Ahead of World Oceans Day on June 8, On Water Expeditions is stepping up its sustainability commitment with a comprehensive review of its expedition travel supply chain to identify practical opportunities to reduce single-use plastics and food-related waste.

A survey launching this month across vessels, accommodation providers and local suppliers will establish a clear baseline of current practices. 

• Percentage of partners still providing non-reusable plastic bottles to guests
• Percentage of partners actively implementing reusable alternatives
• Percentage of partners with food waste reduction initiatives in place
• Percentage of partners offering at least 25% plant-based menu options

Supporting the 2026 World Ocean Day theme, One Ocean, One Climate, One Future – Together, the initiative is designed as a collaborative exercise rather than an audit, recognising that partners are at different stages of their sustainability journey and helping identify challenges, opportunities and areas where additional support may be beneficial.

On Water Expeditions, the newest division of the World Expeditions Travel Group, offers immersive boat-based journeys to some of the world’s most remarkable waterways, from the marine sanctuaries in Palau to the glacial wonderland of the Canadian Arctic. Working with more than 25 carefully selected expedition cruise partners, the brand prioritises operators that share its commitment to responsible tourism, environmental stewardship and continuous sustainability improvement. By engaging its network of partners in this review, On Water Expeditions aims to better understand the collective environmental impact of its expedition travel supply chain and identify opportunities for meaningful change.

"Meaningful sustainability action starts with understanding where impacts occur. By working together with our partners, we can identify practical opportunities to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and support a more sustainable future for expedition cruising," said Donna Lawrence, Global Sustainability & Impact Manager for the World Expeditions Travel Group.

Through the World Expeditions Foundation's Regenerative Travel 2030 program, the group also supports conservation initiatives designed to protect vulnerable marine habitats and species while strengthening local stewardship of coastal environments. Projects delivered and funded to date include Risso's Dolphin Satellite Tagging in Portugal, initiatives combating plastic waste in Bali river systems, and Ecuador's Waves of Change program, which supports ocean education and marine stewardship for future generations.

"Our travellers want experiences that connect them to the natural world, and increasingly they want to know their travel choices are supporting positive outcomes for the environments they visit," said Sue Badyari, CEO of World Expeditions Travel Group. "Plastic pollution and food waste are challenges that affect oceans and waterways around the world, and World Oceans Day is an important reminder that protecting these environments requires collective action. By working closely with our operators and suppliers, we're identifying practical ways to reduce waste throughout the traveller journey. Small changes, applied consistently, can make a tangible difference."