By Positive Phil
When people think of cruise ships, they often envision decadent buffets, sun-drenched decks, exotic excursions—and yes, the occasional over-the-top karaoke night. What they don’t often think of is sustainability.
But they should.
As I prepare to board Celebrity Cruises’ newest Edge-series ship, the Celebrity Ascent, I’m not just looking forward to the ocean views. I’m shining a light on the lesser-known efforts that companies like Celebrity are making toward a more sustainable, environmentally responsible future. Because behind the glamor and gourmet dining lies a powerful—and growing—commitment to ESG: environmental, social, and governance responsibility.
Let’s take a journey beneath the surface of this floating city to explore just how Celebrity Ascent is reimagining cruising for a cleaner tomorrow.
🌱 ESG at Sea: More Than a Buzzword
Celebrity Cruises is part of the Royal Caribbean Group, which has made sustainability a core pillar of its long-term business strategy. Their commitment is rooted in measurable targets—like reducing carbon intensity by 25% by 2025 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. And yes, cruise ships have a long way to go compared to solar farms or wind turbines—but the path forward is getting clearer with each launch, and the Celebrity Ascent represents one of the strongest pushes yet.
Ascent isn’t just about luxury. It’s a showcase of smart design, clean tech, sustainable sourcing, and efforts that start at the hull and ripple outward to the water we sail on.
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⚓ Where Does All the Waste Go? The Truth Behind the Trash
Let’s talk trash. Literally.
One of the most misunderstood parts of cruise operations is waste management. Critics often assume that everything ends up in the ocean, but this couldn’t be further from the truth—at least not on today’s advanced ships like Ascent.
Celebrity Ascent operates under a zero-landfill initiative, meaning virtually nothing gets simply “thrown away.” Waste is meticulously sorted onboard. Plastics are compacted and offloaded for recycling. Organic food waste is processed through onboard bio-digesters that turn scraps into grey water. Cardboard? Baled. Metals? Recycled. Glass? Pulverized and reused as aggregate material.
Even the laundry water is filtered using advanced purification systems before discharge—meeting and often exceeding EPA and international MARPOL standards.
🍽️ Conscious Cuisine: Sustainable Food Systems at Sea
The Celebrity Ascent feeds thousands of guests daily—but how that food is sourced and served matters just as much as how it tastes.
Celebrity works hard to integrate sustainable seafood sourcing through partnerships with the Marine Stewardship Council and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. This ensures that the fish you’re eating onboard isn’t contributing to overfishing or harming marine ecosystems.
Local provisioning is emphasized where possible, meaning that for Caribbean itineraries, fresh fruit and vegetables are sourced closer to port, cutting down on long-haul shipping emissions. The line is also tackling food waste head-on with kitchen monitoring systems that track and reduce unused ingredients.
Celebrity also accommodates plant-forward menus and lower-impact proteins for those who want to cruise lighter on the planet.
💡 LED Everything: Energy-Efficient Design from Bow to Stern
Cruise ships are energy-hungry machines. But the Celebrity Ascent is designed to run smarter.
The ship is fully outfitted with LED lighting systems—from the staterooms to the engine rooms—cutting lighting energy use by up to 40% compared to traditional setups.
Beyond lights, Ascent includes energy recovery systems, variable-speed HVAC, and advanced thermal insulation to reduce the cooling load in hot climates.
Even the elevators are designed to capture and reuse kinetic energy, not unlike regenerative braking in electric vehicles.
☀️ Does a Cruise Ship Have Solar Panels?
Yes, and no. While cruise ships like Celebrity Ascent don’t yet sail fully on solar, solar panels are integrated into their energy systems, powering smaller onboard functions like lighting, navigation systems, and even crew areas.
Think of them as an auxiliary energy source—like having solar chargers supplement your off-grid adventure. Celebrity is also exploring broader solar integration as panel efficiency and marine durability improve.
💧 What About Water and Electricity? Hydro Power at Sea?
One fascinating innovation on ships like Ascent is water generation. Cruise ships don’t load thousands of gallons of fresh water at every port—they make it onboard using desalination powered by waste heat from the engines. This means clean, potable water is created from seawater—daily.
As for hydroelectricity—while ships don’t use traditional dams, there is a fascinating concept at play: shaft generators. These systems capture mechanical energy from the main propulsion shaft to generate electricity, reducing the need to burn extra fuel just for hotel functions.
Some ships are also testing fuel cell technologies and even wind-assist sails, paving the way for hybrid-electric cruising in the not-so-distant future.
🌊 The New Silent Partner: Sustainability Meets Experience
Onboard Celebrity Ascent, sustainability isn’t a compromise—it’s part of the experience.
From digital menus replacing paper waste, to smart thermostats in staterooms that adjust automatically, to shore power capability (so the ship can plug in while docked and avoid burning fuel), it’s all designed with intention. Even the ship’s hull design minimizes drag, which cuts emissions over the long haul.
What you don’t see—like cleaner exhaust scrubbers or advanced oil-water separation—makes just as big an impact as what you do.
🙌 Why It Matters
For the eco-conscious traveler, sustainability used to mean staying off the sea. But ships like Celebrity Ascent are changing the conversation.
It’s not perfect—but it’s progress. And as someone who believes in innovation, optimism, and doing our best with what we have, I’m thrilled to spotlight these efforts onboard.
Cruising shouldn’t just be about where you go. It should also be about how you get there—and what legacy you leave behind in the wake.
I’ll Be Onboard: Stay Tuned for Real-Time Insights
As I set sail aboard Celebrity Ascent, I’ll be documenting the trip—from the food to the waste systems, from laundry to lighting. I’ll be asking questions, talking to the crew, and sharing what I learn about sustainable travel at sea.
Follow along on PositivePhil.com and across my social media channels as we shine a light on the greener side of cruising.
Because positivity isn’t just about mindset—it’s about movement. Toward a cleaner, more hopeful world.
Bon voyage, and stay inspired.
— Positive Phil
