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International because of its significant seabird breeding population. This cruise onboard the MSC Orchestra gives birders a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see many South African birds, including three species that are only found on the island. There are 40 specialist bird guides who will assist with the spotting and identification of the seabirds, whales and other animals.
Because conservation is such a focus for us at BirdLife South Africa, as well as for MSC Cruises, we are also raising money during this voyage for the Mouse-Free Marion project, which is aimed at eradicating the invasive mice from the island. These mice were unintentionally introduced to the island about two centuries ago, presumably through docked ships offloading supplies. They prey on nesting seabirds, and so are a major threat to Marion Island’s birdlife. Once this project is completed, it will be a world record for South Africa: the largest ever island from which mice will have been successfully eradicated in a single operation.”
For guests who want to take a break from birding on the decks, the cruise will feature a series of lectures by several of the world’s top conservationists, seabird experts, and marine mammal specialists. Guests will also be able to experience the variety that life onboard MSC Orchestra has to offer, including a theatre, casino, spa, gym, restaurants, a nightclub, and live entertainment.
