In honor of Earth Day, Holland America Line has announced the roll-out of its new sustainable seafood program, which adopts environmentally responsible purchasing practices and features menus that showcase sustainable seafood.
Working in conjunction with the Marine Conservation Institute -- a Washington State partner in promoting sustainable and compatible use of the oceans -- Holland America Line’s program emphasizes adopting sustainable seafood purchasing practices.
To determine the sustainability of a particular seafood item, Holland America Line and Marine Conservation Institute referred to well-established seafood ratings/rankings from Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, Blue Ocean Institute Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood, World Wildlife Fund Sustainable Seafood Guides, Environmental Defense Fund Seafood Selector and others. Marine Conservation Institute then applied their professional judgment to assess the sustainability of the selection. Each seafood item is evaluated for its abundance, how well the fishery is managed and what damage is done to the surrounding marine ecosystem through catching or farming the seafood. The sustainability program places particular emphasis on maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
Holland America Line will begin the sustainability program with its 2011 Alaska and Europe cruises -- and the company plans to extend the program worldwide across the 15-ship fleet over the next year. Menus will be reviewed prior to contracting cycles to ensure that all procured seafood meets the program criteria. New seafood options are evaluated and best-choice alternatives are used whenever possible. The line has provided sustainable seafood specifications to all of its suppliers and modified its procurement process to achieve its goal of all seafood items being responsibly sourced.
The sustainability program is an extension of “Our Marvelous Oceans,” a three-year program announced by the two partners in 2010 that includes guest and staff education and support for marine conservation biology research. Support for Marine Conservation Institute’s education program also includes annual grants made to graduate students and young scientists working in historical marine ecology.
Holland America Line’s environmental efforts have been recognized throughout the industry. The line recently was named the World’s Leading Green Cruise Line at the World Travel Awards in London, received a 2010 Rear Adm. William M. Benkert Gold Environmental Protection Award from the U.S. Coast Guard and received a Blue Circle Award from the Port of Vancouver. Other awards include the 2010 Marine Environmental Business of the Year from the Port of Seattle and, in 2009, a Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award. For more information, call 877-SAIL-HAL or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/.
"Travel Pulse" - 21 April 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
CLIA Commemorates Earth Day
In honor of Earth Day, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is highlighting efforts of CLIA member lines and their continued commitment to protecting the environment. This year, 14 new ships join an increasingly modern ocean going fleet, paving the way for the next generation of innovation.
“The strides our cruise lines are making to reduce the impact cruising has on the environment are very impressive,” said CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy. “This year our industry welcomes 14 new ships to our increasingly innovative industry-wide fleet; it is rewarding to take a look at some of their green initiatives that go beyond the environmental regulations we already meet. From actions as seemingly simple-sounding as recycling and automatic lighting, to larger efforts such as advanced wastewater treatment systems and reducing air emissions through improved ship design, our industry has taken a number of steps to ensure that our oceangoing vessels are pioneers in environmental protection. Protecting the environment and educating our passengers on green initiatives is something in which we take great pride.”
On this Earth Day, CLIA encourages people to take its new environmental quiz to gauge how much they know about the industry’s stewardship. The quiz is posted on CruiseIndustryFacts.com.
Environmental stewardship is an important initiative for passengers and crew members alike. In an effort to raise awareness and promote conservation, a number of CLIA member lines offer a variety of programs designed to raise passenger awareness, including behind the scenes videos, onboard activities, educational partnerships in ports of call, and eco-friendly excursions. Along with these onboard programs, member ships promote recycling and the importance of conservation efforts. On many ships, collection bins are placed throughout the ships that encourage passengers to separate waste into glass/cans, plastic/paper, and food.
“The environmental success of CLIA member line ships depends on the behind the scenes faces that make it all happen,” Duffy said. “People are at the core of our environmental progress, from welders at the shipyards where our hulls are laid and the manufacturers that supply our energy efficient equipment to the environmental officers and engineers aboard our ships and the recycling sorters below deck separating items as diverse as paper, plastic, and cooking oil, our environmental achievements are a credit to the men and women who have pledged a career in our industry.”
CLIA member lines meet and often exceed all applicable environmental regulations on a ship’s voyage. Each country, and often states and localities, a ship visits may have its own rules and regulations and therefore cruise lines and their environmental staff must ensure the ship is compliant at all times. The Fleet of 2011 demonstrates the industry’s continued commitment and dedication to the environment.
Take a look at several notable initiatives employed by the CLIA fleet:
CLIA member lines recycle over 79,000 tons of garbage in a given year including paper, plastic, aluminum cans and glass.
Member lines work with suppliers to reduce the amount of packaging materials coming onto the ships and require that in-cabin amenities be packaged in recyclable materials. As part of this, one of our member lines reduced the amount of waste landed ashore by 19 percent from the previous year and 47 percent from 2007 levels.
Members of the Fleet of 2011 are utilizing highly efficient insulation and heat reflective paint, which diminishes the need for chillers, pumps and distribution piping, allowing one new ship to be constructed with 25 percent less HVAC equipment.
One member line has partnered with non-profit “Clean the World”, to recycle leftover toiletries and donating 388 pounds of soap and 1,203 bottles of shampoos and conditioners in 2010 for distribution to people in need.
One new ship’s public area is served with a clock system which is pre-programmed so that during quiet hours, the lighting automatically lowers to reduce the load and therefore reduces power demand.
A number of member lines use fabric bags – including laundry, dry cleaning, and shoe shine bags – in lieu of plastic bags, thereby reducing plastic from the waste stream.
Many lines are using ecological, non-toxic, slick hull coatings that save as much as 5% of fuel usage for propulsion.
Various ships are installing high-efficiency appliances onboard their ships in order to minimize their impact on the environment. Every type of appliance onboard the ships is evaluated for efficiency, including TV's, coffee makers, ovens and dishwashers.
Halogen and incandescent light bulbs have either been replaced on many lines or are being replaced with LED lights, which last 25 times longer, use 80% less energy, and generate 50% less heat.
A number of lines have invested heavily in the use of shore-based power, allowing ship engines to be shut down while at port.
Many lines are in various stages of employing advanced wastewater purification systems (AWPS) that produce water cleaner than what is discharged from most municipalities.
"Cruise Industry News" - 21 April 2011
“The strides our cruise lines are making to reduce the impact cruising has on the environment are very impressive,” said CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy. “This year our industry welcomes 14 new ships to our increasingly innovative industry-wide fleet; it is rewarding to take a look at some of their green initiatives that go beyond the environmental regulations we already meet. From actions as seemingly simple-sounding as recycling and automatic lighting, to larger efforts such as advanced wastewater treatment systems and reducing air emissions through improved ship design, our industry has taken a number of steps to ensure that our oceangoing vessels are pioneers in environmental protection. Protecting the environment and educating our passengers on green initiatives is something in which we take great pride.”
On this Earth Day, CLIA encourages people to take its new environmental quiz to gauge how much they know about the industry’s stewardship. The quiz is posted on CruiseIndustryFacts.com.
Environmental stewardship is an important initiative for passengers and crew members alike. In an effort to raise awareness and promote conservation, a number of CLIA member lines offer a variety of programs designed to raise passenger awareness, including behind the scenes videos, onboard activities, educational partnerships in ports of call, and eco-friendly excursions. Along with these onboard programs, member ships promote recycling and the importance of conservation efforts. On many ships, collection bins are placed throughout the ships that encourage passengers to separate waste into glass/cans, plastic/paper, and food.
“The environmental success of CLIA member line ships depends on the behind the scenes faces that make it all happen,” Duffy said. “People are at the core of our environmental progress, from welders at the shipyards where our hulls are laid and the manufacturers that supply our energy efficient equipment to the environmental officers and engineers aboard our ships and the recycling sorters below deck separating items as diverse as paper, plastic, and cooking oil, our environmental achievements are a credit to the men and women who have pledged a career in our industry.”
CLIA member lines meet and often exceed all applicable environmental regulations on a ship’s voyage. Each country, and often states and localities, a ship visits may have its own rules and regulations and therefore cruise lines and their environmental staff must ensure the ship is compliant at all times. The Fleet of 2011 demonstrates the industry’s continued commitment and dedication to the environment.
Take a look at several notable initiatives employed by the CLIA fleet:
CLIA member lines recycle over 79,000 tons of garbage in a given year including paper, plastic, aluminum cans and glass.
Member lines work with suppliers to reduce the amount of packaging materials coming onto the ships and require that in-cabin amenities be packaged in recyclable materials. As part of this, one of our member lines reduced the amount of waste landed ashore by 19 percent from the previous year and 47 percent from 2007 levels.
Members of the Fleet of 2011 are utilizing highly efficient insulation and heat reflective paint, which diminishes the need for chillers, pumps and distribution piping, allowing one new ship to be constructed with 25 percent less HVAC equipment.
One member line has partnered with non-profit “Clean the World”, to recycle leftover toiletries and donating 388 pounds of soap and 1,203 bottles of shampoos and conditioners in 2010 for distribution to people in need.
One new ship’s public area is served with a clock system which is pre-programmed so that during quiet hours, the lighting automatically lowers to reduce the load and therefore reduces power demand.
A number of member lines use fabric bags – including laundry, dry cleaning, and shoe shine bags – in lieu of plastic bags, thereby reducing plastic from the waste stream.
Many lines are using ecological, non-toxic, slick hull coatings that save as much as 5% of fuel usage for propulsion.
Various ships are installing high-efficiency appliances onboard their ships in order to minimize their impact on the environment. Every type of appliance onboard the ships is evaluated for efficiency, including TV's, coffee makers, ovens and dishwashers.
Halogen and incandescent light bulbs have either been replaced on many lines or are being replaced with LED lights, which last 25 times longer, use 80% less energy, and generate 50% less heat.
A number of lines have invested heavily in the use of shore-based power, allowing ship engines to be shut down while at port.
Many lines are in various stages of employing advanced wastewater purification systems (AWPS) that produce water cleaner than what is discharged from most municipalities.
"Cruise Industry News" - 21 April 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Moving from Cruises Inc. To CruiseOne
I’ve had the good fortune the past couple of years to be associated with the Cruises Inc. organization and the many unselfish agents under its umbrella. As Blue Marble days go, a transition to their “franchise version” sister company CruiseOne, was really not on my radar, at least not for several years.
Well, I need my radar serviced because here I am, a newly minted CruiseOne owner. I soon discovered that I’d fallen into equally good fortune again to now be in the company of unselfish CruiseOne franchise owners.
With this change in venue, I am taking the opportunity to focus personal attention on expedition and exploration travel, activity more aligned with the Blue Marble theme and my particular professional background. While I’ll still represent all of the major cruise lines, I just wanted to do something where I could weave my biology and marine science underpinnings and 30 years working in various environmental disciplines into the fabric of this new CruiseOne enterprise.
Therefore, in the coming months I will be evaluating potential travel partners who practice the established global tenets of sustainable tourism for both land based and cruise oriented exploration travel to promote to my clients. Also, one person won’t be able to do it all so I will be bringing on Associates with diverse travel industry backgrounds and experiences to support our client’s varied needs.
Finally, I’m returning a favor to one of those unselfish CruiseOne franchise owners I reached out to early on in this transition. In the near future I’ll be creating sort of an “Associates” incubator for travel professionals, experienced or new to the field.
This will be an opportunity for like-minded individuals who share my vision of helping people to see the Blue Marble as few will ever see it and to do so with travel partners who possess the greatest respect for and exercise care during their visits to sensitive ecosystems as well as historical and cultural destinations. And that these Associates will ultimately move on to establish their own travel agencies, consultancies or careers with sustainable tourism as a core business value.
They may even find themselves one day as a newly minted CruiseOne owner.
Well, I need my radar serviced because here I am, a newly minted CruiseOne owner. I soon discovered that I’d fallen into equally good fortune again to now be in the company of unselfish CruiseOne franchise owners.
With this change in venue, I am taking the opportunity to focus personal attention on expedition and exploration travel, activity more aligned with the Blue Marble theme and my particular professional background. While I’ll still represent all of the major cruise lines, I just wanted to do something where I could weave my biology and marine science underpinnings and 30 years working in various environmental disciplines into the fabric of this new CruiseOne enterprise.
Therefore, in the coming months I will be evaluating potential travel partners who practice the established global tenets of sustainable tourism for both land based and cruise oriented exploration travel to promote to my clients. Also, one person won’t be able to do it all so I will be bringing on Associates with diverse travel industry backgrounds and experiences to support our client’s varied needs.
Finally, I’m returning a favor to one of those unselfish CruiseOne franchise owners I reached out to early on in this transition. In the near future I’ll be creating sort of an “Associates” incubator for travel professionals, experienced or new to the field.
This will be an opportunity for like-minded individuals who share my vision of helping people to see the Blue Marble as few will ever see it and to do so with travel partners who possess the greatest respect for and exercise care during their visits to sensitive ecosystems as well as historical and cultural destinations. And that these Associates will ultimately move on to establish their own travel agencies, consultancies or careers with sustainable tourism as a core business value.
They may even find themselves one day as a newly minted CruiseOne owner.
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