Going on a cruise can feel like a more eco-friendly solution to traveling compared to the thousands of air miles flying across the planet. However, that doesn’t mean that a cruise doesn’t come with its own carbon footprint.

If you want to put the planet first for now and future generations, follow these tips to ensure you’re as eco-friendly and ocean loving as possible.

Power Usage

As on land, your use of electricity affects the planet. Wasting electricity is a definite no-no if you want to help conserve the planet’s resources. Turn off or limit the use of lights, air conditioning and other electrical items if it’s not necessary to have them on.

Reusable Bottles

It’s no secret that plastic harming to the planet. While it usually feels that such a massive problem is too big for one person to handle or have an impact on, remember that plastic pollution is avoidable. Did you know that by 2040, the amount of plastic expected to end up in the planet’s oceans is estimated at 29 million metric tons!?

Have a guilt-free and plastic bottle-free cruise by bringing a stainless steel, reusable water bottle. If you can refill your reusable one, there’s no point in buying loads of plastic water bottles along the way. You’ll save yourself money, and you’ll be helping the unnecessary negative impact of plastic pollution.

Your Towels

If it feels like a holiday luxury to use a towel once, have housekeeping wash it, and offer you a new one, that’s because it is! It’s a luxury because, after just one use, a towel isn’t likely to be very dirty at all. And on a cruise full of hundreds of people, that’s a lot of towels and wasted water.

So do your bit for the planet, and instead of a new daily towel, just hang it on the handrails or behind the door so housekeeping knows not to offer you a new one. If for some reason they don’t, simply ask them – the same goes for bedsheets that may be changed daily.

Litter

Remember that littering on a cruise is the same as littering anywhere else! Per day, a cruise with approximately 6000 people can generate masses of waste, including 14 tons of dry waste.

So think before you buy: Should you buy the item covered in plastic wrapping? Think before you throw plastic in the rubbish: Can you recycle your wrappings?

And never litter. Any of it, no matter the size might end up into the ocean, and you’ll be responsible for polluting these beautiful places you visit.

And Finally…

Being an eco-friendly cruise passenger requires the same logic as being environmentally friendly on shore. Be considerate, think and take the responsibility seriously. It’s not difficult, even on holidays you’re ultimately sure to lessen your environmental impact – and inspire others to do the same.