The cruise industry faces unprecedented scrutiny as environmental activists track every voyage, regulators continue to tighten emissions standards. A cruise ship generates about 1 ton of waste daily and emits greenhouse gas matching those of 12,000 cars, yet 83% of travelers say sustainable travel is important to them. While the industry has committed tens of billions to revolutionary ship designs with advanced wastewater treatment and alternative fuel systems, these infrastructure overhauls won’t arrive for years.
Cruise lines need positive sustainability news now, and the solution is closer than you may think.
The products and amenities used every day aboard your ships represent a path to quick wins that passengers will notice and stakeholders will celebrate. Every change matters. Meaningful progress today demonstrates your commitment to environmental leadership.
Immediate opportunities for 2025
For procurement leaders, product sustainability is one of the few levers they can pull now. Every item aboard—be it guest toiletries or crew gear—is an operational touchpoint.
A single sourcing decision can reverberate through cost, compliance, guest experience, and brand equity. Swapping to eco-certified cleaning products, for instance, isn’t just greener—it can reduce costs tied to hazardous waste handling.
These changes are easy to implement, showcase sustainability in guest cabins and can be continuously improved. Many products, like refillable toiletries or plant-based cleaners, enhance guest perceptions while reducing costs.
Sustainable toiletries in cabins
Start with high-visibility guest touchpoints. Stock your cabins with refillable, biodegradable shampoos and conditioners, bamboo toothbrushes and organic cotton towels. With cruise ships now carrying thousands of passengers and generating enormous amounts of waste, small changes in procurement multiply at unprecedented scale. Plus, even modest product swaps can elevate brand perception.
Cleaning products
Switch to plant-based, biodegradable cleaning solutions that reduce chemical discharge into marine environments. Concentrated formulas often reduce costs while improving environmental performance.
Food and beverages
Source sustainably sourced coffee, responsibly caught seafood and locally sourced ingredients at port destinations. Compostable packaging for room service and smarter quick-service dining strategies can eliminate thousands of plastic containers per voyage.
Uniforms and linens
Provide crew members with uniforms made from recycled materials and use organic cotton linens in cabins. These changes reduce environmental impact, last longer and enhance comfort for guests.
Every small change adds up
The hotel industry proves that even small sustainability changes like these get noticed. Major hotel chains have improved guest perceptions and reduced their environmental footprint through simple switches, like refillable dispensers and optional towel and linen programs.
These changes touch every guest experience, multiplying their impact. Cruise lines can not only apply this approach, but amplify it — a single ship serves more guests in one voyage than most hotels accommodate in months.
While long-term infrastructure projects are essential, taking action where you can make immediate progress demonstrates leadership and builds momentum for long-term initiatives.
Your roadmap to sustainable procurement
Audit current sourcing
Identify high-volume categories like toiletries, cleaning supplies and food. Assess current suppliers based on sustainability certifications, ingredient transparency and eco-friendly packaging materials. This will reveal where a simple switch could deliver worthwhile results.
Track meaningful metrics
Monitor carbon footprints, waste reduction and supplier sustainability scores. Many vendors provide lifecycle assessments, and sustainability platforms can centralize data collection across suppliers and product categories, simplifying tracking and benchmarking against industry standards.
Build supplier partnerships
Collaborate with vendors who share your sustainability vision. Prioritize those offering transparent data, eco-friendly alternatives and continuous improvement. Strong partnerships are key as regulations evolve and passenger expectations continue to rise.
Empower procurement teams
Train staff on sustainability criteria, set clear supplier selection standards and make sustainable choices the default. Sustainability platforms can make this process easier by providing clear performance benchmarks and action recommendations. This shifts the burden from individuals to systems, creating repeatable wins.
From quick wins to lasting transformation
Sustainability is a journey. You don’t need to choose between immediate wins and long-term goals — both work together to create meaningful progress. Every small choice creates momentum, builds confidence and strengthens support for your larger initiatives.
The cruise lines that act now on immediate opportunities will be better positioned for the industry’s sustainable future. While others wait for perfect solutions, leaders are capturing quick wins today.
THESIS makes tracking and improving product sustainability straightforward across all categories coming aboard your ships. From guest amenities to operational supplies, the platform provides the data and insights you need to make informed procurement decisions.
Ready to turn your procurement process into an operational advantage? Learn how THESIS can help you track and improve sustainability across your fleet in 2025 and beyond.
