2 0 0 estimated to be five years and at a cost of up to an estimated €10 million (even €25 million in one case), it will be very hard to justify in some ports. Nickolai Skogland, executive director of port operations and government relations at Viking, reinforced the brand’s commitment to the Fit for 55 goal, saying: “Next year we’ll have our first ship that will be zero emissions in port and by 2035 we’ll be launching our first fully net-zero ship.” Alessandro Carollo, director of government relations at Royal Caribbean Group, was similarly supportive. “Fit for 55 is not a strict deadline but we are bold and ambitious. This is a path that nobody can walk alone. We need to be in it together.” Emphasising the need to invest in the right technology, Vincenzo Galati, director of ABG marine technology at Carnival Corporation, said: “By 2030 every port must have shore power.” The ‘Young Travellers’ session highlighted the significance of meeting this age group’s travel aspirations. Sacha Rougier, head of itinerary planning and shore experience at Explora Journeys, said: “They want transformational and emotional experiences, authentic and genuine.” Gina Dunnett, director of land product development at Azamara, agreed and noted: “They don’t want passive coach tours anymore. They want to be an active participant.” Like many other generations, younger travellers are now much more focused MEDITERRANEAN: REPORT Port-Vendres in France is a hitherto hidden gem hoping to turn interest into cruise calls now that it has built a formidable collection of shore excursions within the old fishing village and neighbouring towns, including Perpignan, Ceret and Collioure. The port is ideally suited to small-ship cruising and itinerary planners will be eager to read passenger forums and blogs following Azamara Journey’s visit at the end of July. France’s Ports of Toulon Bay are strongly committed to energy transition initiatives and have benefited from subsidies from the Région Sud, Toulon Provence Mediterranée and Ville de Toulon that will allow the authority to supply shore power by the beginning of 2023. While the project was initially targeting ferry traffic the port has confirmed that the onshore power facilities will also be available to cruise ships. In related news, Toulon Bay and Var Provence Cruise Club continue to champion the development of ecotours and can now offer a full programme of shore excursions with excellent environmental metrics, including zero emissions. While many destinations are now switched on to sustainable shore excursions, Var always will be remembered as a pioneer in this field. Exciting updates from MedCruise members > The Croatian city of Dubrovnik offers cruise visitors the chance to explore history, culture, natural wildlife and much more
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