78 pilot whales were killed in front of cruise ship docked in the Faroe Islands Passengers of the Ambassador Cruise Line had just arrived in the Faroe Islands when a group of small boats drove the whales to shallow water for killing, part of a long-standing local tradition.

In July 2023, a significant event occurred in the Faroe Islands where approximately 78 pilot whales were killed in front of cruise passengers docked in Tórshavn. The passengers, traveling on an Ambassador Cruise Line ship, witnessed a "grindadráp" (traditional whale hunt) occurring in the harbor area. This incident led to a formal apology from the cruise line to its guests and sparked a renewed global debate about the intersection of local traditions and international tourism. In early 2026, reports indicate that whale hunting continues in the territory, with recent hunts in June 2025 recording hundreds of pilot whales taken. While the Faroe Islands maintain that the hunt is a sustainable and vital part of their local culture, cruise operators have increasingly adjusted their itineraries or issued warnings to passengers to avoid similar direct encounters during the "grind" season.