Seatrade Insider’s 2012 Environmental Initiative Award Goes to… Disney Cruise Line

Seatrade Insider, an online business to business cruise portal read by top cruise line executives, held their 2012 Cruise Awards at Seatrade Med in Marseille, France this week.  The 16 member judging panel presented Disney Cruise Line with the Environmental Initiative Award.  This award goes to a company, organization or individual who has made a notable contribution to advance an environmental aspect of cruising.  The other finalists for this category were Holland America Line and Royal HaskoningDHV.  Disney Cruise Line’s Vice President of Marine and Technical Operations, Bert Swet was in attendance to accept the award.

Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards 2012 Logo

“Our persistent focus on innovative environmental initiatives starts with developing leading-edge fuel and energy efficiencies on our ships, but it doesn’t stop there,” said Bert Swets, vice president, marine and technical operations at Disney Cruise Line. “Our approach on shore extends to conservation and animal research efforts on our private island, Castaway Cay, inspiring and educating children and families to care about the environment, and engaging the communities in our ports of call.”

Seatrade Insider Presents Disney Cruise Line with the 2012 Environmental Initiative Award

Innovative Fuel and Energy Efficiencies

Disney Cruise Line made history as the first cruise line to use an innovative, non-toxic hull coating that increases fuel efficiency by reducing surface resistance in open water and continues to maximize fuel and energy efficiencies by automating onboard air conditioning systems for optimum use; re-purposing air conditioning condensation for both laundry and deck cleaning, saving tons of fresh water each day, and installing energy-efficient lighting.

The Magic's Bulbous Bow

Recycling

Across the four ships in the Disney fleet, more than 650 tons of metals, glass, plastic and paper are eliminated from traditional waste streams each year through recycling, more than 5,000 tons to date.

Onshore Activities

No other cruise line incorporates conservation and animal research quite like Disney does. On Castaway Cay, Disney researchers are conducting a multi-year project studying how transplanted long-spined sea urchins can rebuild coral reefs. Guests may participate in a hands-on training experience with live stingrays during a 60-minute, instructor-led educational program.

Creative Storytelling Inspires and Educates

Disney Cruise Line shares environmental programs and educates others as an integral part of the company’s goal to inspire children and adults to take environmental action in their everyday lives. Guests can take an exclusive backstage look at environmental efforts through the “Behind the Waves” video and see characters from “The Lion King” inspire environmental action by showcasing small steps everyone can take in “Safety Smart Goes Green.”

Disney strives to engage the communities in our ports of call in unique and memorable ways. By tapping into the company’s legendary storytelling, Disney created an activity booklet in cooperation with Friends of the Environment to inspire youth to learn more about protecting native species and ecology in The Bahamas. Disney Cruise Line sponsors and provides guidance for summer eco-camps in ports of call across The Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, Disney invites U.S. Forest Rangers to sail onboard each of our Alaskan voyages in order to offer lectures, host special children’s activities and engage guests in ways  that ultimately create a deeper appreciation and understanding of the local environment and wildlife.

You can read more about how Disney Cruise Line is dedicated to minimizing our impact on the environment through efforts focused on utilizing new technologies, increasing fuel efficiency, minimizing waste and promoting conservation worldwide in the Disney Cruise Line Environmental Fact Sheet.

Disney Cruise Line is dedicated to minimizing its impact on the environment through efforts focused on utilizing new technologies, increasing fuel efficiency, minimizing waste and supporting conservation worldwide.  This continued will be a necessity as a result of the North American Emission Control Area regulations.  Did you know that one of the dirtiest transportation fuels is that of a cruise ship.

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