 |
|
|
|
|
|
Royal Caribbean International operates some of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world. Because we understand our responsibility to protect the oceans we sail, we abide by strict "Above and Beyond Compliance" environmental policies.
We demonstrate environmental stewardship and sustainability by using management systems that meet voluntary international standards, including ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 quality and environmental standards. In fact, Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to use an environmental management system certified to the ISO 14001 standard.
In addition, each of our ships has an environmental officer responsible for:
Oversight of the company's onboard environmental program
Environmental training for every crew member
Liquid and solid hazardous- and non-hazardous waste management
Chemical management and workplace safety
Royal Caribbean's environmental policies guide both shipboard and shoreside employees in safe environmental practices day-to-day. From our Board of Directors, to our newest employee, from the captain to each crewmember, we are responsible stewards of the marine environment and the ports we visit.
Recent Awards and Recognition
Royal Caribbean has been recognized throughout the regions we operate for environmental responsibility. Here are just a few of the awards we have received:
 |
Excellence in Environmental Engineering Award, American Academy of Environmental Engineers, 2004 |
|
Environmental Life Buoy Award — Jewel of the Seas, Port of Stockholm, 2004-2007 |
|
Best Eco-Friendly Cruise Line, Porthole Cruise Magazine, 2002 through 2006 |
|
Gold Environmental Award in San Francisco and Vancouver for numerous ships |
|
Kuoni Travel’s Green Planet Award for many ships |
Marine Conservation and Outreach
Royal Caribbean works with a diverse group of organizations to maximize our environmental stewardship. We also have activities onboard our ships that promote the well-being of our oceans.
For example, Royal Caribbean International and the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science joined forces in late 2000 in an unprecedented collaboration to study the ocean and atmosphere. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation also are involved in this unique alliance.
Equipped with a high-tech atmospheric and oceanographic lab, Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas is helping scientists find answers to some of today's most pressing questions about ocean and climate research.
Explorer of the Seas has sailed itineraries that cover much of the Caribbean and Gulf Stream current, along the U.S. coast and Western Atlantic out to Bermuda. Scientists onboard studied pollutants in the air and sea, measured the flow of currents to understand the balance and distribution of heat on the planet, collected data for ocean and hurricane models, and monitored important, but hard-to-measure, populations of sea organisms.
Although the focus of the laboratories is long-term scientific study and analysis, NOAA and National Hurricane Center forecasters also use the data to improve storm track predictions. Today, this program has evolved into an automated system that continues to track data.
One of our most successful outreach initiatives is the Ocean Fund. Established in 1996 by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, the fund has awarded nearly $10 million to marine conservation organizations who help protect the ecosystems of the world's oceans.
For budding scientific minds, Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean program offers children and teens hands-on science experiments involving the environment.
As a member of the Cruise Lines International Association, Royal Caribbean participates in the group’s technical and environmental committees. CLIA and its member lines have established voluntary industry environmental management standards that exceed international and local regulations.
Royal Caribbean is also a member of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and North West CruiseShip Association, which represents cruise lines in the Caribbean, and Pacific Northwest, Alaska, British Columbia, Canada and Hawaii. These associations have developed environmental Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). In the MOU, member cruise lines agree to exceed international and local requirements to protect the sensitive reefs and waters of Florida and the Caribbean as well as the Pacific Region.
|
|
|
|
|
My Cruises
Site Search
Royal Caribbean Certified Vacation Planner
Download our onboard 
