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Picture this: you’re leaning over the railing of a ship, an exciting new island or mountain or country in the distance while you enjoy a beautiful deck and poolside experience. The catch? You’re burning gallons of fuel, maximizing your carbon footprint, and dumping harmful chemicals into the ocean. So, are cruises eco-friendly ever? The answer: sometimes. Here’s how to enjoy a cruise while having minimal impact on the environment!
Now, we’re not ones to judge. In fact, we all know that it’s hard to travel while also being environmentally conscious, and many of us don’t do it on purpose. But as climate change continues to become more severe, it’s increasingly important to find eco-friendly ways to accomplish everything we want to do and see.
Are Cruises Eco-Friendly? Tips for Finding the Best Cruise
Research Your Options
While we’d like to believe that all cruise ships are magical places where only good things happen, here’s a hard truth: many cruise ships are very damaging to the environment. In addition to burning a lot of fuel (a large ship may burn up to 250 tons of fuel daily), the ships also do a lot of damage to marine life. From releasing sewage that sickens the wildlife population to sending oily and greasy, polluted water into the ocean, there are many different environmental concerns surrounding cruise ships.
So, before you decide to book with a particular cruise company, research their reputation. Many companies have environmental policies posted on their websites, which you can review. If you have any questions, reach out to the company and ask them! Further, you’ll want to see if they have any environmental regulation violations on their record. Unfortunately, cruise companies sometimes skirt around regulations in order to do things faster or in a less expensive manner.
Use Responsible Platforms
Fortunately, some platforms help you find eco-friendly cruise options! Here are just a few of our favorites:
- Expedia: Lists a variety of vacation package deals, including green options.
- Responsible Travel: They list eco-friendly cruise trips.
- Sustainable Travel International: Gives you resources and recommendations for eco-friendly travel.
- GreenCruiseFinder.com: Gives you sustainable cruise options.
See If They Have Certificates and Accreditations
Fortunately, some environmental activists have incentivized cruse lines to commit to having environmentally-friendly trips. So, look for the following certificates and accreditations when booking your trip:
- Green Marine Certification: This certification acknowledges a company’s commitment to protecting the environment.
- Travelife Certified: This is a certification for sustainable travel companies.
Find Ships with Eco-Friendly Features
Every cruise ship company should be able to speak to the eco-friendliness of their ships. But of course, no company is going to outright say that their ships are harming the environment! So, here are some eco-friendly features to look for:
- Low-Emission Engines: Hybrid or LNG-powered ships tend to use less emissions, reducing their carbon footprint.
- Waste Management Systems: Advanced recycling, minimized single-use plastics, and water treatment ensure the whole ship does not contaminate the earth more than necessary.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Companies that source food from eco-conscious supply chains (Holland America uses eco-friendly fish sourcing) and use food grown locally at their ports are more sustainable.
- Shore Power Use: Plugging into local grids while in port cuts down on unnecessary fuel.
Avoid Big Ships and Opt for Smaller Ones
The larger the ship, the bigger the carbon footprint. This is almost inevitable, given that having more people and items onboard puts a greater strain on getting from one part of the world to another, even if the ship otherwise follows regulations. So, if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, opt for smaller cruise ships (which can still be just as luxurious!).
Look for Offset Programs
Just like some airlines, cruise companies may offer carbon offset programs. When you take part of these programs, you help reverse your contribution to environmental destruction while on the cruise ship. So, you can travel guilt-free!
Bon Voyage!
No matter where you decide to sail off to, answering the question, “Are cruises eco-friendly, and how can I book an eco-friendly cruise?” helps you make smarter travel choices. Ready to set sail? Take a look at this checklist first!
