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Viewing Caribbean Cruises for Today's Eco-Conscious TravelerCaribbean Cruises for Today's Eco-Conscious Traveler
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Tourism is responsible for many of the problems in areas with precious ecosystems, but finding great cruise deals doesn't mean you have to compromise on being considerate. This article explains how cruise companies are embracing eco-friendly tourism. By Claire Collins With the beautiful far-off shores favored by cruises, it's more important than ever to consider the impact of your visit to places likely to be home to exotic and endangered marine and plant life. Even Caribbean cruises make considerable efforts to protect their coastal ecosystems. With airlines offering carbon offsetting programs to ease the guilt of eco-conscious flyers, the dedication and standard of the world's leading cruise lines is increasingly impressive when it comes to environmental management. With many cruise lines more aware than ever about the impact of their ships at sea and at port, you can head off to exotic corners of the world with a clean conscience about your carbon footprint. Tourism is responsible for a lot of the problems in areas with precious ecosystems, but finding great cruise deals doesn't mean you have to compromise on being considerate. At port, some cruises offer beach clean-up activities and wildlife spotting excursions, which are great and fun ways to get actively involved with - and educated about- the issues concerning the places you're visiting. The concept of luxury cruises being 'eco-friendly' may seem a little far-fetched, but with modern ships containing the sort of facilities and populations of a small town, you'll be pleasantly surprised at some of the green initiatives on board to minimize the environmental impact of your holiday, and of the ship itself. Many of the world's largest cruise companies have voluntarily signed up to meet the strict standards set by the Cruise Lines International Association. These eco-conscious companies follow programs for recycling wastewater, coastal conservation practice, and energy-saving. If you're after cruise deals to destinations famed for their unique ecology, such as Australia or the Caribbean, the Holland America Line leads the way when it comes to environmental responsibility. Being accredited for exceeding international standards since 2006, Holland America's environmental management plan covers almost every operation on their ships. You can enjoy Caribbean cruises safe in the knowledge that simple innovations like low-flow showers and non-toxic cleaning supplies are helping to minimize the impact of your holiday. To make better use of fuel, tide schedules are studied and voyages are planned with these in mind. Ships are coated in silicone paint, which makes setting sail smoother and more efficient than in older liners. Cabin windows are treated in a dark film to keep interiors cool without the use of air conditioning systems, and this was one of the first cruise lines to start a towel reuse policy. Changes like these are making big differences to the amount of energy and resources used by cruises, and are setting standards for large ships across the world. Carnival Cruises have stopped disposing of waste material at sea in favor of recycling, incineration, or offloading at port. Some ships deal with grey water from sinks, pools, and showers with state-of-the art water purification systems, and on board water quality monitoring equipment allows ocean liners to help contribute to local environmental initiatives of the destinations visited. Since 1992, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines have been improving their environmental protection policies, with a strong focus on waste management. Their staff and specially trained environmental managers are on board to educate staff and guests about limiting waste, and to encourage responsible use and disposal. Their ships have recently been redesigned with a more streamlined hull shape and state-of-the-art propulsion systems, helping to maximize fuel efficiency. Small on-board changes to features like lighting, heating, and cooling are having ongoing positive effects on energy consumption too. About the Author: Claire Collins works in the travel industry and writes articles based on the best deals for cruises, including Caribbean cruises and great cruise deals on RTW itineraries. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) |
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