Cruise Ships and the Environment

Beautiful, clear waters and crystal clear skies are as much a part of the magic of cruising as the ships themselves. Cruise lines are committed to preserving and protecting the environment that is, after all, essential to their success. U.S. and international regulations and the industry's own voluntary standards place cruise ships at the forefront of environmental protection efforts in the travel and maritime industries.

• According to recent independent studies, cruise ships are not a major contributor to maritime pollution but are committed to being a large part of the solution.

• In U.S. waters, cruise ships must abide by U.S. laws and regulations enforced by the EPA, Department of Justice, the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Coast Guard.

• Cruise lines must also meet international regulations established by the International Maritime Organization that protect the environment, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and the International Safety Management Code (ISM).

• The members of the International Council of Cruise Lines follow stringent standards that meet or exceed all U.S. and international standards for environmental compliance. The U.S. Coast Guard uses these guidelines when conducting their routine certification inspections to ensure ships are in compliance with these standards.

All cruise lines operating in American waters must comply with all U.S. environmental laws and international regulations designed to protect the environment.

• ICCL cruise lines have adopted a policy of zero discharge of wastewater into coastal waters unless effluent is treated by advanced wastewater purification systems and have implemented waste management and recycling programs more advanced that most of the cities and ports where cruise ships operate.

• In addition, individual ships have committed themselves to protecting the environment by instituting crew training programs and passenger information procedures, state of the art grinding and incineration equipment, clean-air diesel and gas turbine engines and similar "green" environment practices.

• In December 2003, the Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance (OCTA) was formed between the International Council of Cruise Lines and Conservation international to protect bio diversity in top cruise destinations and to promote industry best practices to minimize the cruise industry's environmental impact. Through this partnership, the cruise industry continues to be on the leading edge in the development of environmental technology and in establishing ground-breaking environmental policies.

• Some cruise lines are joining forces with colleges, universities and institutes to fund and inaugurate ocean study programs. Many also participate in grassroots initiatives, such as beach cleanups in Florida and the Caribbean.

Cruise lines are committed to preserving and protecting our waters - it is essential to our success and survival.