Greenland sailing cruise and northern lights

Planet

On this fantastic Greenland cruise you will discover up-close the wonders of the remarkable Scoresby Sund region, an area teeming with natural beauty and spectacular landscapes that we place a huge emphasis upon protecting for generations to come. Our aim is to provide visits to this beautiful part of the world in the most conscientious and responsible manner.

CARBON REDUCTION
One of the most important ways in which we do this is to ensure that we solely use operators that are active members of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), and are committed to delivering “respectable, environmentally-friendly and safe expeditions in the Arctic”.
As such, the operators of this trip are wholeheartedly committed to ensuring that all of their expeditions are carried out with the utmost consideration for the vulnerable natural environments in which they operate. The operators work hard to protect and conserve the destinations they visit and employ a range of successful methods and initiatives to limit the impact of their operations. This includes onboard management systems such as water management techniques using an internationally certified and approved sewage treatment system, and the ship using a special reverse osmosis system that converts seawater into freshwater for use with multiple onboard purposes. They have a firm Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan compliant with international marine pollution prevention regulations that is designed to improve energy efficiency and fuel management of shipboard operations, reduce CO2 emissions from the ship, minimise energy waste, and promote energy efficiency awareness. Various measures are used to comply to this plan including minimisation of electrical loads with the use of low consumption LED lighting, weather routing, speed optimisation and regular monitoring of the vessel’s Energy Efficiency Operating Index. A comprehensive Garbage Management Plan compliant with international marine pollution prevention regulations is in place, including innovative procedures for collecting, storing, processing and disposing of rubbish to achieve environmentally sound results. Day-to-day initiatives include the elimination of all plastic straws and stirrers and individual condiment containers, the use of eco-friendly laundry detergents, use of bulk toiletries instead of individual plastic bottles, and providing guests with reusable drinking containers while onboard.
The ship you will be travelling aboard was retrofitted in 2019 with Rolls Royce zero-speed (Stabilization At Rest) fin stabilizers that eliminate vibration and noise and are fully compatible with environmentally acceptable lubricants (EAL) and feature quad main seals for additional redundancy. The ship uses high-quality low-sulphur marine gas oil (MGO) with a sulphur content equal to or less than 0.50%, meeting the limit set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

They also work hard to instil a firm sense of environmental responsibility in all passengers, and your expert expedition crew will be on hand at all times to offer insights and advice on reducing your carbon footprint. Throughout your tour you will be offered advice and guidelines on how to travel in an environmentally conscientious manner. These guidelines will include appropriate waste disposal methods and responsible usage of water.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
As well as our commitment to protecting the natural environments we also place a huge deal of importance on ensuring the protection and conservation of the wildlife of the areas that our tours visit. Throughout your tour you will be briefed on how to act around any wildlife that you encounter with the firm ethos of “Do not leave anything but footprints and do not take anything but memories” being maintained throughout. The natural history experts that will accompany you on your expedition will highlight the conservation issues that the wildlife of this area face.

The operators of the tour are involved in a number of initiatives designed to help maintain the fragile environments that they operate in. This includes a “Clean Up Svalbard” initiative and a number of Citizen Science projects which guests are encouraged to become involved in.

As a company we support many wildlife organisations worldwide including Save the Albatross, Wader Quest and the South Georgia Habitat Restoration Project and in an effort to further enhance the positive effects of our tours on the wildlife of the Arctic we actively encourage our customers upon return to donate to charities concerned with the Arctic.

As a company we firmly believe that environmental responsibility starts at home. We encourage recycling of waste as a company and as individuals. Where possible for business use we use public transport. We are also heavily involved with a project to recycle used or damaged binoculars, which are then sent to conservation projects across the world. All pre-departure information is also sent digitally in the first instance, as opposed to printing, and as a company we actively encourage limiting printing wastage.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
This Greenland cruise will offer you the chance to visit some of the world’s most remote communities to learn about their ways of life, traditions and cultures. The operators of this tour are fully committed to their responsibilities to the local communities that their tours visit and you will be offered first-hand insights on respecting the traditions of the communities you will be visiting, including appropriate behaviour at any heritage or cultural sites.
The operators of your tour are deeply committed to supporting indigenous communities in the areas they visit, including Ittoqqortoormiit which you will likely visit on your tour. Their ethos is to remember that we are lucky to be guests of these communities, and they support local suppliers and regularly visit museums, research stations, and souvenir shops during landings. They state, “We have profound respect for the people who are always welcoming and open to our guests and make sure to appreciate their right to privacy as we work to conduct tourism that is truly sustainable.”
As a company we are committed to ethically working with overseas partners who employ and support local communities and local guides who know and love their region like no other, delighted to share knowledge and are dedicated to looking after our valued passengers. With first-hand experience of the areas we visit we have up to date local information and can therefore provide the most relevant information in our pre-departure literature. This includes information on on-going initiatives and community efforts that we actively encourage our customers to become involved in, cultural etiquette and advice on how to engage with and help the local communities.

We are proud of our principle based values which our community can always depend on. We support several home and overseas charities, organisations and campaigns including AfriCat, Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), Save the Albatross, South Georgia Habitat Restoration Project, Wader Trust, Wildlife SOS India and sponsorship of individual and underprivileged children in many countries.

We encourage our customers to extend their journeys with a pre or post-departure stay in one of Iceland’s enchanting towns or villages and we can offer first-hand advice on creating meaningful and respectful relationships between tourists and residents. We can suggest local areas and communities to visit gaining cultural insights along the way, along with advice on where to buy souvenirs (to ensure the proceeds are going directly to the vendors) & locally owned restaurants & bars. Likewise, the operators of your tour support a broad range of charities throughout the world.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
The operators of your tour take their commitment to their employment, inclusivity and diversity practices very seriously. It has been noted that the crew aboard the ship, return year after year thanks the excellent environment that has been created for all employees, regardless of background. Crew members are housed in comfortable two- or four-person cabins, each with private facilities. High standards of crew welfare are upheld, with regular inspections conducted by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). The operations fully comply with the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006), which sets rigorous global standards for safety, qualifications, working hours, manning levels, social protection, employment conditions, and onboard living arrangements. Compliance is verified through inspections by the vessel’s flag state and detailed assessments of crew accommodations, ensuring all obligations for fair and ethical employment practices are met.

As a company, we believe that the varied backgrounds of our team members and guests bring invaluable perspectives that enhance our shared journey. Our commitment lies in building a truly inclusive environment where equal opportunity is a given. We encourage people from all walks of life to explore career opportunities with us. In line with our dedication to responsible travel, we also prioritise partnerships with operators and providers who share these values and demonstrate a strong commitment to fairness, respect, and ethical treatment of their employees and stakeholders.