Ocean Quest Online

An important factor to consider when picking a cruise line is the environmental impact of the trip. Thanks to increased education about the importance of being environmentally respectful, many cruise lines are doing their best to protect the great bodies of water which are the foundation of their industry.One cruise line which made the news for its excellent practices is Celebrity Cruises, voted number one in “Green Practices” by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Over the last two years, the line has incorporated solar technology into each one of its Solstice Class ships, averaging around 200 solar panels per ship. The Celebrity Solstice, launched in November 2008, also represented innovative hull design, as it was designed to achieve the most energy-efficient result. The company’s previous ships, as well as many still being built by other companies, are built around the guest spaces instead, often sacrificing energy for easiness. Each Solstice ship built since 2008 has followed the flagship’s example.The hulls of the Solstice ships (and some others in the line) are coated with a special silicon material that reduces friction and improves fuel consumption. This material also keeps sea creatures from living on the hull, and protects the paint from chipping off into the sea. Even the bathrooms on the ship offer energy efficiency: Advanced Wastewater Purification (AWP) systems are installed on each ship with the Celebrity name, returning wastewater to drinking-level quality before discharging it. In addition, the showers use innovative filters to conserve water by mixing in air.While it would be easy to continue discussing Celebrity’s environmental practices, there are other companies also doing their part. For example, Royal Caribbean International has made a heavy commitment to recycling and energy conservation. To accomplish the first, RCI installed fluorescent lamp-crushers in its hazardous waste-systems to separate glass, mercury, and metal on the ship. RCI also recycles lead, lithium, and mercury in its battery program, and has replaced its lights with LED and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).Holland America Line is a leader in preventing pollution. An Environmental Officer is installed on board each ship to oversee the Environmental Management System. HAL treats its bilge water before discharge in two separate systems, and started the “Avoiding Whale Strikes” program to help protect marine animals.Princess Cruises has a “zero solid waste discharge policy.” To this end, it incinerates all solid waste onboard or once back on shore. The line replaced plastic materials on the ship with biodegradable materials where feasible, and includes a Coast Guard-certified biological treatment plant on each of its ships.It’s clear that many cruise lines are stepping up to their responsibility to be stewards of the sea. When planning your trip, make sure to keep such environmental considerations in mind.

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