Green Cruising: A Matter Of Environment And Sense

By Author: Ranko Zunic
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In recent years, the cruise industry has experienced tremendous growth. According to the Cruise Line International Association, in the United States alone, the cruise industry employed over 350,000 workers and generated over $38 billion in revenues in 2008. Accompanying this development has been the increased criticism from environmental groups about the effects that these floating casinos, restaurants, hotels and fitness clubs have on the environment.

In fact, a new term has been added to the lexicon (DELETE: of the travel industry). "Green cruising" or "eco cruising." It denotes a method of cruising that seeks to be more environmentally friendly.

The explosion in the number of individuals, couples and families electing to go on cruises over other week-end and vacation options is a testament to the convenience and the pleasures derived from this mode of travel, which focuses on pampering its clients. You unpack once; you don't have to book a hotel and there is little concern about where to eat. Best of all, you get to visit exotic ports; see far-away places; and sample different lifestyles and cultures in a very ...
... hassle-free manner.

Now, just take a moment to stop and think about all of the different facilities and amenities that the typical passenger cruise ship offers. The massive size and volume of the services, goods and products required to support the operations of a cruise ship are truly astounding.

On an average day, a 3,000-passenger cruise ship discards seven tons of paper, foam, cans, bottles, batteries and food waste in refuge bins every day. Chemical waste is also generated from photo lab mixtures and dry cleaning solutions and other processes. Gray water, coming from showers, cleaning, laundry and swimming pools measures out to 255,000 gallons a day. Grey water is contaminated with oil, solvents, pesticides and chlorine. The raw sewage or "brown/black water, on average, is about 30,000 gallons on a daily basis.

As more consumers choose green cruising, or bypass this type of travel altogether, cruise lines have undertaken more aggressive green initiatives to protect their share of the travel market. This is good news for the many ecologically aware travelers who can continue to enjoy their favorite style of taking a trip. Most cruise lines design their own eco-cruising policies. Typically, the components address the environmental areas of recycling incinerating and processing waste.

For example, some cruise lines have installed fully enclosed water systems on their ships. The process consists of three separate water systems: fresh water, gray water and black water. Usually the fresh water, which is used for showers and faucets, is treated.

It is then used in the gray water system for cleaning decks and washing laundry. The last step consists of toilet water and used gray water is collected in the black water system. Eco-cruising ships have a state-of-the-art water treatment process that removes bacteria and solids. The system is non-toxic to humans as well as the environment.

It is eventually taken away at shore or released, at least, 12 miles out in the ocean. Some other changes include one cruise line donating its cooking grease to an organic Power (AMP) system, which allows them to "plug to shore." This system is said to reduce sulfur emissions by 50 percent for each day spent in port.

A few years ago, Holland America introduced a system that uses seawater to clean the emissions from the smokestacks. They also develop a method that uses an energy-efficient combination of diesel-electric and gas turbine hybrid system to power its newest fleet. Carnival has also engineered a propulsion process, called "enviro-engine," that gets rid of the black visible smoke emission that are common in the industry. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have also employed the latest alternative gas turbine technology to power their new ships.

Cruise lines have been more diligent in the development of green cruising solutions. Their reputations had taken some hits over the years. The innovations and solutions are in direct response to meeting the demands of the eco cruising slice of the travel sector. For the consumer, green cruising is not something that has to cost more. It's only a matter of doing a little bit of research and seeking out eco-friendly cruise lines. You can do your part to help out the environment and still enjoy having the sunshine on your face as take on that cool ocean breeze.
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Freighter Cruises has incorporated Freighter Travel Club Int'l and Freighter Specialty Cruises to offer you something unique. Take a round the world cruise from coast to coast while enjoying islands and the wonders of the sea. Visit online for more information.