Making Waves: How ships are shaping up in a responsible world

Cruising has always been about indulgence: waking up to new horizons, sipping champagne at sunset, and discovering the world in style. Historically, indulgence has meant luxury at any cost, which has inevitably led to environmental and social sacrifice.

Today, we can see the huge iceberg ahead of us if this continues, and to keep the ships afloat, change and responsible actions are needed. Leading cruise lines are proving that luxury and sustainability can sail side by side, with innovations that protect the oceans and communities they visit. Some are further ahead than others, but steps in the right direction are steps to be celebrated and built upon. Here are just five ways the industry is charting a greener course:

1. Ships designed with nature in mind

Celebrity Florais is a purpose-built ship for the Galápagos. Instead of dropping anchors that damage fragile sea beds, it uses a dynamic positioning system to hover gently in place. Solar panels help power the ship, and its sleek design reduces fuel consumption. It’s proof that thoughtful engineering can protect the very destinations we long to explore.

Sea Cloud has impressive traditional sails and tries to harness the power of the wind wherever it can to limit fuel usage.

2. Waste-free voyages

On Silversea’sSilver Origin, non-organic waste is shipped back to mainland Ecuador for recycling, with nothing being left behind on the islands. Across the industry, plastic straws and single-use items are disappearing, replaced by smarter, eco-friendly alternatives.

It‘s all hot air! Well, Virgin Voyages has decided to turn that big frown upside down. It‘s transforming heat from the ships‘ engines into clean energy, purifying wastewater so that it’s even clean enough to drink!

3. Cleaner energy, clearer skies

Hurtigruten has become a pioneer in using biofuels and advanced catalytic systems that reduce harmful emissions. Other cruise lines are investing in engines that can adapt to future sustainable fuels, with a shared goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Cleaner energy means clearer skies and a healthier planet for generations to come.

Ponantis is thinking big. It‘s developing a transoceanic sailing ship, aiming for zero emissions, and it aims to have this in operation by 2030. Its existing ships already incorporate technology to reduce their environmental footprint. For instance, ships like the icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot use a hybrid-electric system, powered by Liquefied Natural Gas and batteries. This allows for zero-emission operation in sensitive polar regions or ports. It has also successfully trialled B100 biofuel, produced from recycled cooking oils!

4. Protecting the places we love

From the Galápagos to the Arctic, cruise companies are working hand-in-hand with scientists and conservationists . Celebrity Cruises carries certified naturalists on every sailing, ensuring guests understand the ecosystems they’re visiting. Hurtigruten supports global research projects, turning its ships into floating laboratories. These efforts mean your holiday isn’t just about seeing the world, it’s about safeguarding it.

I sailed with Swan Hellenic last year, and we visited places off the beaten track. No queue of ships waiting to dock and flood the nearest towns, just remote Robinson Crusoe beaches! The SH Diana carries fewer than 200 passengers, so there is never a huge influx of people. We took part in Citizen Science on board, enjoyed lectures on the history of the places we were visiting and enjoyed experiencing local cultures. We enjoyed dancing with local people, were actively encouraged to buy their handcrafted goods (not that it took much persuasion!), we painted our skin with their cultural tattoos and were very lucky to have a Q&A with local leaders. For cruising to be responsible, it's not just about the tech but about local involvement and how we look after and work with nature and people.

5. A taste of place: Local & sustainable dining

Cruises are leaning more toward sourcing food locally and creating dishes that reflect the regions they sail through. Imagine savouring freshly caught seafood in Norway or Ecuadorian specialities in the Galápags. It's about menus that celebrate local culture while reducing the carbon footprint of imported goods. Hurtigruten is even working toward zero food waste, proving that sustainability can be delicious!

Sustainability isn’t limited to ocean cruises. On the river, Uniworld has embraced innovation with the Leanpath waste‑tracking system. It helps chefs learn how to reduce the amount of food waste produced and has cut this by around 40%, saving the equivalent of just over 185,000 meals from waste!

The future of cruising

Luxury travel is evolving, and sustainability is no longer an afterthought; it's front and centre. Whether it’s solar panels, landfill-free operations, or biofuel-powered ships, these initiatives show that the industry is serious about protecting the oceans it depends on. There is a long way to go, but steps are being made in he right direction. Travellers can make a difference too with the ships they choose to sail on, where they buy their souvenirs, and how they interact with the environments they visit. Responsible travel means just that. It's about us all taking action, not finger-pointing, and together we can move towards a more positive travel experience.