How Can Cruise Be Made Sustainable?

As travellers grow more eco-conscious, some wonder if luxury cruising can align with responsible environmental practices. Can you have the best of both worlds?

The answer is a resounding yes. At Scott Dunn, we work with a carefully curated collection of luxurious cruise lines that are not only maintaining their high standards of service and comfort but also leading the way in environmental innovation. Below, we explore six of our prestigious cruise partners, proving that sustainability and luxury can sail hand in hand.

Explora Journeys: Where Innovation Meets Elegance

Explora Journeys is setting a new standard in eco-luxury travel. Partnering with Fincantieri, this forward-thinking cruise line is committed to building ships that represent the future of sustainability without compromising the high-end experience travellers expect. On board, guests are surrounded by elegant design, world-class dining, and personalized service, all while knowing that their ship is equipped with some of the most advanced eco-technologies.

With hybrid power generation capabilities and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, Explora's ships reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%. Single-use plastics are nowhere to be found—onboard or during land excursions—and each ship is RINA Dolphin certified to minimize underwater noise, protecting marine life. Yet, despite these impressive eco-features, luxury remains paramount. Guests can enjoy oceanfront suites with panoramic views, Michelin-quality dining, and spa experiences, all while contributing to a greener future.

Oceania Cruises: Slow Cruising, Grand Comforts

Oceania Cruises has mastered the art of slow, sustainable travel while maintaining an unparalleled level of luxury. Known for its intimate ships and exquisite culinary offerings, Oceania is also a leader in eco-friendly cruising through its Sail & Sustain program. By slowing down and taking more scenic routes, the line reduces fuel consumption, making your voyage more environmentally friendly.

Despite the focus on sustainability, guests are never short of indulgence. Each ship offers spacious suites, lavish common areas, and world-class gourmet experiences crafted by renowned chefs. Oceania also emphasizes responsible sourcing, contributing to local economies at every stop.

Ponant Cruises: Immersive Exploration in Eco-Friendly Style

Ponant Cruises takes you to some of the planet's most remote and untouched destinations in total luxury—while keeping a light environmental footprint. This French cruise line prides itself on responsible travel, offering small, boutique ships that combine cutting-edge technology with refined elegance. Guests are treated to intimate, luxury accommodations and unique expeditions, whether traversing Antarctica's icy landscapes or snorkelling in the turquoise waters of the South Pacific.

Ponant's vessels, designed to minimize emissions and waste, use low-sulphur marine diesel and switch to electric batteries in protected areas. The onboard experience is no less luxurious, with every cabin boasting ocean views and a dedicated butler service. Add to that a fleet recognized for its quiet operation and minimal environmental disruption, and Ponant proves that responsible travel and high-end comfort can go hand in hand.

Seabourn Cruises: Eco-Conscious Elegance

Seabourn Cruises is synonymous with luxury, but the company has gone above and beyond to ensure eco-friendly practices match its indulgent experiences. Their ships are equipped with advanced energy-efficient engines and waste management systems, ensuring your voyage is both luxurious and environmentally sound.

Seabourn's ships offer lavish suites, gourmet dining, and spa services that rival the world's top hotels. Meanwhile, guests can feel good knowing that Seabourn supports marine conservation by partnering with UNESCO's World Heritage Marine Programme. Whether you're lounging by the pool or enjoying a meal prepared by a Michelin-starred chef, Seabourn's commitment to sustainability ensures that the environment benefits as much as you do.

Silversea: Ultra-Luxury with a Green Mission

Silversea is known for offering some of the most luxurious cruise experiences in the world, but its commitment to sustainability is equally impressive. From the Galapagos Islands to the Arctic, Silversea's ships have been designed with both comfort and the environment in mind. Their latest vessel, Silver Origin, operates with a dynamic positioning system to avoid damaging delicate seabeds and features freshwater purification systems to reduce plastic use. Onboard, travellers are pampered with butler service, gourmet dining, and spacious suites with private balconies.

The Silversea Fund for the Galapagos allows guests to directly contribute to conservation efforts while still enjoying the ultimate luxury. Passenger donations support education and conservation projects in the islands—and to encourage guests to give generously, Silversea matches guest contributions in the form of a future cruise credit. With Silversea, you can explore the world's most pristine destinations while ensuring those environments remain protected for generations.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: A New Era of Sustainable Yachting

The Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with luxury, and its new Yacht Collection offers the same unparalleled service—this time, at sea. But beyond the sumptuous suites, fine dining, and personalised experiences, these yachts also boast some of the most advanced environmental technologies available. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is equipped with Evac systems for energy-efficient wastewater treatment and freshwater generation, making them some of the most sustainable yachts in the world.

Guests onboard these floating sanctuaries enjoy the best of both worlds: eco-conscious cruising and the trademark Ritz-Carlton luxury, from Michelin-starred cuisine to an indulgent spa. The smaller size of the yachts allows them to visit environmentally protected destinations with minimal impact, allowing guests to explore lesser-known ports while treading lightly.

The future of cruising is bright—and green

Travel on board one of our carefully curated cruises, and set sail knowing that your journey is not only one of luxury and relaxation but also one that contributes to the preservation of our planet's most precious ecosystems. The oceans may be vast, but the steps being taken by these cruise lines are ensuring that they remain vibrant for generations of travellers to come.