The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) has launched a badge-based system to give travel agents a clear, consistent way to assess and communicate to clients how expedition cruise operators protect the places they visit.
As part of the voluntary Responsible Expedition Framework, participating cruise lines are assessed across six areas of responsible expedition cruising.
Each is awarded a stage, shown by a corresponding badge, along with a report outlining its strengths and where it could improve.
The stages range from ‘emerging’, for operators building the foundations of responsible expedition cruising, to ‘contributing’, for those creating a positive environmental impact that extends beyond the voyage itself.
The badges show agents at a glance where each cruise line stands.
Eleven of ECN’s 26 cruise operator members have signed up so far, and PONANT is the first to reach ‘contributing’ status.
Built for travel agents
The framework grew out of research among ECN’s travel advisor members. They reported that lengthy sustainability and ESG reports were hard to interpret, which made it difficult to compare different operators’ approaches or explain them clearly to clients.
ECN co-founder and CEO Akvile Marozaite described the framework as ‘a communication tool for agents’.
“Expedition cruising takes place in some of the world’s most environmentally sensitive destinations and brings travellers into contact with remote communities, wildlife and fragile ecosystems,” she said. “It is in the interests of our entire sector that these places are visited carefully, respectfully and responsibly.
“Travel advisors told us they wanted a clearer way to understand the work expedition cruise operators are undertaking. Sustainability is an extremely complex subject, particularly in expedition cruising, where an operator can simultaneously function as a hotel, transport provider, tour operator and educational platform.
“This new framework brings these different responsibilities together and gives the sector a common language. It will help travel advisors have more informed conversations with their clients, while giving participating operators a practical roadmap for continued improvement.”
Akvile believes the framework is the first of its kind in the cruise sector. “Bringing it to life has been one of the most challenging and rewarding projects I have undertaken through ECN,” she said. “I am immensely proud of what ECN has achieved and grateful to every advisor, operator and independent expert who helped us create it.”
How the assessment works
Cruise operators complete an annual 35-question self-assessment covering six areas: certifications and external validation; sustainable management and governance; environmental stewardship; community, cultural and destination stewardship; guest education and expedition ethos; and positive impact and conservation contribution.
Operators must provide evidence to support their answers. Responses are weighted, and each submission is evaluated through a review process that includes an independent judging panel.
The framework draws on recognised global sustainability principles, including those of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It also addresses issues specific to expedition cruising, such as biosecurity, wildlife encounters, guest education, citizen science, conservation partnerships and contributions to local communities and destinations.
The founding cruise operators
The operators taking part in the inaugural assessment are HX Expeditions, PONANT, Golden Galapagos, Poseidon Expeditions, Australis Cruises, Scenic Eclipse, UnCruise Adventures, 60South, Aranui Cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions and Aqua Expeditions.
“These operators committed considerable time and resources to completing the inaugural assessment and providing evidence of their work,” said Akvile. “Their willingness to participate has enabled ECN to establish the framework and take an important first step towards clearer, more informed conversations about responsible expedition cruising.
“We hope the framework will become a trusted reference point for travel advisors, a valuable improvement tool for operators and a catalyst for further progress across the expedition cruise sector.”
