Cruises are not traditionally the most sustainable way to travel. Ships carrying thousands of people burn millions of gallons of gasoline to traverse destinations far and near, while endless dinner buffets result in tons of waste from food and garbage, which is often dumped into the water, causing pollution and endangering sea life. Their sheer size is greatly disruptive to nature as they travel to port.
But a new generation of cruise ships is flipping the script, providing eco-friendly travel to lively destinations with a focus on sustainability alongside fun and exploration. That means working with local artisans, eliminating single-use plastics, minimizing carbon footprints, focusing on environmentally friendly excursions and working to preserve and protect wildlife.
Safeguarding Sea Life
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Cruising the Pacific to the Galápagos Islands on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Flora boat is a peek into the future. The first-of-its-kind 100-guest ship was specifically created for cruising these islands. It features natural materials and doesn't drop anchor to maintain position, protecting sea life. Solar panels supplement electricity, and chocolates and bathroom supplies are locally sourced from Ecuador.
Alternative Power
Baie-Comeau, Quebec
Get off the Explora Journeys ship, which is primed for future eco-friendly power solutions, and go inside one of the world's largest hydropower hollow-joint gravity dams as it harnesses Earth's natural energy for Canada's power needs. The Manic-2 reservoir features a 440-ton generator and is home to the first 735,000-volt power line ever installed. It's a two-and-a-half-hour expedition that comes as an add-on to your cruise. On-the-water fun can be had courtesy of a sea kayak exploration of the St. Lawrence River with views of the Manicouagan Reservoir.
Carbon Cutter
Antarctica
All aboard the MS Roald Amundsen for a trip to the land of ice, snow and penguins via Hurtigruten Expeditions' hybrid-powered ship. Like a car, the ship's hybrid technology is designed to reduce fuel consumption, cutting carbon emissions by 20 percent. The cruise line encourages guests to view the icescape with a flexible itinerary to take advantage of the changing conditions at the South Pole.
Biodiversity at Sea
Brest, France to Reykjavík, Iceland
Voyages on this unique Ponant journey will enjoy five days at sea aboard the first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot, moving from France to Iceland. While onboard, environmental specialists share their knowledge of the polar regions via lectures and discussions.
In Full Sail
Cannes, France to Bridgetown, Barbados
The wind catches the 42 sails of Star Clippers' Royal Clipper vessel and propels it across the Atlantic Ocean, in emissions-free fashion. Don't let its heritage-inspired design fool you, this is a luxurious, weeks-long cruise complete with swimming pools and opportunities for water sports along the way. What can't be powered by wind is energized via low-sulphur gas oil.
Coastal Cruise
Norwegian Fjords
Cruisers who climb aboard a Havila Voyages ship to cruise up or down the Norwegian coast will be in for a sustainable treat. The longest trip is a 12-day, 34-port affair that stretches from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. The ships have large battery packs that provide four hours of emissions-free sailing and recharge via hydropower as the ship moves.
Women's Empowerment
Amman, Jordan
As part of Uniworld River Cruises' Splendors of Egypt and the Nile extension itinerary, guests can experience a day at the Iraq Al-Amir Women's Cooperative and help craft a project for three nights on land. The center is designed to give 150 Jordanian women from the Wadi Seer villages financial independence, raise their standard of living and preserve the heritage of the region. Back onboard, the cruise line has implemented various sustainability practices like relying on QR codes throughout, rather than paper menus and maps, and fitting windows with UV foil to reduce energy usage.
Low-Footprint Asia
Dubai to Singapore
Virgin Voyages is working toward net-zero carbon emissions for its ships. Its destinations are similarly climate focused. This 16-night journey takes you from Dubai to Mumbai, Goa, Colombo, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Excursions include low-carbon-footprint activities like cycling across an island, kayaking through a mangrove forest and a cooking class in a local home.
Cultural Exchange
Yokohama, Japan
Take a three-month, around-the-world cruise on Peace Boat's Pacific World and further the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and cross-cultural exchange both on- and offboard. Your voyage can include climate-change workshops onboard as well as planting trees and cleaning up beaches while on shore. Their forthcoming EcoShip, billed as the world's most sustainable cruise ship, will include retractable sails with solar panels and vertical farming.
Wind-Powered
Papeete, Tahiti
A multi-day Windstar sail around Tahiti on a wind-powered yacht allows for an intimate view of the South Pacific's natural surrounds. Crystal-clear waters primed for snorkeling, lightly treaded beaches and jungles await you. Book a private feast on the beach under the stars, complete with a fire show, to up the extraordinary level of this deep dive into Polynesian culture.
About the writer
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull leads the Autos team at Newsweek. She has written extensively about the auto industry for U.S. News & ... Read more
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