Strategy. As part of its comprehensive commitment, the company is continuously advancing climate and resource protection with many small and large initiatives not only on board its fleet, but also on land. Using reusable packaging instead of disposable packaging or avoiding packaging altogether - this has been the practice for many years, not only on board all AIDA ships. For relaxing and healthy breaks, the company naturally provides its employees with fruit without packaging. Coffee specialties are available freshly ground from modern coffee machines. Table water can be drawn from water stations in the tea kitchens. For more sustainable mobility, including during leisure time, AIDA Cruises offers its employees discounted job tickets in cooperation with regional transport companies. The mobility offer is supplemented by company bicycles, which can also be rented privately free of charge.
bicycling, canoeing and kayaking excursions ashore with many tours set to make a direct contribution to the environment by helping the protection of habitats and species. MSC Cruises worked extensively in 2021 to provide tour operators with responsible and sustainable tourism training and ‘Protectours’ will be available at the start of summer 2022 at 20 ports which is set to grow to up to 90 destinations by the season’s end. Marialuisa Iaccarino, Head of Shore Excursions, MSC Cruises said, “Travel and tourism has a very significant role to play in global decarbonization, and we need to demonstrate leadership by ensuring that we meet the expectation of travelers who are more aware and engaged in sustainability matters and the protection and enhancement of the natural environment.” MSC Cruises has also waived its ‘safe bubble’ shore excursions it pioneered for the cruise industry in 2020 due to the pandemic, and guests can make their own sightseeing arrangements subject to the regulations stipulated by local authorities.
MSC Cruises’ Summer Shorex Sets Sights on Sustainability MSC Cruises’ summer 2022 program of shore excursions will have its strongest ever focus on minimizing the environmental impact of land-based tours and supporting nature-positive activities. More electric and hybrid shuttle buses will be used for guests to shuttle from ports to places of interest, with MSC Cruises aiming to increase the utilization of green ground transportation in the future. Low carbon footprint excursions will include 150 bicycle tours available in 21 countries - which are growing in popularity among the line’s guests - and more sustainable shore excursions called ‘Protectours’ that MSC Cruises first introduced in 2020 will be available. Up to 70 percent of Protectours will have a low environmental impact thanks to an increase in the number of walking, hiking,
Port Everglades Reaches Agreement for Shore Power Port Everglades has reached a $495,000 agreement with Florida Power & Light (FPL) to explore providing electrical shore power to each of the Port’s eight cruise ship berths. The agreement gives FPL the go ahead to begin design services required to construct a new electrical sub-station and power distribution facilities. During Seatrade Cruise Global representatives from Port Everglades, FPL, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Group and Royal Caribbean Group voiced their support for the project.
Mobile Moving Along Mobile, Ala. serves as a desirable, easily assessable drive market port situated along the northern Gulf coast. Sailing again, Carnival Ecstasy offers four- and fiveday itineraries to the western Caribbean. During the restart celebration for Ecstasy, Carnival also announced its future plans for Mobile. The line will introduce a new seasonal six- and eight-day cruise program from Mobile beginning October 2023 with Carnival Spirit. Spirit’s itineraries will stop in Bimini, Half Moon Cay and Mahogany Bay, among other ports. These sailings have already opened for sale.
PortMiami to Be ‘Shore Power Ready’ PortMiami, in partnership with Florida Power and Light Company, Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruises USA, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, Royal Caribbean Group, and Virgin Voyages, will be “Shore Power Ready” by Winter 2023. Shore power will allow cruise ships to shut down their engines while docked at the Port and switch to electric power until it is time to set sail, reducing emissions and mitigating MiamiDade’s current and future environmental concerns. This project will not only continue to solidly PortMiami’s position as the Cruise Capital of the World but a leader in sustainability and resiliency. To learn more, visit www.portmiami.biz.
JAXPORT Welcomes Return of Carnival Elation Carnival Elation once again serves as the Jacksonville Port Authority’s (JAXPORT’s) homeported ship – with the 2,190-passenger vessel offering sailings to The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean. JAXPORT also welcomed Seven Seas Navigator for a one-time port-of-call visit in April. The 482-passenger vessel is operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Since resuming cruise operations in the spring, nearly 20,000 passengers have set sail from Jacksonville. Secon d Q ua r ter 202 2 | Travel & Cr uise 35