Sustainability at sea: three cruise lines leading the charge

Many first-time cruisers find themselves asking, are cruise ships bad for the environment? Cruise companies, too, are increasingly aware that reducing their environmental impact should be a priority.

But the future doesn’t have to follow the same course. These three cruise lines are leading the way with ambitious goals and tangible solutions, investing in the technology needed to make sustainable cruising a reality.

Hurtigruten

Who are they?

Hurtigruten is more than just a cruise line – it’s a fundamental part of life for communities along Norway’s remote coast. Since 1893, its ships have delivered goods and passengers to ports that are otherwise hard to reach.

While you won’t find sprawling casinos or splashy waterparks on board, its ships offer a deep-rooted connection to the landscapes of fjords and fjells.

What are they already doing?

Hurtigruten has always been guided by a pioneering spirit – one that now drives its leadership in sustainable cruising. The crews use certified biofuels from carefully vetted sources, minimise single-use plastics on board and actively reduce food waste.

For example, on some voyages, composting systems produce fertiliser for a local farm, which then supplies fresh ingredients back to the ship.

What's in the works?

Hurtigruten might be a leader in sustainable cruising, but it’s not resting on its laurels. There’s a lot more to do, and the team is planning to launch the world’s most energy-efficient cruise ship.

As part of the Sea Zero project, they’ve spent months testing cutting-edge technologies in Trondheim, Norway. The aim is to find out how ships can use energy more efficiently.

In the words of Gerry Larsson-Fedde, chief operating officer at Hurtigruten, “We are learning a lot from these tests, and we can now see that many of the ambitious goals in this project can also be implemented in practice.”

What’s in development is a combination of innovative upgrades. Specialised retractable sails alone could reduce energy use by 10-15 per cent. Other potential features include special propellers and smart energy systems for heating and cooling.

A ship that has all these energy-efficient features fully realised is still a few years off – the first passengers will be welcomed aboard in 2030. If the project is a success, the long-term goal is to transform all Hurtigruten ships into zero-emission vessels.

Viking Cruises

Who are they?

With a fleet of over 90 ships, Viking offers river, ocean and expedition cruises to destinations ranging from Egypt and Vietnam to Antarctica and the Chilean fjords. On board, passengers enjoy Scandi design and an adult-focused experience.

What are they already doing?

Viking’s current fleet includes environmentally conscious features such as solar panels and energy-efficient engines.

The cruise line also holds provisional memberships with both the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operations, working closely with them to follow best travel practices and support scientific research in these fragile ecosystems.

What's in the works?

Viking is currently developing the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship: Viking Libra. This zero-emission vessel is set to launch as early as late 2026. It will be followed by Viking Astrea in 2027, also powered by hydrogen.

“From the outset, we have designed our river and ocean ships thoughtfully to reduce their fuel consumption, and we are very proud the Viking Libra and the Viking Astrea will be even more environmentally friendly,” said Torstein Hagen, chair and CEO of Viking.

He added: “Viking made the principled decision to invest in hydrogen, which offers a true zero-emission solution. We look forward to welcoming the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship to our fleet in 2026.”

Havila Voyages

Who are they?

The family behind this operation has been sailing Norway’s coast since the 1950s. Today, Havila Voyages combines heritage with innovation, offering scenic cruises aboard some of the most environmentally advanced ships out there.

What are they already doing?

This cruise line has taken significant steps towards sustainable sailing. Each of their coastal cruise ships is equipped with large battery packs, meaning they can sail for four hours straight with zero emissions. The batteries are charged with clean hydropower when the ships dock. 

The ships also have energy-efficient hulls, designed to reduce fuel consumption without compromising performance – even when you factor in Norway’s harsh coastal conditions. 

Minimising food waste onboard ships is another priority for the cruise line. It has the ambitious goal of limiting the average food waste per passenger to 75 grams per day. 

What's in the works?

To understand what this cruise line has planned, first, we have to talk about liquified natural gas (LNG). This is seen by many in the industry as a more sustainable alternative to other fuel sources for ships – but it’s not a perfect solution.

That’s because while LNG does reduce carbon emissions, greenhouse gases can still escape during combustion or leaks, offsetting some of the environmental benefits.

That’s where the LNGameChanger project comes in. Its goal? To make LNG a truly sustainable solution by developing technology that captures and stores CO₂ during operation.

Havila Voyages is trialling this technology with the hope of turning its current LNG-powered fleet into a zero-emission one.

Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Voyages, explains: “We have clear ambitions to move towards carbon neutrality and eventually zero emissions, and that can be done with our current fleet. This project is of great interest for us as our main power source today is LNG. We are eagerly awaiting the results and possibilities that lay ahead.”

And they’re not alone. Across the industry, cruise lines are reimagining what it means to sail sustainably. Greener cruising may still be a work in progress – but thanks to these innovations, the journey is well and truly underway.