Planet

Commitment to environmental protection

We are mindful of the importance of ocean diversity, and reducing our impact is critical to our business. We identify and implement practices for pollution prevention, and we support initiatives that help protect marine and plant ecosystems as part of wider global efforts.

Water and Wastewater Management

Effective water and wastewater management on cruise ships is essential to preventing ocean pollution and protecting the health and safety of guests and crew. Proper treatment and disposal of wastewater safeguards marine ecosystems, and we are committed to complying with strict international and local regulations that guard against environmental damage.

CREATING FRESH WATER

More than 80% of all the freshwater we use across our fleet is from seawater.

Every day on our ships, we transform millions of liters of seawater into fresh drinking water through reverse osmosis and evaporation. Reverse osmosis pushes seawater through a fine membrane to remove salt, while evaporation heats seawater until it turns to vapor.

Both methods produce fresh water from seawater on board, giving us a reliable freshwater supply and reducing our reliance on shore-based sources.

We aim to reduce onboard water usage by 3% per year across our fleet, using water-saving devices in bathrooms and kitchens and encouraging water-saving practices among guests and crew.

TREATING OUR WASTEWATER

After use, onboard water is treated before returning to the ocean. Our fleet is fully compliant with wastewater discharge rules wherever it operates. Our four newest ships comply with the “Baltic Standard” (IMO MEPC 227 (64)), the strictest standard for wastewater treatment and discharge in the maritime industry.

We have a strict internal policy not to dispose of bilge and treated oily water at sea. Instead, we discharge ashore so it can be properly treated at approved facilities. We undertake random testing of treated effluent water to ensure standards are maintained.

TREATING BALLAST WATER

Ballast tanks on cruise ships help maintain the center of gravity and the level of comfort on board during a voyage. Adjusting the position of the ship in the water can also improve her energy efficiency.

These tanks are filled with seawater, which can contain small invertebrates, larvae, and other microorganisms collected from local ecosystems. To prevent these organisms being introduced to new areas of ocean, all our ships have an approved ballast water treatment system, which uses mechanical filtration, ultraviolet light, and chemical treatment to remove them.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Responsible waste management on a cruise ship means carefully handling, reducing, recycling, and disposing of all waste generated on board. That includes food waste, recyclable materials such as paper and plastic, cooking oils, and hazardous waste. The aim is to minimize our potential environmental impact and comply with strict industry-specific regulations. Recyclable materials including glass, aluminum, paper and cardboard, plastics, cooking oil, and operational waste are compacted or fragmented and offloaded ready to be recycled.

As a result of these comprehensive waste management policies and procedures, our entire fleet has achieved ISO 21070:2017 certification for marine environmental protection. ISO 21070:2017 is an international standard providing guidelines for the management of solid ship-generated waste, to help minimize environmental impact. It specifies procedures for handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of waste on board ships, aiming to improve waste management practices in the maritime industry.

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Water and Wastewater Management, Planet - Sustainability | MSC Cruises

Eliminating single-use plastic water bottles

As part of MSC Cruises' ongoing commitment to sustainability, we are working to reduce the use of plastic on board by replacing many single-use items with reusable and lower-impact alternatives.

One of the latest steps in this evolution is the phasing out of plastic water bottles. In their place, we are proud to introduce AQUA by MSC.

AQUA by MSC is mineral-enriched water created on board using state-of-the-art purification technology. Enhanced with magnesium and potassium for a fresh, crisp taste, it is available in both still and sparkling varieties.

With the full roll-out of AQUA by MSC across our fleet, we're eliminating an average of more than 4 million plastic water bottles every month. By 2026, that will represent an annual average of more than 49 million single-use plastic water bottles cut fleetwide.

AQUA by MSC is available on board in a range of convenient ways, from glass bottles in restaurants and bars to refill stations throughout the ship.

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Shining buildings reflected on a calm sea surface under blue light | MSC Cruises

Whale Protection

We partner with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), a charity dedicated entirely to studying and protecting whales, dolphins, and porpoises. ORCA has developed a comprehensive ship strike mitigation training program for deck officers across the fleet, helping them understand the whales they encounter on their voyages and the best ways to reduce the risk of collision, which goes well beyond speed reductions. MSC bridge officers have access to the ORCA OceanWatchers app so they can record sightings of whales and dolphins during their voyages.

To protect endangered sperm whales in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, we have rerouted our ships when they operate in this area between April and October. This follows discussions with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, OceanCare, and World Wide Fund for Nature Greece.

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Dolphin leaps above the water, showcasing its grace and strength | MSC Cruises

Marine Conservation on Ocean Cay

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is our private island in The Bahamas, and it is also home to the MSC Foundation's Super Coral Programme.

Pioneering scientific collaboration and advanced research have identified coral genotypes known as “super corals,” which have evolved to better withstand thermal stress. At Ocean Cay, we're growing critically endangered coral in offshore nurseries to be planted across 64 square miles of the surrounding marine environment. These will be placed strategically to create hardier reefs, more resilient to the extreme heat events of climate change known as “marine heatwaves.” A full-time Marine Research Program Manager leads restoration activities on Ocean Cay and supports our broader biodiversity initiatives.

In recognition of the pioneering work done with some of the world's leading marine biologists, Ocean Cay was formally designated a “Hope Spot” by Mission Blue, the non-profit organization promoting the protection of marine ecosystems. Ocean Cay joins Mission Blue's global network of 154 Hope Spots: places recognized as critical to ocean health, with the goal of achieving MPA status.

Please visit our MSC Foundation website for more information on their conservation programs.

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