Norwegian Cruise Line today announced a partnership with NextEra™ Energy Resources®, North America’s largest producer of wind and solar power, which provides the opportunity for Norwegian guests’ to help build new renewable energy projects and offset their carbon footprint. This innovative program, a first within the cruise industry, is just one initiative amongst the many environmentally conscious efforts Norwegian is committed to through its award-winning Eco-Smart Cruising practices.

Guests sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line are able to voluntarily contribute $10 per person, per cruise through NextEra Energy Resources’ EarthEra® Renewable Energy Trust via Norwegian’s website at www.ncl.com/environment. The EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust will direct 100 percent of the funds received from Norwegian’s North American guests to build new renewable energy facilities across the United States.

“Across our fleet, we have implemented many of the most innovative environmental policies and technologies in the cruise industry. Our partnership with NextEra Energy Resources represents a first for the industry and furthers our commitment to the environment,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “We are pleased to offer the opportunity for our guests to offset their carbon footprint and help build renewable energy.”

Norwegian’s Eco-Smart Cruising Initiatives

For more than four decades, Norwegian has committed to the protection of the oceans and most significantly through sustainable environmental practices, investments in technology and a commitment to exceed regulatory requirements.

Just in the past five years, Norwegian has:

Steadily decreased the proportion of solid waste handled aboard ships and steadily increased the volumes going to beneficial reuse and recycling programs;

Treated black and gray waste water to near drinking water standards, earning local government approval in states with some of the most rigorous discharge laws;

Taught 473,000 children and youth passengers (2-17) to become better stewards of the environment through the “Officer Snook” education program, offered exclusively on board Norwegian’s ships;

Delivered more than 400,000 gallons of cooking oil onshore that has been converted to bio-fuel for use in motor vehicles, reducing petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; and
Recently, has invested in the environmental future of its 250-acre private island, Great Stirrup Cay, by installing new water production, wastewater treatment facilities and disposal, as well as implementing new recycling activities.

In addition to these recent initiatives, Norwegian has made significant investments in environmental protection technology, as well as on staff devoted to environmental protection. Each ship sails with a trained Environmental Officer (EO), a three-stripe, non-watch standing officer whose sole function aboard the ship is the implementation, training, oversight, and verification of shipboard environmental compliance. The EO also provides assistance to Norwegian’s Fleet Regulatory Compliance (FRC) Department in the development of environmental policies and procedures. All on board crew receive training on environmental procedures prior to assuming shipboard duties, as well as specialized environmental training appropriate to their individual job and responsibility.