Because a large portion of our vacation packages include a cruising element, it’s important that our partners share the same desire to preserve and protect the environment for future generations. We’re proud to say that many of our cruise partners are pioneers in developing and implementing innovative policies and technologies that are in-line with YMT Vacations’ goals for Responsible Travel.

Holland America:

Holland America strives to ensure that “every aspect of vessel operations, from the food preparation and hotel operations, to the navigation and ship operations on the bridge, to the engineering and maintenance activities in the engine room, are performed in a manner to minimize the impact on the environment while assuring a safe, comfortable and satisfying experience for guests.”

Holland America has many efforts in place to preserve and protect the environment, as well as educate and encourage cruise guests to embrace “greener” travel habits. Each ship has an onboard Environmental Officer, tasked both with overseeing the vessel’s compliance with environmental requirements as well as speaking directly to guests about environmental conservation. Behind the scenes, Holland America employs a wide range of efforts to offer an environmentally-friendly cruising experience. Cleaning supplies aboard provide the most effective sanitation available while also being environmentally friendly. All waste aboard ship is separated and recycled ashore (based on availability) and/or disposed of in ways that meet or exceed international, national, or local requirements. In order to reduce the amount of hazardous material onboard, Holland America is transitioning between traditional perchloroethylene dry cleaning machines to soy, orange, and banana oil-based “wet cleaning” machines, switching traditional x-ray technology to digital, and moving towards digital photography equipment as it becomes more commonplace among guests. Materials for correspondence onboard are printed with soy based ink, often using recycled paper (when available). In groundbreaking territory, Holland America is working on a sea water scrubber project in conjunction with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada, and other local agencies; currently installed on the ms Zaandam, the project aims to reduce SOx emissions and particulate matter.

Norwegian Cruise Lines:

Because environmental preservation is a among Norwegian Cruise Line’s highest priorities, NCL has implemented “environmental policies and technologies onboard its ships that are among the most stringent in the industry and exceed existing laws and international conventions.”

Included in these initiatives is a designated onboard environmental officer tasked with overseeing vessel compliance with NCL environmental policy and offering appropriate training for onboard staff individual to each job and responsibility. NCL ships are outfitted with incinerators used to burn appropriate waste; in locations where the use of incinerators is not allowed, waste is separated and recycled and/or disposed of with licensed disposal companies to ensure that it is dealt with appropriately and within regulations. A state-of-the-are waste management system is a feature of all NCL ships, cleaning black and grey water to near drinking water standards. For the newer ships in its fleet, NCL is in the process of introducing fuel-water emulsion systems, port electrical plug in capabilities, electronic fuel injection, and multi-fuel capabilities in an effort to reduce overall emissions; in sensitive areas where acid rain poses a threat to the environment, NCL is conscious to utilize low sulfur fuels. Additionally, all of NCL’s ships are currently equipped with modern emulsion-breaking oily water separators, offering a rigorous three-step process that ensures that only clean water (far exceeding regulatory requirements) is discharged into the sea.

MSC Cruises:

MSC Cruise’s sentiments on environmental preservation are clear: “ensuring our vessels are as environmentally friendly as possible ensures that passengers on an MSC cruise will be able to enjoy the lagoons of Venice, the clear seas of the Caribbean or the crystalline fjords of Northern Europe – without worrying about the effects of their holiday on the environment – preserving these beautiful locations for future visitors.”

With goals to reduce the amount of waste introduced, MSC has made large strides in preserving the environment. A rigorous Advance Water Treatment (AWT) system is in place in the MSC fleet, recycling and treating waste water according to the highest legal and ecological standards. In cabins as well as public areas, an Energy Saving System is installed to monitor electricity usage, powering down unused systems to reduce fuel consumption and gas emissions. On newer ships in the MSC fleet, including the Poesia, the hulls have been coated with Intersleek 900 paint, helping to reduce the usage of fuel and subsequent emissions by streamlining the drag against the water.