Thinking of taking a cruise this year? It is a great way to travel, explore the world and enjoy a relaxing holiday all rolled into one. Plus if you’re green-minded and conscious about airmiles, you’ll likely feel pretty smug about the fact that cruising has a far lower carbon footprint than flying.
Of course, not all cruise ships are equal when it comes to genuinely impressive ethical credentials, which is why MSC Cruises, a leader in the Mediterranean cruise market, rightly take real pride in their commitment to making green choices that help keep the oceans blue. As well as the company’s energy efficiency matching the industry-leading ecoship and cleanship credentials, MSC Cruises’ eco efforts have been recognised with a string of environmental certifications, alongside awards praising its creative interior design, comfort, cuisine and friendly service.
Once again, the latest flagship in the MSC fleet is set to become a shining green paragon in the industry, with leading international classification society Bureau Veritas officially conferring the “7 Golden Pearls” award to MSC Preziosa, the company’s 4th Fantasia class ship.
The “7 Golden Pearls” is one of highest awards for cruise vessels in recognition of the specific voluntary attention paid, from design and building to operation, to “Quality Health Safety Environment” (QHSE).
The integrated sections that make up the award are:
Classification notation “CLEANSHIP 2”, for the three domains of potential air, water and waste pollution. It targets the Advanced Waste Water Treatment which is unique in the cruise industry and acknowledges that the ship is fitted with the means to prevent the release of pollutants or waste matter into the sea and air. This award also validates that the vessel has been designed, built, operated and maintained to achieve appropriate protection for the environment; covers annexes I, IV,V and VI of MARPOL, as well as the very strict rules on waste and ballast water management, the anti-fouling system and pollution by ozone-depleting substances. The award also validates that the vessel is fully equipped with high incineration capacities, advanced water treatment systems, the newest oil water separators, and vast storage capacities for two days full operation at sea.
The “7 Golden Pearls” award is a reflection of MSC Cruises’ commitment to safeguarding the marine ecosystem, as well as protecting the health and safety of its passengers and staff.
Philippe Donche-Gay, Executive Vice President and head of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore Division, says: “The “7 Golden Pearls” we are awarding to MSC Preziosa is a demonstration that MSC Cruises is committed to the environment, food safety, and to the health and safety of its workforce. MSC Cruises takes a holistic view of its responsibilities in all these areas and invests to go well beyond the basic requirements of regulation. It is a great pleasure to be able to verify and recognise these achievements, which set a new and higher integrated standard for the entire cruise industry.”
About MSC Cruises
In addition to sailing throughout the Mediterranean region throughout the year, MSC Cruises offer a wide range of seasonal itineraries in Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean and Antilles, South America, The United Arab Emirates, the Indian Ocean, South and West Africa, Red Sea. Its modern fleet comprises eleven ships: Fantasia-class MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia; Musica-class MSC Magnifica, MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, and MSC Musica; Lirica-class MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica.
In 2013 the fleet will once again increase in size with the addition of MSC Preziosa, who will be christened in March. MSC Cruises is the only company in the world to receive the “7 Golden Pearls” award from the Bureau Veritas in recognition of its high level of quality management and environmental responsibility. MSC has also achieved ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 certification for the quality and food safety of all aspects of its catering, both on shore and on board. MSC Cruises believes that global leadership brings increased responsibility towards the physical and human environments in which it operates. As such, a long term partnership with UNICEF was undertaken in 2009 to fund a community project aimed at providing disadvantaged children in Brazil with a quality education. To date, MSC Cruises has raised over two million Euros for the initiative.
About Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas is a world leader in conformity assessment and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has 58,000 employees in 940 offices and 340 laboratories located in 140 countries. Bureau Veritas helps its clients to improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.
