Calls for speed limits in Alaska after pregnant whale found on the bow of Royal Caribbean ship

A dead pregnant fin whale discovered on the bow of Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas has sparked renewed calls for cruise ship speed restrictions in Alaska. The endangered animal sustained blunt force trauma consistent with vessel collision, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration investigation. Environmental groups, including the Centre for Biological Diversity, are demanding mandatory 10-knot speed limits for cruise ships operating in Alaskan waters. Ship strikes represent the leading cause of whale deaths in the region, particularly affecting vulnerable species including fin, blue, and North Pacific right whales. The incident mirrors an earlier case involving MSC Meraviglia striking an endangered Sei whale off Brooklyn. Advocates argue vessel speed directly correlates with both strike probability and fatality rates. Alaska's summer cruise season coincides with peak whale migration, amplifying collision risks during peak tourism months.

Originally reported by Cruise Passenger Australia, Tallis Boerne Marcus (June 29, 2026).