Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean’s Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly?
Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Sailing Green: How Cruise Lines Are Reducing Their Environmental Impact
Reducing environmental impact has become a major focus for the cruise industry in recent years. With climate change and sustainability concerns growing globally, cruise lines are taking steps to operate their massive ships in a greener, more eco-friendly manner.
One key area of focus has been upgrading to cleaner ship fuels. Many lines have started using liquefied natural gas (LNG) which produces significantly lower emissions compared to traditional maritime fuels. Royal Caribbean's new Icon class ships will be powered by LNG, reducing sulfur oxide emissions by 98% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 85%. Rival Carnival Corporation has also committed to an LNG future, with plans to build 11 next-gen LNG ships by 2025.
Beyond fuel, new technologies are being implemented for further emissions reductions. Scrubbers can remove major air pollutants from engine exhaust. Advanced wastewater treatment systems allow for environmentally safe discharge. And optimized hull designs and air lubrication systems decrease drag and fuel consumption.
Cruise ships require huge amounts of energy to power all their amenities and facilities. So lines are increasingly moving to shore power, plugging into local electrical grids while docked. This allows engines to be turned off, eliminating idling emissions. Ports across the world are being upgraded to provide shore power compatibility.
Sustainability efforts extend to all aspects of cruise operations. Low-flow plumbing fixtures reduce water usage, while reverse osmosis produces clean water efficiently. Plastics are being minimized with reusable bottles and bulk dispensers. And comprehensive recycling programs ensure little ends up in the ocean.
While cruise ships will never be carbon neutral, the implementation of multiple initiatives can add up to meaningful progress. Royal Caribbean's Icon class aims to be 40% more energy efficient than previous designs. With other cruise lines undertaking similar efforts, the industry is demonstrating a commitment to reducing environmental impacts.
What else is in this post?
- Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Sailing Green: How Cruise Lines Are Reducing Their Environmental Impact
- Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Water Conservation At Sea: Low-Flow Fixtures and Reduced Water Usage
- Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Clean Fuels and New Technologies: LNG Propulsion and Emissions Reduction
- Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Feeding the Masses Sustainably: Farm-to-Table Dining and Reduced Food Waste
- Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Rethinking Plastics: Reusable Water Bottles and Fewer Single-Use Items
- Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Shore Power: Plugging In at Port to Reduce Engine Use
- Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Towards Zero Waste: Comprehensive Recycling and Reuse Programs
Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Water Conservation At Sea: Low-Flow Fixtures and Reduced Water Usage
With thousands of passengers and crew onboard, cruise ships require massive amounts of water on a daily basis. From lavatories and showers to galleys and pools, the volumes used are enormous. This results in a major environmental impact as substantial energy is needed to produce potable water at sea. Thankfully, cruise lines are taking steps to significantly reduce water usage through low-flow plumbing fixtures and conservation initiatives.
Newer ships are being equipped with the latest water-saving technologies throughout. Low-flow showerheads and tap aerators reduce flow while maintaining pressure. Modern toilets flush efficiently with just 1.28 gallons per flush compared to over 3 gallons on older models. Flow restrictors are installed on sinks, while automatic shutoff sensors prevent taps from being left on accidentally. Even laundry operations are optimized to reuse wash water multiple times.
Beyond hardware upgrades, simple changes in operation can also make a difference. Some cruise lines have shortened or eliminated automatic towel changes, instead encouraging guests to reuse them. Shutting down pools and hot tubs during quiet hours also conserves water. And reducing sink flow in public restrooms decreases waste without impacting the user experience.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the cruise industry reduced water consumption per person by 5.3% between 2011 and 2016. With ships getting bigger, total volumes used have increased, so efficiency is key. An Oasis-class vessel can generate over 5 million gallons of fresh water daily through advanced reverse osmosis plants. Using every drop wisely preserves limited resources.
While regulations on legal marine discharge exist, avoiding pumping wastewater overboard remains an imperative. Onboard water treatment facilities ensure grey and black water can be safely cleaned for reuse in non-potable applications. Any excess is discharged responsibly in line with all environmental laws.
No vessel operates in isolation. Cruise ships replenish supplies at ports around the world, so destination facilities must also be considered. Many terminals are upgrading to low-flow plumbing and drought-tolerant landscaping to align with cruise line efforts on the ships themselves. Port communities are also being engaged to improve local infrastructure and spread awareness.
Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Clean Fuels and New Technologies: LNG Propulsion and Emissions Reduction
Reducing ship emissions is crucial for cruise lines seeking to lessen their environmental impact. Maritime fuels have long been dirty, producing high levels of harmful pollutants like sulfur oxides and particulate matter. But the emergence of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel source is enabling a cleaner future for cruising.
LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to liquid form for storage and transportation. When regasified and used in engines, it offers major advantages over traditional bunker fuel. According to Carnival Corporation, LNG reductions are compelling – sulfur oxides down 98%, nitrogen oxides down 85%, and particulate matter down 95%. LNG also emits 20% less carbon dioxide.
These cuts in emissions will only grow in impact as more tonnage transitions to LNG power. Royal Caribbean's upcoming Icon class will run on LNG, as will new ships arriving soon for Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and P&O Cruises UK. Industry leader Carnival Corporation alone has committed to building 11 next-generation LNG cruise ships by 2025.
Implementing LNG does come with challenges, as it requires major investments in engine systems, fuel storage and bunkering infrastructure. But the long-term benefits make it worth the costs. Ports are increasingly offering LNG bunkering facilities, allowing ships to refuel efficiently.
Beyond LNG, cruise lines are also adopting new technologies to further reduce the environmental impact of engine operations. Advanced air quality systems like scrubbers strip major pollutants like sulfur oxides from exhaust streams. And technologies like Selective Catalytic Reduction use a urea-based fluid to convert nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water.
Wastewater treatment has improved tremendously too. The newest AWWPS systems from Wärtsilä allow treated water to be so clean that it can be reused in applications like deck washing. This reduces overall water intake needs.
Optimized hull designs, air lubrication systems and strengthened propellers also boost hydrodynamic efficiency. This decreases fuel consumption and emissions. Data analytics enables engine operations to be fine-tuned for maximum efficiency.
Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Feeding the Masses Sustainably: Farm-to-Table Dining and Reduced Food Waste
With thousands of mouths to feed across multiple restaurants, food operations on a cruise ship are monumental. Giant galleys churn out dishes around the clock to satisfy appetites poolside and in dining rooms. But all this volume leads to major waste - up to 115 pounds per person on a 7-day cruise by some estimates. Thankfully sustainability initiatives focused on farm-to-table dining and waste reduction are making progress.
Cruise chefs now strive to cook close to the source, building relationships with farmers, ranchers and fishermen at popular ports of call. Locally-sourced ingredients are incorporated into menus, reducing the carbon footprint of transport while providing seasonal dishes and regional specialties passengers crave. Carnival Cruise Line has led the charge, sourcing over 93,500 lbs of fresh, local fish, produce, beef and other items from ports in Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. Food and beverage managers at Holland America Line estimate that buying local cuts emissions by 89%.
Waste avoidance starts right when food is delivered. Advanced storage techniques like vacuum packing help extend shelf life. Flash freezing preserves freshness, while portion control and cooking-to-order reduces spoilage from bulk batches sitting out. Operational changes have an impact too - waiving formal dress codes cuts laundry needs and not forcing guests to choose entrées beforehand decreases unused prepped ingredients.
Thoughtful repurposing is another key tactic. Leftover bread becomes croutons, vegetables become stocks, and ugly but still edible produce gets featured in daily specials. Anything unserved is donated if possible. Royal Caribbean sends surplus provisions to food banks at ports of call via its Food Recovery Network. And discretionary options like Lobster Night are adjusted based on appetite trends to limit excess.
On the guest side, portion sizes are designed appropriately and sharing is encouraged to cut down on uneaten plates. Signage reminds cruisers they can always ask for more. For its parts, MSC Cruises has boosted its complimentary buffet but started charging a fee for unlimited dining to discourage food waste.
Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Rethinking Plastics: Reusable Water Bottles and Fewer Single-Use Items
Plastics pose one of the biggest sustainability challenges for cruise lines. The sheer scale of operations demands massive amounts of single-use plastics for water bottles, to-go cups, utensils, straws and packaging. With thousands of passengers cycling through weekly, these volumes add up fast. But forward-thinking cruise operators are rethinking plastics across their fleets. Reusable water bottles and reduced single-use items are two impactful initiatives.
Providing reusable water bottles is a simple way to radically decrease disposable bottle waste. Royal Caribbean rolled out the approach in 2019, placing personalized aluminum bottles in every stateroom. Guests can conveniently refill at water stations throughout the ships, some even offering flavors or carbonation. MSC Cruises has implemented a similar program, cutting landfill waste by over 80% fleetwide.
Eliminating single-use plastics extends well beyond bottles. Holland America Line has transitioned to dispensers for shampoo, body wash and lotion in stateroom showers, avoiding tiny plastic bottles entirely. Costa Cruises only uses reusable bamboo cutlery in its buffets. And Carnival Cruise Line has decreed no plastic straws will be used at any food or beverage outlet starting in 2022.
Food packaging is being reconsidered too. MSC Cruises serves bread in paper bags rather than plastic wraps and uses compostable alternatives for takeaway cutlery. Virgin Voyages opts for recyclable paper boxes for pizza delivery. And Royal Caribbean has set goals to reduce plastics in dining operations by 50% - no more plastic stirrers, utensils or cups in cafes by 2022.
Cruise lines are getting creative in reducing single-use plastics without compromising the passenger experience. Self-serve ice cream dispensers let guests indulge without wasteful tubs and spoons. Cartons and aluminum cans replace plastic bottles for beverages. And grab-and-go sandwiches utilize wax paper for wrapping.
Perhaps most impactful is engaging guests in the efforts. Signage encourages cruisers to reuse towels and skip unnecessary housekeeping. Rental programs for items like pool floaties avoid disposable versions entirely. And reusable mug programs incentivize cruisers to opt out of daily plastic cups. Carnival even offers shore excursions to volunteer cleaning beaches.
Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Shore Power: Plugging In at Port to Reduce Engine Use
While at sea, cruise ships are powered by massive diesel engines running day and night. But when docked in port, an alternative exists - plugging into local electrical grids to turn engines off. Known as shore power or cold ironing, this simple approach provides huge sustainability benefits by eliminating emissions from idling. That's why progressive ports and cruise lines worldwide are collaborating to make cold ironing a new standard.
The numbers are compelling - a large cruise ship running auxiliary engines in port emits over 3 tons of nitrogen oxides, 2 tons of carbon dioxide and 85 pounds of particulate matter daily. Multiply this across multiple vessels, particularly in popular ports with heavy cruise traffic like Juneau, Vancouver or Seattle, and the impact is substantial. Diesel exhaust also contributes to local air pollution in port communities.
By switching to shore power, every ton of onboard generated power reduces carbon dioxide by 1 ton. Sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides plummet to nearly zero. Particulate matter disappears entirely. Maintenance needs are reduced too with less engine runtime. The benefits even extend underwater - without thrumming engines, habitat disruption and noise pollution are lessened.
Recognizing these advantages, forward-thinking cruise lines have pledged major shore power commitments. Princess Cruises aims to be fully compliant across its 17-ship fleet by 2023. Norwegian Cruise Line has targeted 60% connection capability by the same year. And in its 2030 sustainability goals, Royal Caribbean set a shore power target of 35-40% fleetwide.
But ports play an equally crucial role in this equation. Extensive infrastructure upgrades are required to deliver the voltage and frequency levels needed for a modern cruise ship. Major ports investing heavily in shore power include Juneau, Vancouver, Seattle, Brooklyn, Barcelona, and Shanghai. Princess Cruises helped fund construction of shore power stations in Juneau capable of serving two ships simultaneously.
The pace of adoption is accelerating with both ports and cruise lines on board. As of 2021, 34 ports worldwide offered shore power at 79 berths. Over 25 new installations are in development globally. A growing number of ships built in the last 5 years arrive equipped for shore power compatibility right from delivery.
Yet challenges remain to make cold ironing ubiquitous. Upfront infrastructure costs are substantial, ranging from $3-9 million per berth installation. Power supply must be consistent; a brief loss of shore power in Juneau once caused all onboard systems to shut down. And specialized training is needed for engineers to safely manage shore power connections.
Size Matters: Can Royal Caribbean's Massive New Ship Actually Be Eco-Friendly? - Towards Zero Waste: Comprehensive Recycling and Reuse Programs
With thousands of passengers cycling through cruise ships each week, the waste volumes generated are massive. Cruise lines have realized comprehensive recycling and reuse programs are essential for diverting materials from landfills and incinerators in a push towards zero waste operations. Leading cruise operators have implemented multi-faceted strategies targeting waste reduction through technology, infrastructure, and passenger engagement.
On the technical side, advanced wastewater treatment systems allow water to be cleaned and reused for non-potable applications. Heat recovery systems capture warmth from engine exhausts to heat pools or produces distilled water. Food pulpers liquefy leftovers into sterile slurry used as fertilizer once ashore. And ocean-safe biofuels are even being produced from processed food waste.
Sorting infrastructure has expanded dramatically as well. Contemporary cruise ships have intricate waste management centers for separation and processing. Bins across all public spaces encourage proper recycling by passengers. And galleys utilize smart disposal units to divert organic waste for treatment. Staff are comprehensively trained in separation of trash, recyclables, food waste and hazardous e-waste.
Among leadership, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has set a target of 60% waste diversion by 2020 through comprehensive onboard programs. Holland America Line estimates a guest produces 4 pounds of waste daily, with approximately 75% diverted through its recycling efforts. And Carnival Cruise Line operates a 155,000 square foot recycling facility in Florida, processing tons of aluminum, steel, glass and paper from across its fleet.
Engaging passengers in recycling initiatives is crucial for success. Infographics and signage provide guidance and reminders. Contests add an element of fun - Princess Cruises passengers on one sailing collected over 93,500 aluminum cans for recycling. And shore visits to processing facilities give cruisers a first-hand look at how their efforts promote sustainability.