It is no longer enough to be in business and be profitable. In addition it is becoming increasingly important how that business is run. 

Thus, AIDA Cruises was recently awarded a Maritime Social Responsibility (MSR) certificate from Germanischer Lloyd (GL), as part of the line’s integrated management system covering ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and MSR.

GL’s certificate stipulates that AIDA “maintains and enforces policies and procedures in order to manage those issues which it can control or influence; that it demonstrates to interested parties that its policies, procedures and practices conform with the requirements of the standards; and that its social responsibility system is compatible with other international standards.”

Costa Crociere, however, was the first cruise line to receive a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) notation when RINA awarded it so-called Best 4 Certification in 2004 for “social accountability, environment, safety and quality.” At the time, Costa said it was the first shipping company in the world to receive social accountability certification.

For the crew, such certification means that Costa guarantees its employees basic labor rights and provides a safe and healthy working environment. The company’s code of ethics also requires that all employees act in a matter consistent with the highest legal and ethical standards.

Other companies having stated CSR policies include NYK Line, parent company to Crystal Cruises, and the Association of British Ports.

For the cruise lines CSR means in effect a triple bottom line, said Sven Mollekleiv, vice president of relations and CSR at Det Norske Veritas (DNV): profitability, environmental protection and social equity.

Excerpt from the Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine: Winter 2006/2007