Royal Caribbean has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to sustainability within the cruise industry, actively implementing a range of initiatives to diminish its environmental footprint and champion responsible tourism. Read on to dive into five of Royal Caribbean’s key sustainability practices:

This post was originally written and posted on the Royal Caribbean Blog on April 21^st, 2023.

5 WAYS ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRACTICES SUSTAINABILITY

Conserving heat from engines, producing fresh water and reducing single-use plastics are just some of the initiatives that go on behind the scenes.

One of the many reasons to take a cruise is the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of both the oceans and destinations around the world, from the cool waters and wilderness of Alaska to the warm Caribbean Sea and its idyllic islands.

These wonders depend on the environment, which is why Royal Caribbean has spent decades protecting the destinations you visit and the communities that call them home. The best part? Your vacations can be as responsible as they are memorable.

It all started more than 30 years ago with a recycling program called Save the Waves. That’s now grown to involve partnerships with experts like World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and innovations to use, conserve and repurpose energy and reduce emissions, waste management and more. Although these efforts mostly go on behind the scenes, what you’ll find “under the hood” are many features and initiatives on both Royal Caribbean’s ships and private destinations, like Perfect Day at CocoCay,

Credit: Royal Caribbean

ENERGY

From entertainment venues that span four “stages”—air, ice, theater and water—like the signature AquaTheater, where there’s high diving, slacklining, 3D flying and more, to adventures never seen before on land or at sea—like the North Star observation capsule that offers unrivaled 360-degree views of the world below—innovations run the gamut on Royal Caribbean ships. They include sustainable features, too.

When it comes to sustainability—including all the ways energy is used, conserved and repurposed—the smallest details matter. That’s why Royal Caribbean uses energy-efficient appliances, LED and fluorescent lights and an air lubrication system that allows ships to float on air. Icon of the Seas—which will be Royal Caribbean’s most sustainable ship to date when it sets sail in January 2024—as well as Wonder and Odyssey are also all shore-power ready, meaning they can plug into local power grids, reducing emissions by replacing the need to use fuel every time they’re in town.

Icon will also be the brand’s first ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fuel cell technology. LNG is considered the cleanest-burning marine fuel available and fuel cells (like a battery pack for your laptop or in your mobile phone—but a lot bigger!) generate power without producing any pollutants…

To read further, please visit the Royal Caribbean website. 😊