Eco-Friendly Cruises: Celebrity Solstice Steers towards Greener Horizon

With the entire world focusing attention upon developing more environmentally compatible technology, there is little wonder that the Celebrity Solstice was the star of a recent panel discussion in New York. Featured as a forerunner in greener cruise line vessels, the Celebrity Solstice stands out as a shining example of a more environmentally conscious industry.

A major concern driving the industry is fuel consumption of cruise ships. Inflated fuel costs have created the opportunity to create more fuel efficient vessels so as to ease demand and to keep costs lower for passengers, thereby encouraging cruise travel. The Celebrity Solstice, with an anticipated unveiling date of November, 2008, has been created specifically with a greener technology. A unique prototype, the Solstice began as eco-friendly during the design phase of development. The hull of the ship was designed before the passenger area, the opposite of standard design, in a method that should be the most fuel efficient as possible.

Small details have not been overlooked. LED lighting has been used on board Celebrity vessels for the past several years, and continues in its cost effective means of illumination on the Solstice. Solar panels have been integrated into the ship design to operate low powered items such as elevators. Increasing the efficiency of the ship’s air conditioning can be attributed to special window coatings.

Creating efficient methods of fuel consumption that are also cost efficient for the cruise line can be tricky. Eco-friendly solutions are a venture into uncharted territory for cruise ships, which can be costly. Over time, the savings realized through the use of the new methods should overcome the initial costs.

There was one item that participants of the panel discussion agreed upon wholeheartedly. While one single unit stepping up to make environmentally friendly changes is a good thing, everyone, industry and consumer, insisting upon eco-friendly changes would be the best thing.

Why not share your ideas with us at our cruise vacation forum? If you would like to plan your cruise vacation now is the time. Start by visiting our cruise planning guide today. It all begins with small steps. Make your dreams come alive by venturing out and sampling a cruise experience.