by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 2:15 PM ET, Tue June 9, 2026
MSC Foundation and MSC Cruises are launching a new onboard program designed to help children and families better understand, celebrate and care for the ocean.
Called Oceans Day, the initiative is designed around three core pillars: celebrating the ocean on every cruise, placing children and families at the center of the experience and fostering ocean literacy. It draws on the MSC Foundation’s years of collaboration with conservation and education partners, combining lessons from its restoration work at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas with the expertise of organizations such as Mission Blue and Marevivo.
“Education is fundamental to long-term ocean conservation,” says Daniela Picco, executive director of MSC Foundation. “We believe that if you know the sea, you protect it—everything starts from there. By helping children and families build a deeper connection with the ocean, we hope to foster curiosity, responsibility and a lifelong commitment to caring for the marine world.”
The programming is being developed together with MSC Cruises’ Entertainment team and will be progressively rolled out across the MSC Cruises fleet. Children ages 3 to 17 will be invited to take part in a range of interactive experiences, including “Everybody loves the Sea,” an original song developed with a children’s choir, games and quizzes, creative workshops, drawing activities and conservation challenges.
Guests will also be encouraged to make personal pledges to protect the ocean through the “My Wish for the Ocean” initiative and receive an Ocean Ambassador Passport filled with practical actions to continue at home. The experience culminates in a celebratory parade.
“Through Oceans Day, MSC Cruises is proud to help bring MSC Foundation’s ocean education mission to life onboard, creating meaningful shared experiences that encourage children to better understand and care for the ocean,” says Matteo Mancini, family entertainment development director at MSC Cruises.
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