Understanding Sustainability at Sea: What Advisors Need to Know to Effectively Vet Suppliers

Sustainability is a dynamic trend in travel and tourism that continues to tick upwards. Travelers are becoming more conscious consumers, as they prioritize sustainable products, local businesses, and the social and environmental impact of their travel decisions.

In fact, in a study reported by RadicalStorage.com, 80% of those polled said that traveling more sustainably is important to them (up from 71% in 2022). A study by Booking.com also found that travelers are continuing to seek out sustainable ways to travel in 2024, with more than half (53%) saying they are looking for accommodations that combine comfort with innovative sustainability. 

The shift towards sustainability is undeniable, and travel advisors must be informed and articulate about the topic, in order to effectively counsel their clients in making travel decisions. In this article, we will focus on the key aspects to understanding sustainability at sea. Here are six areas to consider when vetting a cruise supplier regarding their sustainability practices:

1. Reducing the carbon footprint
Ask questions about what actions the cruise line undertakes to reduce their environmental footprint. Does the ship’s technology reduce harmful emissions; function with high levels of fuel efficiency; effectively manage dropping anchor in fragile ecosystems; and use low-consumption lighting? What are their policies on recycling, from the materials used in the ship’s design, to the use of guest toiletries, single-use plastics, cleaning products, frequency of housekeeping, and paperless communications?

2. Combatting climate change
Consider a supplier’s climate action practices in their own operations. Ask what they do to combat the causes of climate change and alleviate its effects. Some lines, particularly in the expedition segment, take this a step further. For instance, one leader offers an initiative that involves guests with NASA’s citizen science program. The collaborations between scientists and guests (known as citizen scientists) have helped make thousands of important scientific discoveries. Guests on voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, Svalbard Archipelago, and Greenland have the chance to be part of the citizen science program by collecting cloud data for climate research.

3. Conserving the biodiversity of our waters
Look into what the cruise supplier is doing regarding the responsible use of marine resources; and conserving the health and biodiversity of our rivers, seas, and oceans. What are their policies and how do they use advanced technologies to ensure their voyages leave the waters they explore uncontaminated for future generations? How do they govern sustainable fish and seaborne activities, such as the use of Zodiacs in compliance with strict biosecurity guidelines to reduce any impact on the environment to a minimum?

4. Preserving the places visited
Explore what actions the travel supplier takes to protect and preserve the extraordinary places, history, and culture of the destinations they empower their guests to discover. Some go beyond their own operations and team up with organizations to protect the environment. One cruise line partners with Stony Brook University on undertaking Antarctic Seabird Surveys. Guests on voyages that pass through the Antarctic Ocean have the chance to contribute to these important surveys, working hand in hand with an experienced ornithologist. The efforts accomplish the concept of travel with a purpose.

5. Supporting local communities
What does the cruise line do to build strong connections with the unique cities and communities around the world that they visit? How do they support the local cultural and environmental heritage? One way a cruise supplier can bolster local communities and economies is through local and sustainable sourcing, meaning the food, wine, beer, and spirits they serve onboard come from the local communities they pass through on their adventures.

6. Providing quality education
Ask what types of educational initiatives the cruise line supports in the regions they explore. Do they offer informative efforts that give guests opportunities to better understand and connect with the local people and culture of the places they journey to? Do they provide educational assistance and programs to help local communities grow and thrive?

It takes some time to unpack the sustainability policies and practices of cruise providers. Each is different, and many are evolving based on consumer demand. But it is well worth the effort on the part of travel advisors to be able to confidently field questions from clients and recommend suppliers that match up with their commitments to sustainable travel and tourism, both on land and at sea.

FROM THE SPONSOR:
At Swan Hellenic, we would like to take this opportunity to pay homage to our incredible oceans by sharing the positive action we take to cherish and protect them. Our oceans are much more than a means of transportation. Covering over 70% of the earth’s surface, these waters harbor vibrant life, ecosystems, and habitats, and also play a crucial role in supporting life on the planet. At Swan Hellenic, we follow stringent policies and use advanced technologies to ensure our voyages leave the world’s waters safe and healthy for future generations. Our environmental policies exceed the United Nations global standards – making our voyages truly sustainable. A position we are proud of – but will always aim to improve on.

Swan Hellenic is an established, well-respected, owner-operated heritage brand with more than seven decades of expertise in undiscovered destinations. Our brand-new fleet of expedition ships are cutting edge, but the core values that underpinned the brand and served its guests so well from its inception remain in place. Swan Hellenic prides itself on taking its guests to see what others do not, visiting small and lesser-known ports of special cultural, geographical, or wildlife interest, as well as bucket list famous cities. Above all, our guests visit many uniquely remote places beyond these ports of call, boarding Zodiac boats and exploring at sea level to come ashore in rich unspoiled areas of our planet that often cannot be accessed in any other way. Please find a link to our latest promo on Antarctica for the 2024-25 Season: https://www.swanhellenic.com/. Our Facebook Travel Advisor Page is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793940561748667.