Virgin Voyages’ claims its first ship Scarlet Lady will be completely carbon neutral as it pledges to carbon offset all sailings.
The sustainable credentials of the 2,700 passenger ship were highlighted during a press conference in Dover this weekend.
Chief executive Tom McAlpin said it was in Virgin’s DNA to “change business for good,” insisting that sustainability was a core focus for the Virgin Voyages.
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“We have just announced that we’ll be the first ship that from day one will be carbon neutral,” he said. “We are investing in carbon offsets because the reality is that we are a ship and we burn a lot of fuel but we want to do the right thing for the environment now, and not wait five years to do that.”
To bolster its sustainable credentials, Scarlet Lady has no single use plastics onboard, uses LED lights and technology to ensure the air conditioning turns off when passengers leave the room.
The line is also working to reduce waste, including food waste, with no buffet onboard and all food being made to order.
McAlpin insisted everything the brand was doing with sustainability had been thoroughly researched and was with the aim to “create an epic sea change for all”.