Responsible Cruiser

On 12/7/2019 at 10:44 AM, jubileebabe said:

I would be interested to know if anyone feels more should be done by cruisers and cruise companies to ameliorate the effect that cruising has on environmental issues.

I think about these issues too. A point of awakening for me was, when I visited Geiranger in Norway. They have installed a SeaWalk to get people off the ships (see pic below). The aim is to reduce emissions, quicker debark to increase time ashore. However, the cruise line I travelled with used diesel-powered tender boats to bring us ashore instead. There was only one ship but the smell of diesel fumes in the valley was horrible! Thankfully, the Norwegian government has now enforced stricter rules on emissions from cruise ships in the Geirangerfjord. So I guess, there are more environmentally friendly options to port development but that’s probably more expensive to build. I wonder how we can asvocate for a more envirionmentally friendly cruise indutsry?

2 hours ago, Teddy116 said:

But, with all the tragic events (weather, human, and animal) it seems so trivial to go on pleasure trips when so many are suffering.   I don't know what to do.

I can relate to this. While I understand that tourism generates income for many people, I am worried about how much my travelling contributes to climate change. I often feel guilty because of it.

It is extremely rare that Viking will ever comment publicly about its business decisions or business operations and they never take part in debates and discussions here on Cruise Critic. It is a privately-held company and is not required to explain itself to anyone except its handful of investors. Just read the few press releases that are posted on the Viking website and you will see how carefully the Viking message is controlled. This is the business model that Viking has chosen and if any of us here in this public forum don't like their business model, we are welcome not to cruise with them. No matter how controversial we think the topic, we are not entitled to answers or explanations and Viking management is not crazy enough to get into a shooting match with a bunch bloggers on social media.

 

 

If you don't like the way that Viking handles gratuities, you make ask to have them removed from your bill and then you may tip anyone you wish however you wish.

I guess you are right.

I was wondering if anyone ever contacted Viking or any other cruise line directly to ask about the way they distribute the service charges? Would be interesting to hear what they say.

Hi Keith,

Maybe I should have posed the question differently and mentioned that I googled it before I posted the question. Here are two of my favourite links:

http://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-to-cruise-with-a-conscience

http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/small-ship-cruising/travel-guide/responsible-cruising

Looking at my question again makes me sound rather lazy. I was just wondering whether you or the community was aware of a really good blog that concentrates on ways that makes cruising more sustainable. Basically what I was aiming at should have been more like; what are your favourite cruise blogs that discuss sustainability?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Hello community,

I am new to this community and I am looking for information on how to cruise more sustainably. Is there are blog/thread for that?

Thank you for your help :)