An Introduction To Our Environmental Goals
Although the environmental impact of the cruise industry is largely out of our hands we do see a clear role for us to inform and empower you with all the information you need to make an environmentally informed decision when booking your next cruise. The summaries are taken from the material we’ve received directly from the Cruise Lines themselves, press releases, and their most recent sustainability reports. Whilst all three are somewhat different in the way they describe their environmental goals and progress to date, the similarities are striking. As all three have adopted CLIA emission targets, and wider maritime and tourism sustainability protocols this is to be expected. The sheer volume of initiatives and the complexity involved makes this a difficult area to digest for even experts in sustainable tourism. This, together with the growing concern over the environmental impact of the cruise industry, we feel it is important to communicate this information to you so you have the ability to make a real difference. The following page summarises the main environmental goals and progress to date of the three largest Cruise Line Groups - Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and NCL.
Carnival Corporation
Overall Carbon Footprint Achieve a 20% carbon intensity reduction relative to 2019 baseline (which will be measured in both grams of CO2 e per ALB-km and kilograms of CO2 e per ALBD) by 2030. Carnival Corporation has already achieved a 50% reduction in absolute particulate matter air emissions, relative to their 2015 baseline. Fuel Technology Have 11 LNG-powered cruise ships as part of the Carnival Corporation fleet by 2025. Eight LNG-powered ships are currently in operation. Advanced Air Quality Systems Continue to optimise the reach and performance of their Advanced Air Quality Systems (AAQS) scheme. To date, 93% of Carnival Corporation’s non-LNG fleet is equipped with this technology. Shore Power Aim to increase fleet shore power connection capability to 60%. Currently, 57% of Carnival Corporation’s fleet has shore power connection capability. Waste Management Reduced food waste, per person, by 31% in 2022. Carnival Corporation has also reduced their use of single-use plastics by 50%, in 2021. By 2030, Carnival Corporation aims to reduce food waste, per person, by a further 50%. Water Efficiency Continue to grow coverage of Advanced Water Treatment System to >75% of the Carnival Corporation fleet. As of 2022, Carnival Corporation has been able to cover 64% of its fleet capacity with the Advanced Water Treatment System. In addition, 87% of water needs are sourced from the ocean, with only 13% purchased at designated ports. Click here to find out more about Carnival Corporation's environmental goals and progress.
Royal Caribbean Group
Overall Carbon Footprint
Committed to reducing carbon intensity by double digits, from 2019 baseline, by 2025. Royal-owned wind farms will produce offsets equal to 10% to 12% of their emissions per annum. Fuel Technology
Next-generation Royal ships, Icon-Class, that utilise LNG and fuel cell technologies, have started to launch. The first ship in this new class, Icon of the Seas, set sail for the first time in 2024. Shore Power Systems
Twenty ships in the fleet (including ships from joint ventures) are equipped with shore power connectivity. Additional retrofits are planned as more ports add shore power capabilities. Sustainable Sourcing
Committed to sourcing 90% Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified wild-caught seafood, by 2025. Royal has already achieved its goal of sourcing 75% Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) farm-raised seafood.
In addition, Royal is working to source other sustainable products, including cage-free eggs. Circular Economy
Reduced solid waste to landfill by 91% from 2007 baseline and reduced use of single-use plastic by 60%. Royal also uses more green hubs for recycling and energy recapture. Water and Wastewater
Produced 94% of freshwater utilised onboard (excluding Silversea Cruises ships, which are due to integrate). Additionally, currently, 92% of ships within Royal’s fleet are now equipped with Advanced Wastewater Purification Systems.
Click here to find out more about Royal Caribbean Group's environmental goals and progress.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Overall Carbon Footprint Committed to reducing greenhouse gas intensity by 25%, by 2030. In the short term, NCL aims to reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 10%, by 2026. Fuel Efficiency Investing in two Methanol-Ready newbuild ships are now on order, for delivery in 2027-2028. Additionally, 70% of operational capacity, or 15 ships, are now fitted with Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems. Shore Power Systems
Currently, 12 ships within the fleet are equipped with cold ironing capabilities, and seven new builds on order will be equipped with such capabilities. Aiming to increase the percentage of the total fleet with shore power capabilities to 70% by 2025. Single-Use Plastics Eliminated the use of single-use plastic water bottles and plastic straws across three brands. Sustainable Sourcing
Approximately 70% of purchased chickens meet Global Animal Partnership or similar welfare standards. Additionally in 2022, 47% of total U.S. supply chain spend was with small or diverse businesses. Water and Waste Water 100% of ships are fitted with Advanced Wastewater Purification systems. Over 90% of water was produced onboard ships.
Click here to find out more about NCL's environmental goals and progress.
Click the links below to read even more information from the cruise lines about their sustainability goals: Carnival Corp. 2022 Sustainability Report Royal Caribbean Group Seastainability 2022 Report MSC Cruises Sustainability Report 2022 NCL Sail & Sustain 2022 Report