The company, which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, said it anticipated the strategy would led to the axing of more than 50 million plastic straws each year across its 26-ship fleet and two private islands, Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye.

NCLH is also working towards solutions that will mitigate plastic waste entering the ocean as part of its membership of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance and runs its own Sail & Sustain programme to provide “truly exceptional cruise vacation experiences…while minimizing its impact on the environment”.

Founded in 2012, the Trash Free Seas Alliance brings together leaders from industry, conservation and academia to create a platform for collaboration focused on the reduction of ocean waste.

Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, said: “Eliminating single-use plastic straws across our global fleet and island destinations builds on our global environmental program Sail & Sustain and further reduces our environmental footprint.

“As a member of the Trash Free Seas Alliance, we are committed to doing our part to protect the world’s oceans for future generations to enjoy.”