In an era where climate change conversations are commonplace throughout society, travelers are increasingly looking for responsible options.
This includes affluent travelers, who look to put their abundance of money towards luxury yet sustainable tourism. One area that is notorious for its carbon footprint (besides the aviation industry) is cruise ships. Unfortunately, large cruise ships release high carbon emissions and have a negative environmental impact. However, things are changing.
Long gone are the days when cruising was synonymous with excess. Today, a new chapter unfolds, showcasing the perfect marriage of opulence and environmentally friendly practices. Following, we will discuss eco-conscious luxury cruising, a venture where lavish experiences don’t compromise the health of our planet.
Sustainable Tourism: Beyond Just Cruising
Several large cruise companies have or plan to implement responsible initiatives. Sustainably efficient cruise ships emit fewer emissions and new designs aim to achieve this from the likes of Ponant, Havila Voyages, and Explora Journeys. Such sustainable practices include:
- Use of renewable energy consumption
- Protecting natural resources
- Fuel-efficient modes of transportation
- Environmental and social projects
- More efficient energy infrastructure
But one new player in the industry seeks to pave the way for sustainable travel at sea, designing a ship and community with sustainable tourism at its core. You can also stay connected to your loved ones and keep everyone updated on your European adventures with Sims Direct.
Eco-Friendly Residential Cruise Ship
Storylines MV Narrative is not your typical cruise ship. Where cruise liners are designed for vacationers, MV Narrative is built for living on. That’s right, you can buy an apartment on the ship, ranging from an inside studio to a four-bedroom penthouse with multiple balconies, to use as a second/vacation home or for full-time living. The vessel continuously circumnavigates the globe roughly every three years. As modern-day explorers and citizens of the world, the onboard community views the ship not merely as a vehicle of transit but as a home that floats. It is not a temporary vacation spot; it’s a lifestyle. And like any responsible homeowner, sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s a mission. right from the get-go, the founders engaged in practices that ensure the ship sails in harmony with the earth, literally and metaphorically.
Green Initiatives: Reducing the Carbon Footprint
“Sustainability” and “eco-friendly” may be buzzwords as global temperatures rise, but on MV Narrative, they’re a way of life. By implementing practices such as no single-use plastics onboard, and providing their own reusable water bottle for residents, they instill a culture of sustainability. Other green technologies with environmental benefits Storylines is practicing are:
- Solar panels
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Converting waste to energy
- Zero waste farmers market
- Powered by LNG and use of green ports
All these help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it doesn’t stop at technology. Supporting the local communities that they visit around the world is another cornerstone of the ship’s responsible tourism practices.
Participation Over Observation
For Storylines, being part of the community means being an active participant, not a mere observer. It’s not just a bunch of wealthy folk cruising in decadence around the globe. Through activities such as beach clean-ups, and workshops on sustainable living, they encourage the residents to take part in the global eco-movement. Unlike a regular cruise ship’s port stop for hours flooding cities and towns with day trippers, MV Narrative has up to five days at each port. As a result, the opportunities for participation are endless, empowering residents to immerse themselves in the local culture and environments, supporting the local economy, and making a meaningful difference in the more vulnerable communities.
Supporting Local Communities
There have been several reports recently of local residents getting fed up with day-tripping tourists in places like Amsterdam and Venice. As a result, these port cities are restricting the amount of cruises and tourists entering the city at any one time. Storylines could benefit from practicing slow travel, staying for days, not hours, at the port, and intentionally aiming to support the local communities by supporting local businesses. Here are some other ways they aim to support the local people:
- Engaging with the Tourism Resilience Council
- Conservation efforts towards preserving the natural and cultural heritage
- Reducing carbon emissions by seeking sustainable destinations for energy resources
- Educating residents on being an eco-conscious traveler
- Using local suppliers and local markets for their food stocks
- Employing local guides and eco-friendly booking site
- Reduce carbon emissions by using more sustainable public transportation
Experiences Over Itineraries
One of the biggest travel trends to have emerged post-pandemic is the experiential tourism and sustainable vacation industry. Also known as mindful travel, experiential tourism is a form of travel that focuses on engaging with a destination through personalized, immersive experiences that connect travelers with the local culture, history, and environment. Experiential travel is at the core of MV Narratives when it comes to exploring destinations. Extended stays allow the community to truly engage with the local environment and its unique ecological challenges. From contributing to coral reef preservation to participating in local reforestation initiatives, including national parks. They don’t just visit but become a part of the global solution.
Cruising Forward
The essence of eco-conscious luxury cruising isn’t about compromise; it’s about harmony—harmony between our desires and our responsibilities, between indulgence and sustainability. As we set sail towards the future, we need the cruise tourism industry to take a leaf out of Storyline’s vision, one that values both the natural environment through eco-friendly travel, and the local community with experiential tourism. This is not a trend; it’s a movement, setting a course for a better, more sustainable world.
