In modern times, the environment has come to forefront of people’s minds, as the evidence for global warming and the damage that the human population is causing to our own planet with wasteful carbon emissions stacks up. Although much of the blame is placed upon the gases secreted by cars, planes and even cows, cruise lines are beginning to see the bigger picture when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint. In recent years, a number of reputable river cruise lines have taken steps to improve the environmentally-conscious nature of their vessels to provide more eco-friendly river cruises.

River cruise ships are already one of the greenest ways to travel the world, especially when compared to cars, planes and larger ocean-faring cruise vessels. They are compact and only carry a limited number of passengers per voyage, which allows for smaller engines and therefore lower carbon emissions. However, river cruise vessels sail on smaller bodies of water than their larger cousins, which can make their impact on the environment substantially worse. Due to this concern, many responsible river cruise lines are not simply accepting this fact and continuing with their old ways, but instead have opted to invest in new technologies and exciting innovations to further develop the environmentally friendly nature of river cruising, allowing eco-travellers to feel pride in choosing eco-friendly river cruises when they embark on their holidays.

Viking River Cruises are one of many major river cruise lines to have taken advantage of new technologies to provide more eco-friendly river cruises to their passengers. Back in 2009, Viking launched two new sister ships named the Viking Legend and Viking Prestige, each with fantastic emission-conscious features. These new vessels were both fitted with diesel-electric hybrid engines, which reduce fuel usage by 20% when compared to normal diesel ships. The hybrid engines also produce fewer vibrations and therefore much less noise pollution whilst on the move. In addition, the two ships were also installed with solar panels to increase their energy-efficiency alongside an on-board organic herb garden. Once these vessels were christened, eco-friendly river cruises with Viking became available to all.

Several other major players in the river cruise industry have also acted to make their river vessels more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Just last year, AMA Waterways debuted their new river cruise ship, the AmaVida, which was equipped with solar panels to generate energy, in order to run many of the ship’s operations in an eco-friendly manner. Other river cruise lines such as Uniworld and Tauck have also taken the initiative by working with a number of companies and districts to help deliver sustainable shore excursions and therefore more eco-friendly river cruises.

However, despite the excellent steps taken by many trusted river cruise companies, eco-friendly river cruises are not just the responsibility of the cruise lines. Every passenger can do their bit to increase the environmental nature of their voyage. Simple things like recycling and not wasting food whilst aboard as well as reusing towels are great ways to help out. Remember, lots of little steps can bring on a big change.