Seabourn Joins UNESCO In New Alliance For World Heritage Sites

Award-Winning Cruise Line to Host Experts, Create Excursions, Support Efforts

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Jun 16, 2014, 07:00 ET

SEATTLE, June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultra-luxury, small-ship cruise operator Seabourn has signed an agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in a unique alliance to help protect World Heritage. The partnership is being created to foster wider support and understanding in the travel industry and among travelers for UNESCO's mission of identifying, safeguarding and promoting unique cultural and natural features around the world deemed to possess universal value for all humankind. Seabourn has committed to raising $1 million for UNESCO as part of this multi-year agreement.

For Seabourn's guests, this alliance means that their travels on Seabourn's intimate, all-suite ships will be enhanced by deeper insight and behind-the-scenes information about current and future World Heritage sites and projects. Speakers with special knowledge about World Heritage will sail on Seabourn's ships as a part of the line's Seabourn Conversations enrichment and entertainment program. In addition, fares for Seabourn optional excursions that include UNESCO World Heritage Sites will include a small donation to UNESCO's World Heritage Fund. The company will also create special World Heritage Discovery Tours at a number of ports worldwide, with exclusive enhanced content on World Heritage.

"Seabourn is proud to be partnering with UNESCO to promote and support sustainable tourism," said Seabourn President Richard D. Meadows. "Through this partnership we are committed to providing our guests with a deeper appreciation and understanding of the many World Heritage sites we visit around the world and the important work UNESCO is doing."

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, commented, "With this partnership UNESCO and Seabourn truly demonstrate our shared commitment in safeguarding World Heritage by promoting sustainable tourism at these iconic destinations. The partnership enables us to reach the traveling public with our conservation message which is universal in scope and so important to the dialogue and mutual understanding that are needed to nurture a culture of peace."

Seabourn shares with its guests a genuine passion for exploring the world's most exceptional destinations. Year after year, the company provides its guests opportunities to experience one-of-a-kind treasures such as the temple complex of Borobudur on Java, the excavated ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. As completely different as these places are, they share a common attribute – they are all designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Since its founding, Seabourn has facilitated visits to hundreds of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and currently includes over 150 designated sites in its itineraries. Now it will also help to support UNESCO's efforts to expand, promote and preserve these precious global resources for future generations of travelers.

For additional information or reservations, please visit www.seabourn.com or call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391.

Notes to Editors:

Seabourn is consistently ranked among the world's top travel choices by professional critics and the discerning readers of prestigious travel publications such as Departures, Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler. Its stylish, distinctive cruising vacations are renowned for:

Five intimate ships with just 104 or 229 suites
Unique itineraries visiting must-see cities and hidden gems where larger ships cannot follow
Intuitive, gracious service provided by a staff passionate about pleasing our guests
Spacious all-suite accommodations with sweeping ocean views – many with verandas
Gourmet dining experiences as fine as the best restaurants anywhere
Open bars throughout the ship and fine wines poured with lunch and dinner

Seabourn is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line and Costa Cruises. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL andNYSE: CUK), and supports the Ocean Conservation & Tourism Alliance, dedicated to education and promotion of best practices for protecting the marine environment.

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SOURCE Seabourn