34 COMMI TMENT Tradewind Voyages remarks: “We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and are committed to reducing our environmental impact.” Norwegian Yacht Voyages states: “We have an extreme focus and approach to all aspects of sustainability, from building to operation, from shore to sea. With our design and engineering team, we love to constantly think on new guests’ experiences and new eco-friendly solutions, never seen before.” Yacht cruise specialist Variety Cruises says: “Our mission is to provide a sustainable sea-going platform for engaging our guests in meaningful communication and exchange of values with the local communities we visit.” Elixir Boutique Cruises says it is proud that “at the same time as offering our guests an intimate and beautiful experience at sea, we also offer them a choice that is gentler on the environment. As a company, we make every effort to keep our environmental impact to the bare minimum.” By their nature, river cruise itineraries allow guests to get up close and personal with a huge number of destinations. Ama Waterways says: “We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the world through our commitments to celebrating diversity, giving back to local communities and reducing our impact on the environment.” Uniworld lists its priorities as “reduce, reuse, sustain. Reducing the environmental impact of our business isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ for us, it’s at the core of all that we do.” Niche and boutique cruise lines are also nailing their (green) colours to the mast. Aranui Cruises, which offers mixed cargo cruises in exotic destinations, says these cruises “are built on three strong pillars: comfort, security and the environment.” Bhaya Group says that, as a cruise operator in Vietnam’s most iconic natural attraction, it “understands the vital importance of environmental responsibility. The principles of sustainability are reflected in every process we undertake.” Certification Many cruise lines use certification processes to help drive sustainability improvements, with a wide range of standards and systems available. While certification schemes can cover a wide range of aspects of a cruise company’s operations, there are also schemes for individual ships. Among the options that operators can choose from, those under the ISO umbrella ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 9001 (quality management) are currently important in this field. “ I look forward to achieving greater resilience through sustainability. Now, more than ever, we must seek to be a leading force for good in the world” Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises
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