Sailing Sustainably into a Greener Tomorrow
River cruising is surging in popularity, and is expected to continue growing by 12% by 2028. With many passengers seeking the luxurious and relaxing travel experience that river cruising has to offer, it’s time to charter a greener course.
Travel cruise operators are now recognising the crucial role they must play in fostering sustainable tourism. So many are implementing greener initiatives, so we can all enjoy the scenic beauty our world has to offer for many more years to come.
Here at AG River Cruises, we are excited to announce our partnership with John Good Group. This collaboration will enable us to carry on providing our guests with a luxurious travel experience whilst also looking after our planet. John Good Group have implemented a “planet-first approach” aiming for themselves and the businesses they invest in to become carbon-neutral. They work with companies who are dedicated to improving their practices to protect our planet. We are delighted to have received this opportunity and are looking forward to creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Although river cruising is one of the greenest ways to travel for a number of reasons:
- Less carbon emissions are produced as the vessels are smaller than their cousins the ocean cruise.
- Local communities are supported when ships dock at towns and ports.
- HVO fuel is used which can help C02 emissions and improve air quality.
The river cruise industry has acknowledged that there is still a long way to go to create a sustainable future. At AG we take our responsibility to the environment seriously, and so do our partners. That’s why we’ve created a Green Guide for each of our key partners, showcasing how they are navigating their way to a greener future.
A-ROSA’s sustainable cruise
A-ROSA Cruises are sailing a chartered course towards a sustainable future. In 2022, they launched their innovative new ship the A-ROSA SENA, an E-motion vessel designed to use a diesel and electrical engine combined with a battery, which stores excess energy during sailing. This enables the ship to dock without creating noise or local emissions.
The AROSA-SENA ship has introduced greener initiatives including;
- The buffet restaurant responsibly sources ingredients.
- The kid’s club uses natural materials, solvent-free paints, and toys made from wood.
- Using AdBlue with particulate filters to treat exhaust gases and reduce emission of nitrogen oxide by 75%
- A system to treat wastewater ensuring sewage sludge is disposed of correctly in ports by certified companies.
A-ROSA are also taking measures to support their surrounding communities by;
- Staying in central ports for longer to help boost the local economy.
- All employees receive fair wages.
- They also support local organisations, clubs, and causes in Rostock.
Their commitment to sustainability has led them to receive the Green Award for six of their ships. The reward is given to river cruise operators as recognition for their leading performance in safety and environmental standards.
Steering AMADEUS to a greener future
For over 40 years, AMADEUS River Cruises has led the way in sustainable river cruising. Committed to environmental protection, they launched their first ship with eco-friendly standards long before it became a common industry practice. Since then, they have received the Green Award for their impact on sustainability.
To sail towards a green horizon, AMADEUS have committed to improving their practices by:
Using shore-powered electricity
- When docked and if possible, their ships are connected to the on-site energy grid via Powerlock. This allows AMADEUS to reduce noise and waste in surrounding areas.
- Onboard each ship, energy-efficient technology is utilised to reduce energy consumption.
Lowering emissions
- New AMADEUS ships have been fitted with engines that reduce fuel consumption.
- Each vessel has been fitted with an innovative Fleet Controlling System which ensures fuel consumption is reduced by automatically travelling at a lower speed.
Flowing green
- AMADEUS ships are equipped with water treatment plants which use a microfiltration system to recycle all the water used onboard.
- Towels are reused onboard each ship.
Recycling plastic
- Across AMADEUS’ ships disposable plastic cannot be found. That is why soap and shampoo dispensers are in every bathroom, glass bottles are in every cabin, and paper straws are found in the bar.
- AMADEUS want to introduce Tetra Pak water containers for excursions to further reduce plastic water bottles.
- Their waste management system ensures disposable waste is repurposed.
Sailing towards a greener future
AMADEUS have taken impressive strides to improve sustainable cruising, as they believe “it’s a way of life” and “not just a buzz word.” Therefore, they are developing their strategies to become even more eco-friendly in the future. To do this, they want to introduce advanced technologies to reduce energy use and emissions.
In 2025, they are launching their brand new AMADEUS Amara, which will combine luxury cruising and innovative design to create an unforgettable, eco-conscious journey along Europe’s most breath-taking rivers. The ship will feature a lightweight construction and will be a low draft that will reduce fuel consumption because of its reduced water resistance.
AMADEUS River Cruises are creating waves in the industry with their commitment to sustainability and innovative designs, creating a luxury river cruising experiences for all guests.
AmaWaterways’ eco-friendly ships
AmaWaterways has been leading the way in sustainable river cruising, setting new standards in the industry since 2020, with their innovative eco-friendly innovations. So much so, the AmaKristina ship was the first river cruise to be presented with the Green Award certification. Since then, AmaWaterways has propelled themselves even further as green leaders, as 19 of their additional ships have also been recognised for this award.
Their innovatively created sustainable ships have been designed to include;
- Energy-saving LED lights
- Insulated windows which reduce the need for heating and cooling allowing the vessels to save energy
- Power locks which are plugged into each port’s power supply, replacing running generators
- Solar heating systems
- A microfiltration system onboard to recycle used water.
Onboard life has also become greener;
- AmaWaterways have introduced a zero plastic zone onboard; with paper straws replacing those made of plastic, refillable glass water bottles in every stateroom, and recyclable Tetra Pak water containers being provided for excursions.
- On board the European fleets food waste has been reducing by replacing large-scale buffers with a la carte lunches.
- Through the launch of AmaWaterways myAmaCruise app, paper consumption has been reduced with all documents being located on the app.
AmaWaterways’ commitment to sustainability isn’t limited to their ships, they also partner and curate the itinerary of destinations by visiting cities that share the same commitment to protecting the natural ecosystems.
Avalon Waterways: Navigating a better tomorrow
Avalon Waterways has been illuminating captivating destinations to explorers for over a century. By discovering the wonders of the world, they have gained knowledge and compassion for the planet we live on. That is why Avalon have committed to shedding a light on the organisations who are caring for our planet and people. They are dedicated to joining causes to give back by helping conservation and preservation.
That is why they created the Avalon Waterways Lighthouse project, an initiative that supports causes that are creating a better tomorrow by looking after our planet and people. By partnering with Trees4life they are supporting our biodiversity and indigenous communities whilst reducing carbon emissions by planting trees on behalf of each Avalon guest.
Some of the environment-focused initiatives they support include;
- Wildlife Conservation Network, Lion Recovery Fund
- South African Parks Honorary Rangers
- Ecostyle Reforestation and Conservation Project
Some of the people-focused organisations they support include;
- Landmine design – a jewellery company dedicated to improving the lives of women living in poverty.
- UNICEF
- Rural Aid
- Pathways Project
- The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
- Friends International
Illuminating the past, navigating the future
History is an important aspect used to understand our world. It helps us comprehend who we are and the changes we need to make. It also stands to represent what we have to lose. That is why through the Lighthouse Project, Avalon Waterways is committed to preserving the places and monuments we visit today so that future generations can enjoy the same monuments for years to come.
Some of the sights they support include;
- National Civil Rights Museum, Tennessee
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
- Yosemite National Park, Nevada, California
- Squamish Lil’Wat Centre, British Columbia
- USS Arizona Memorial, Hawaii
Avalon has also made changes to the way they cruise. Their ships now include;
- Technology to limit energy consumption and emissions
- Digital communication which has reduced paper waste by 80% onboard
- No usage single-use plastics
- Locally produced foods to help support farmers and reduce carbon footprint
- LED lighting used throughout each ship
- Shore power when docked to reduce emissions
Looking towards a brighter tomorrow
Avalon is navigating towards a greener horizon by pledging to:
- Use bio-fuel, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 50%
- Utilise electric bow thrusters
- Remove all paper waste
- Partner with more destinations to generate sustainable electricity when docked.
- Unveil the first completely electric river cruise vessel.
CroisiEurope’s sustainable journey
CroisiEurope is committed to acting beyond their legal obligation to fulfil sustainability standards and continuously looks for ways to sail green. By working with their Partner AS Energy, they have already reduced their emissions by switching to GTL fuel. This is because Gas-to-liquid fuels combust more uniformly.
It is important, that as a community, we look after our waters as this industry would seek to exist without them. At CroisiEurope they understand this and have implemented many initiatives to ensure the rivers we sail on are protected.
To do this they have:
- Installed water-saving devices on ships which reduces freshwater consumption by 35%
- Installed onboard water fountains which has saved 30 tons of plastic from being discarded each year
- Implemented a Wastewater Evacuation Systems to ensure wastewater is emptied in treatment facilities.
Some other initiatives CroisiEurope have introduced include:
- Insulated ventilation which reduces noise pollution
- New technology that helps limit fuel consumption
- Providing electric buses when visiting Paris which are quieter and reduce pollution
- Environmentally friendly printing by using vegetable based inks on unbleached paper
- Separating and transforming food waste into biogas by specialised companies
- Used engine oil is recycled by specialists.
- Environmentally-friendly cleaning products are used across all ships
- Biodegrable paper straws and cups have replaced plastic.
For their dedication to sustainability CroisiEurope have been awarded the Green Award for five of their fleets.
The Responsible Travel Pillars of Riviera Travel
Riviera Travel is committed to giving back to the communities they visit. They believe it is important to protect the world we live in so we can carry on exploring its beauty. That’s why Riviera Travel follow a solid Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, to ensure they are doing their bit to protect our planet. In response, they have crafted the four Responsible Travel Pillars, which helps them to leave a positive mark on the environment without sacrificing their guests experience.
The Responsible Travel Pillars include:
Sustainability
Riviera have set an ambitious target of halving their plastic and paper use by 2025. To achieve this goal, they are using digital documents and creating digital brochures, as well as replacing plastic luggage tags with reusable ones.
Operating ethically
They have created a Supplier Ethics Policy to illustrate to their partners of how they should conduct themselves, and have created a Hotel Sustainability Checklist to measure the sustainability impact of hotel partners.
Carbon footprint
By working with eCollective, Riviera Travel are aiming to reduce their carbon footprint by 20% within five years.
Charity
For every guest who travels with Riviera they donate £1 to their partner Practical Action, a charity that supports people living in poverty. Passengers also have the opportunity to donate themselves by rounding up their booking.
Scenic & Emerald
Scenic and Emerald aim to have a big impact on the communities they visit whilst leaving a small footprint behind. That is why they have created the Cherish the Planet programme which implements environmentally friendly practices and protects the communities Scenic and Emerald visit.
Through their programme Scenic and Emerald have achieved;
- Providing clean water to the Chiro village in Kampong Cham Province Cambodia
- Constructing sanitation blocks in the Yandabo village along the Irrawaddy river
- Supporting a Kenyan primary school
- Supplying clothing and food health supplies.
To minimise their footprint Scenic and Emerald have made many changes to their ships including;
- Installing an advanced propulsion system to minimise noise and vibration ensuring ships don’t disturb marine life
- Implementing dynamic positioning which diminishes the need for anchoring as it allows the ship to maintain its position, protecting the sea floor from damage
- Using the lightest grade of marine fuel to reduce sulphur emissions by up to 95%
- Treating wastewater before it is released to prevent contamination
- Filtering the exhaust using water to ensure no pollution is emitted
- Plastic bottles and straws have been removed from onboard and guests are now offered a free refillable bottle as well as refillable toiletries being found in suites
- Produce is sourced from local markets and ingredients can be found on the onboard herb garden.
TUI’s sustainability commitment
TUI have pledge to become a net-zero company by 2050, and have committed to reducing emissions for their airline and cruise ships by 2030. To do this they are focusing on four key areas including; reducing emissions, supporting local communities, protecting the natural world, and waste reduction.
Most of TUI’s sustainable initiatives are currently focusing on their airline and hotels, however they have introduced some eco-friendly changes to their ships which include;
- No plastic straws
- Reusable bottles
- Recycling bins onboard each ship
- Donating old furniture to local charities in the Netherlands
- Using recycled finishing nets to create carpets.
TUI have also joined the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative to remove single-use plastics.
Uniworld: Sustainable ships
If you have travelled with Uniworld previously then you may already be aware of the sustainable changes they’ve implemented, including their onboard QR code for information. But if you’re new to Uniworld and are looking for a river cruise experience that blends luxury with sustainability, they might be the perfect choice for you.
Using the same technology, Uniworld is reducing paper onboard. To do so, they are providing passengers with a QR code available to scan through their mobiles to see daily programmes and city maps. Whilst onshore, passengers also have the opportunity to go on a #Maketravelmatter experience, an excursion chosen for the positive environmental or social impact it has on the visiting city. More so, each tour adheres to strict animal welfare policies.
Meanwhile on board each ship, Uniworld have drastically changed their amenities to reduce wastage. They have done this by;
- Using refillable bottles
- Replacing plastic laundry bags with linen bags
- Asking passengers to inform housekeeping when they want towels and bed linens to be washed, in order to save water
- Making slippers completely compostable and from natural materials such as bamboo
- Omitting single-use plastic packaging amenities
- Fitting shower heads and faucets with water savers. This means with every shower taken 40% of water is saved
A taste of sustainability
When onboard a Uniworld ship, all ingredients found are organic and locally sourced to support local farmers and economies. They have also partnered with Leanpath to measure and reduce food waste.
Uniworld are committed to being net-zero by 2050.
Viking River Cruises sustainable partnerships
Viking River Cruises is living up to its name by partnering with researchers on vital expeditions to advance sustainable practices in river cruising. They are creating sustainable waves in the industry by partnering with;
Akvaplan Niva
- An organisation in which scientists carry out research on water-related issues
- On board the ships used for research, ferry boxes are installed to sample water providing scientists with information about oxygen levels, temperature, and other data.
When we think of climate change we usually picture melting ice sheets in Antarctica. This is because it is one of the most fragile and vulnerable regions that can be effected by climate change. The ocean surrounding the continent is home to a high percentage of the world’s sea life, from the largest animals in the ocean to the tiny plankton that begin the food chain. That is why Viking River Cruises recognise the importance of protecting this place. Dubbed the ‘world’s most important natural laboratory’ by the WWF, Antarctica’s thick ice sheets provides us with essential information about our planet’s climate.
Viking River Cruises hold a membership with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and Association of Artic Expedition Cruise Operators. This enables them to offer passengers a once in a lifetime opportunity with guided expeditions to Antarctica and the Artic, allowing both passengers and researcher can explore this region safely whilst also promoting awareness and supporting science so that future generations can explore the wonders of the polar region.
Viking river cruises are leading the expeditions towards a greener future through their research with:
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, who are regular visitors on board Viking’s expedition vessels to undertake post-doctoral research and provide guests with information and advice to improve their experiences.
By working with the Polar Citizen Science Collective, Viking River cruises are creating opportunities for research and education allowing us to enhance our understanding of the polar regions and how best to protect it.
Bridging the worlds of river cruising and polar exploration, Viking River Cruises are navigating rivers and icy waters alike, supporting groundbreaking research in the pristine polar regions.
Tauck’ sustainable sponsorships
For over 60 years Tauck have been giving back to the community. By preserving their cultural heritage, they are ensuring that future generations are able to explore the scenic beauty our world has to offer. Their commitment can be traced back to Arthur Tauck Jr, who donated to preserve the bell tower of the old North Church in Boston – a landmark that has become a defining chapter in Tauck’s story, as it was the monument Tauck’s first guests visited in 1925.
Aiming to leave behind a large social impact and small footprint, Tauck have partnered with many organisations to ensure authentic local experiences will educate their guests and protect cultural heritage. To do this they have partnered with:
Just a drop
In the rural village of Trapeang Svay, Cambodia, preventable diseases are destroying families. In this area clean water and sanitation is scarce to come by. To help combat this avoidable situation, Tauck are providing better sanitation and hygiene by constructing latrines. They are also providing clean water through biosand filters which remove the harmful pathogens and provide clean, easily accessed water. Community Wash training is also provided to teach villagers about water, sanitation and hygiene.
Save the rain
Tauck have partnered with Save the Rain to provide villages, in Tanzania, with 40 residential rainwater harvesting systems. This initiative has provided more than 1,000 individuals with clean water, and enabled children, who had no choice but to sacrifice their education by spending their days walking for water, attend school. Since the systems were installed school attendance has increased by 95%.
Before the rainwater harvesting systems were implemented, women and children were heavily impacted, with many women having to walk 3 to 6 hours each day in search of water—a treacherous journey that often ended without success. This initiative has made a positive difference health and education.
Ehreshoven Foundation
The Ehreshoven Foundation was founded in 1923 as a monastery within the castle to help elderly impoverished women. Tauck has been a supporter of this foundation for almost 10 years, and provided funding through their exclusive visits to Schloss Ehreshoven on select Rhine cruises. This initiative not only supports the women of this area but protects the environment in the preservation of local woodlands and sustainable forestry.
Sailing green with Syclla
Tauck’s sustainable journey begins from within. They have partnered with Syclla, who aim to look after their guests without compromising the environment.
To do this they:
- Regularly clean the hull to ensure low water resistance while sailing
- Use cleaner-burning diesel fuel to reduce emissions
- Use reusable water bottles
- New water filters and systems ensure untreated wastewater is not emitted
- Use LED technology and solar panels.
APT responsible travel
The APT Travel group are taking responsibility for the planet. Minimising their footprint while maximising their social and culture awareness, they are encouraging sustainable travel with all of the AGT companies, Travelmarvel, TravelGo, Captain’s Choice, and Botanica World Discoveries.
To maximise their impact, AGT have create the OneTomorrow Charitable Fund. The charity aims to make a positive environmental and social impact. The three goals APT focus on include: Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education and Life on the Land.
To positively impact surrounding communities and the environment APT have chosen to partake in the following initiatives:
OneTomorrow’s Guest Giving programme
Allows passengers to personally support projects from all across the world. When guests donate to the charity, APT match the fund to help double the impact. Donations can be made by selecting a specific cause or donating directly to OneTomorrow who will choose the cause for the guest. So how did APT pick their causes? Each initiative was selected from meticulous research by local experts for their impact on the community. Every donation made will be matched.
Wunan Foundation
APT have been collaborating with Wunan for over 15 years. A community-based foundation helping indigenous communities in East Kimberley, Wunan offers employment opportunities and assists with financial investment by developing wilderness lodges for these communities.
Plant-a-Tree Scheme
APT have chosen to go digital when possible, the new normal in the modern world we live in. They aim for guests to be able to opt in to receiving their travel documents electronically. By choosing paper-free, the OneTomorow charitable Fund will plant a tree in communities who have been struck by bush-fires.
Results that resonate
OneTomorrow has had a resounding impact on communities near and far. Their fantastic achievements include:
- A $12,000 donation to one of the charities they support, the Royal Flying Doctor Service to aid mental health services.
- An emergency grant of $15,000 to Opportunities of Development Thru Art in Camdbodia in 2020.
- In 2020, staff also raised $10,100 in just a single day! Thanks to staff donations and the matched OneTomorrow funding. The funds were then given to bushfire relief.
