9 ways you can be a more responsible cruise passenger (Lonely Planet)
Excerpts
‘Aiming to put pressure on cruise lines to improve their environmental credentials, Friends of the Earth have produced a ‘report card’ that ranks major operators against different environmental criteria using a simple scoring system. It’s worth checking out the company you’re thinking of booking with to gain a rough idea of how they’re doing, but do take the data with a pinch of (sea) salt – it isn’t always completely up-to-date.’
‘Although the word ‘cruise’ invariably conjures mental images of gargantuan liners carving through the world’s oceans, the variety of cruise itineraries on offer today is staggering. More companies are introducing ‘small cruise’ holidays, whereby fewer passengers travel on smaller vessels to lesser-known, less busy destinations. Not only do these side-step the issue of popular-port overcrowding, such cruises often run programmes dedicated to investing in local communities and encouraging passengers to spend their holiday fund with local businesses and initiatives.’