A cruise port on Florida’s Space Coast is going bigger, planning to build a brand-new cruise terminal to meet demand.
27.04.2024 - 20:17 / forbes.com
Cruises are increasingly popular but not the most environmentally-friendly option for travelers keen to keep carbon emissions low. It's also true that cruise companies need to meet goals of being carbon-neutral by 2050—one possible solution then, would be to start building nuclear-powered cruise ships.
Using nuclear power for shipping is not new. There are currently 200 nuclear reactors on ships globally, mostly submarines and naval ships. In the 1950s, the U.S. government built a passenger boat run on nuclear power—it could hold 60 travelers and lots of cargo—but it was rife with issues, not entirely related to its energy source. Now, the NS Savannah sits inside a dock in Baltimore, designed more as a proof-of-concept than anything else, reports NPR.
The forward part of the ship held a pressurized water reactor that used low-enriched uranium to produce heat—the steam that was produced ran the ship's turbines, spun the propellors and so produced electricity to power the ship up to 20 knots, equivalent to the speed of many cruise ships today. The Russian government also commissioned Sevmorput, a nuclear-powered cargo ship in 1988, that's still in operation. Two other boats—the Japanese Mutsu and the German Otto Hahn—started out life as nuclear but were fitted to take diesel later on.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations agency that regulates global shipping and it's set a target of carbon neutrality by 2050 for the cruise industry—shipping currently produces 300 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year, around 3% of global emissions.
This obviously poses some issues, because while boats are being built more efficiently, cruise ships are increasing in size—the largest, Icon of the Seas, set sail this year, and ships are installing ever-more diverse activities onboard, such as go-karting, moving bars, zip lines, rollercoasters and skydiving and surfing simulators.
Most ships still run on diesel fuel with about one quarter now using alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas, methanol, or hybrid propulsion—all lower in carbon emissions. According to the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) there are 25 ships using Liquified Natural Gas that will start operating in the next five years. Seven ships belonging to Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line are also coming online that are methanol ready or methanol capable. Carnival is also looking to retrofit ships to take methanol. One of the issues though is that these fuels could be used for other purposes, as could the green power that produces them.
At the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference that took place in Miami this month, industry leaders believe that using nuclear technology is
A cruise port on Florida’s Space Coast is going bigger, planning to build a brand-new cruise terminal to meet demand.
A cruise ship employee was arrested after he allegedly used scissors to stab three people aboard a ship that was traveling to Alaska.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tony Fernandes, a 60-year-old founder and CEO of UEGroup based in San Francisco, about his experience working remotely on a cruise ship. It's been edited for length and clarity.
As Star Wars fans around the world celebrate May the Fourth, what better way to immerse yourself in the galaxy far, far away than by visiting real-life locations that served as backdrops for some of the most iconic scenes in the saga? Solos was founded in 1982 and now offers a wide range of holidays for globetrotters. From Costa Rica to Canada, Africa to America, India to Iceland, Croatia to the Caribbean, Uzbekistan to the UK, and Norway to New Zealand, Solos has divided its holidays into easy-to-select categories depending on interests. Solos is also keen to challenge the assumption that solo travel is purely for single people. Regardless of age, ability, circumstance, background, gender – there really is something for everyone – especially on these exciting trips below.
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Norwegian Cruise Line is offering educators an exclusive year-round cruise discount and onboard credit. The cruise line is also once again recognizing top teachers—and giving them free cruises—through its Giving Joy program.
Norwegian Cruise Line will team up with a nudist travel company to present a naked cruise. Packing should be quick and easy.
Munich, Germany’s third-largest metropolis, is a city of tankards and tech, artworks and eccentricity. It's generally a safe place to visit, and few travelers have problems.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings doesn’t expect expect to see his a slowdown in its revenue, executives said Wednesday.
If you want to go on an all-inclusive vacation at sea, you no longer need to book an ultra-luxury, ultra-expensive cruise line.
The Big Easy might be known for its festivals and easy, musical atmosphere, but it’s also home to a lively river and ocean port for leisure cruising.
There’s a fairly high chance that you’ve never heard of Volotea. But it’s one of the quirkiest budget airlines anywhere on the planet. It’s also (usually) pretty profitable.
"Yeah, right," I muttered while staring at a deal on Royal Caribbean's homepage last week. A countdown clock just below the promotion told me that I only had seven hours, 40 minutes and 28 seconds left to pounce on the offer before it would magically disappear.