Porthole Cruise News Briefs -Jan. 12, 2018

• Ultra-luxury line Silversea has partnered with ORCA, a leading marine conservation charity, bringing conservationists on board to collect critical sightings data of whales, dolphins and porpoises while sharing insights about marine life. “This partnership will allow us to reach parts of the world we have never visited,” says Lucy Babey, ORCA Head of Science and Conservation.
• Princess Cruises has announced its third show produced in collaboration with Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz: The Secret Silk. The Oscar-, Tony-, and Grammy-winning composer has teamed up with Tony-nominated director John Tartaglia to create a contemporary Asian folktale using music, dance, visual effects, and puppetry – including life-sized puppets from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
• River operator AmaWaterways has announced a 2-year sponsorship of Places to Love, travel expert Samantha Brown’s new public television show. “Now is the perfect time for us to align with Samantha, as we look to expand our reach and connect with new types of travelers, with varying interests, from around the world,” says line co-owner Kristin Karst.
• Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is advancing breast-cancer research with a 2-night Cruise for the Cure departing January 20, 2018. Book an oceanview stateroom and receive a “Perfect Pink” cocktail on boarding, a special Susan G. Komen gift bag, a $1,000 savings certificate, as well as opportunities to learn more about ways to support the Komen organization. The line will donate $100 per cabin to various local charities, with 75 percent of funds raised going to breast-cancer needs in South Florida.
• The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection celebrates a milestone with the keel-laying of its inaugural yacht. The ceremony, which included the lowering of the first ship module into the building dock and the welding of coins to the hull, took place at the Hijos De J. Barreras Shipyard. The new ship should launch in late 2019.