“Crystal Clean” Cruising

More and more emphasis is being urged upon the world to be friendlier to the environment, and Crystal Cruises is working on doing their part with their recent association with the Hanger Network.

Cruise lines are continually striving to maintain their passengers’ enjoyment, well-being and above all else, safety. It was for this very reason that, under the threat of Hurricane Gustav, Carnival’s cruise ship Fantasy made the decision to extend the cruise from the original five nights to seven.

According to the LA Times Thursday July 25, 2008 California mandated that vessels use cleaner fuels or pay huge fines. The rule takes effect in 2009 and would require ships within 24 nautical miles of California to burn low-sulfur diesel instead of the tar-like sludge known as bunker fuel. This ruling of course affects cruise ships. So what is bunker fuel and how does it affect the environment and our health?

The environmental movement has made its’ way around the world. Literally, you’d have to be a semi-hermit not to know that being green has become a mainstream movement endorsed by celebrities and the media. Gone are the days of the tree-loving, granola eating subculture that was generally shunned by society.

Cruise ships have been described as floating resorts or floating cities. Like any resort or city, there is the question of how to treat and dispose waste. Wastes discharged from ships are sewage, grey water (i.e. laundries, showers and kitchen), solid waste (food and garbage) and waste from oil and grease. Diesel exhaust is also dispelled into the air. With cruise lines building bigger ships that will soon carry over 6,000 people, how do they get rid of all that waste?

The popularity of an Alaska cruise for the perfect family vacation just got better. Alaska has given a compliance order to cruise ships regarding wastewater discharge limits. Cruise ships have until 2010 to comply with the Alaska state Department of Environmental Conservation.