Published on 10/14/09

Cruising offers a great value for travelers that want an easy, all-inclusive vacation to an outstanding destination – and that’s not all! Due to advancements in fuel technology, recycling, waste management, and more, cruise travel is increasingly dedicated to giving the environment a break, too! On your next vacation, a cruise can be your secret to saving green while going green.

Several cruise lines have developed responsible practices, self-regulating committees, and internal awards programs to ensure that they are doing their part for the environment. By taking advantage of their advancements, you can travel guilt-free while enjoying the vacation of your dreams.

• Royal Caribbean has recently selected the Liberty of the Seas as their ‘Environmental Ship of the Year’ and ‘Environmentally Innovative Ship of the Year’ due to the creation of onboard water and energy-saving teams and the staff’s dedication to reducing waste, increasing recycling, and saving energy.
   
• MSC Cruises is a leader in environmentally friendly cruising and has been awarded the ‘Six Golden Pearls’ recognition by the Bureau Veritas for high quality management and environmental protection.
   
• Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Mercury has been named as the cruise line’s ‘Environmental Ship of the Year’ and the Celebrity Infinity was selected as the ‘Environmentally Innovative Ship of the Year’. The staff of the Celebrity Mercury has even encouraged several countries along its itineraries to begin recycling, as well.
   
• Norwegian Cruise Lines has joined a program called ‘cold ironing’ where the cruise line’s ships use local electricity to stay powered in port rather than idling in order to minimize engine exhaust. The cruise line has also donated thousands of gallons of used vegetable oil to farmers for use in bio-diesel machinery.

In addition to what the cruise lines are doing to go green, there are things you can do to save money and spare the environment yourself! One great tip is to find out if nearby cruising is possible for you. By skipping air transportation and driving to the nearest cruise port for your next vacation, you can avoid the additional costs of air travel, and reduce your travel footprint by staying on the ground! You might be surprised to find how close the nearest homeport is to you.

To save more green while going green onboard these environmentally-conscious cruise lines, as an America’s Vacation Center guest, you can enjoy special offers that ensure the best value on your next cruise vacation.

• Onboard Royal Caribbean, guests can enjoy a Free Coupon Book on select sailings onboard the environmentally friendly Liberty of the Seas.
   
• In addition to MSC Cruises’ commitment to the environment, you can also enjoy great prices on select sailings when you book with America’s Vacation Center.
   
• Celebrity Cruises offers America’s Vacation Center guests outstanding value onboard its industry-leading ships, the Celebrity Mercury and Celebrity Infinity.
   
• With Norwegian Cruise Lines’ responsible ships and America’s Vacation Center, you can benefit from onboard savings with a Free Coupon Book offered on select sailings.

Contact your America’s Vacation Center Personal Vacation Planner today to see how you can save green while going green on the guilt-free cruise vacation of your dreams!

For more information, call 1-888-447-8459 and mention Discount Code 9094# to speak with an AVC Personal Vacation Planner today!