By Gabriele Bassi.
For some months now, Costa Cruises has been working on a repositioning of the brand and has tackled a new sustainable tourism project where the protection of the environment and the generation of greater economic and social value have acquired a new perspective.
In March 2022, the Costa Toscana, the fleet's new flagship, entered service. The second ship in the Excellence class and sister ship to the Costa Smeralda, these state-of-the-art vessels meet the evolving needs of the market and, above all, provide a platform for the type of cruise experience that defines the new project.
First, we asked Rossella Carrara, Vice President of Corporate Relations and Sustainability at Costa Cruises, about some aspects of the Costa Toscana and how the protocols for supplying energy with liquefied natural gas are applied on board.
Rossella, what does operating a liquefied natural gas vessel entail, and what are the practical differences in cruise ship management when dealing with passengers?
Much of the technology is invisible to our passengers, allowing them to fully enjoy the cruise experience with the assurance that they are sailing on a "smart" ship, with maximum protection of the environment and natural resources. Currently, we refuel every two weeks in Barcelona and occasionally, on an experimental basis, in other ports, such as La Spezia. Our passengers will not see any black smoke coming from the smokestack, and this is already the most tangible symbol of the effectiveness of this technology, which allows us to eliminate or reduce emissions such as sulfur oxides and particulate matter.
On board the new class of Costa Cruises ships, what else is new, besides LNG, in terms of environmental and energy protection?
In addition to using environmentally friendly fuel, the Costa Toscana boasts a state-of-the-art, intelligent energy efficiency system. This begins with the hull's shape, designed to reduce friction with the sea and thus save fuel. The technology used for all onboard services is also highly efficient. For example, the elevators use their own energy to power themselves, as do the kitchen ovens, which harness some of their own heat for energy. The ship draws water directly from the sea and is 100% self-sufficient in its consumption. Onboard waste management follows strict storage and sorting protocols, already implemented across the rest of the fleet. Everything produced onboard is collected and organized to facilitate recycling and recovery once unloaded in port.
What are the differences, if any, between the Costa Toscana and the Costa Smeralda?
There are some minor differences between the two latest ships, but they are mainly technical and not noticeable to our passengers. Each new project aims to improve the facilities, and we value every experience to continuously improve.
What else does their sustainability protocol include?
According to our “Manifesto for Quality, Sustainable, and Inclusive Tourism,” a ten-point plan summarizing our commitment to sustainable development, destinations are not seen as a collection of tourist attractions, but rather as communities to build together a tourism model that generates greater economic and social value. This approach also aims to empower travelers and introduce them to a different interpretation of travel, based on the authenticity of experiences and the enhancement of the excellence of the regions visited.
A radical change. So, Rossella, how do you think passengers can become aware of what you're doing? What kind of communication are you using to publicize your "Manifesto"?
We strive to provide a truly sustainable experience for our passengers, encompassing the entire journey from booking to the end of their vacation. Onboard, we engage them through various activities. For example, we highlight the value of the places we visit with sustainable excursions managed by partners who share our values. In our restaurants, we offer dishes related to our itineraries, prioritizing quality and local products. At our Archipelago restaurant, for instance, you can dine in an elegant setting with decorations made from items collected during beach cleanups by the Costa Crociere Foundation. A small portion of this restaurant's proceeds goes to the Foundation to invest in environmental protection initiatives.
So, the sustainability "Manifesto," which defines Costa's new brand, also includes a truly unique experience onboard our fleet. Is your crew also involved in any way?
Absolutely. On ships like the Costa Toscana, we have over 1,000 crew members. Their environmental impact would also be significant without the efforts of the entire crew. We've promoted initiatives like Stop the Drop on water conservation and Taste Not Waste on reducing food waste, in which not only passengers but also crew members participate
What are the prospects for the future? What new initiatives or other projects do you have on the horizon?
Absolutely. We consider LNG an important step, but not the ultimate goal. We are investing heavily in research and development and are already thinking about next-generation projects. We are testing and working on ship concepts that can leverage all the different technologies. With the launch of LNG, we have been leaders in the sector and continue working to further advance in this direction.
Costa Cruises' corporate "Manifesto" therefore envisions extending the concept of sustainability beyond the ship, making it a genuine experience for passengers on board and the key word for relationships with product and service providers, creating partnerships based on shared values. These experiences can already be enjoyed on board two of the company's latest generation of modern and innovative ships, but, where possible, they will be extended and implemented across the entire fleet.
