Sustainable Cruise Destinations: Go Green While Traveling
When it comes to cruising, we all love the excitement of setting sail to beautiful destinations—but have you ever thought about the environmental impact of your vacation?
It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of planning, but the reality is that more and more travelers are asking, “How can I make my cruise more sustainable?” or “What’s the greenest way to cruise?”
It’s easy to feel stuck, but don’t worry. I’ve got you covered!
In this post, for the sake of April being Earth month, I’m going to break down how you can experience unforgettable cruise destinations without harming the planet. You’ll learn about eco-friendly cruises, sustainable ports, and how to be a responsible traveler on the high seas.
Ready to go green while cruising? Let’s dive in!
What is the perfect sustainable cruise for the eco-conscious traveler?
Sustainable cruising means choosing cruise options, ports, and activities that have minimal negative impact on the environment and support the local community. In other words:
Eco-conscious cruises aim to reduce pollution, protect marine life, and contribute positively to the destinations they visit.
The added benefit is that you’ll feel even better about your vacation, knowing you’re doing your part for the planet!
Choose Eco-Friendly Cruise Lines
Eco-friendly cruise lines prioritize sustainability by implementing practices like using cleaner fuel, reducing waste, and conserving water.
This is a crucial component because cruise ships can be major polluters. If we want to keep enjoying these beautiful voyages, we need to ensure that the ships we’re traveling on are doing their part to preserve the environment.
Many travelers start out thinking all cruises are the same, but that’s not the case. You may not realize that some cruise lines are more committed to sustainable practices than others. And if you’re not careful, you might end up choosing a line that doesn’t prioritize the environment.
The key to an eco-friendly cruise is researching cruise lines that are serious about sustainability. Start by looking for those with certifications like the “Green Marine” certification or ships that run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is cleaner than traditional fuels.
To get started, check out cruise lines like Hurtigruten, Virgin Voyages, and Celebrity Cruises that are known for their green initiatives. They offer eco-conscious cruises that let you enjoy your trip while respecting the planet!
Choose Sustainable Ports of Call
Sustainable ports focus on preserving the natural beauty and culture of their destinations while minimizing environmental impacts.
If you’ve spent hours researching cruise itineraries and picking the perfect destinations, but something still feels off—it could be the ports you’re visiting. Without this component, you can travel all over the world, but it’s still not enough to make your trip fully sustainable.
What can you do?
A really useful technique for sustainable travel is choosing ports of call that have made a commitment to eco-friendly tourism. This means visiting destinations that are actively working on conservation efforts, supporting local communities, and offering eco-friendly excursions.
Destinations like Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, and Alaska are leading the way when it comes to sustainable tourism. They have strict environmental regulations in place to protect their wildlife and ecosystems, so you can feel good about your visit.
Make sure to ask your cruise line about the sustainability efforts of the ports on your itinerary. Many cruise lines now partner with local communities to offer shore excursions that support conservation projects or local businesses that focus on sustainability.
Practice Eco-Friendly Habits Onboard
Eco-friendly habits onboard involve making conscious choices to reduce waste, conserve energy, and support sustainability efforts while cruising.
Here’s where you’ll really start to see your efforts come together to create a truly sustainable cruise experience.
Of course, being eco-conscious on a cruise requires a little extra effort. Consider reducing your use of plastic by bringing your reusable water bottle and shopping bags, or opting for digital tickets instead of printed ones.
The best part? Making small changes onboard can have a huge impact on the environment. Here’s the process you can use to practice eco-friendly habits during your cruise:
The first step: Bring your own reusable items like water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags.
Then: Opt for shore excursions that focus on conservation efforts or support local artisans and communities.
Finally: Reduce your carbon footprint by being mindful of energy consumption in your cabin. Switch off lights and appliances when not in use.
Once you’re done, you’ll be well on your way to cruising sustainably and feeling good about your trip!
Putting it All Together for Your Perfect Green Cruise
There you have it! The 3 things to make your perfect sustainable cruise.
It may sound like a lot at first, but like most things, practice makes perfect. Just focus on one thing at a time, like researching sustainable cruise lines, and then move to the next step. This will help you make eco-friendly travel decisions that not only help the planet but also give you peace of mind.
What’s next? Download My Free Sustainable Travel Guide.
If you need help getting started, my Sustainable Travel Guide will help you plan the perfect eco-friendly cruise, so you can feel good about your vacation and the planet.
