tons of carbon offsets purchased1

Sail & Sustain: Our Global Sustainability Program
Driving a Positive Impact on Society and the Environment
At Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, we are committed to driving a positive impact on society and the environment through our global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain. We visit nearly 500 destinations globally, allowing our guests to travel and explore the world, and our business is inextricably linked to the preservation of our planet and the protection of our shared resources.
Learn more about our Sail & Sustain strategyKey Highlights for 2020
Despite the significant public health challenges we face from the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to our ESG priorities has been unwavering. View our key highlights from our 2020 Sail & Sustain environmental, social and governance report:
Reducing Environmental Impact
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Sailing Safely
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Empowering People
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Strengthening Communities
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Operating with Integrity and Accountability
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3M |
24/7/365stringent public health compliance culture |
100%participation in diversity, equity & inclusion training across U.S. shoreside workforce |
100%participation in diversity, equity & inclusion training across U.S. shoreside workforce |
1/3rdfemale representation on Board of Directors |
40%targeted reduction in industry-wide carbon emissions rate by 20302 |
11globally recognized experts assembled to form the Healthy Sail Panel in response to COVID-19 |
~49%women in global shoreside leadership |
$10Mdonated to six Alaska port communities impacted by loss of tourism during COVID-19 |
55%diverse Board of Directors |
~11Msingle-use plastic water bottles and ~50M plastic straws estimated to be eliminated annually across our fleet and two island destinations |
100%of initial voyages upon a resumption of cruising to sail with SailSAFE™ health and safety program, including mandatory vaccinations4 |
~64%ethnically diverse U.S. shoreside employees6 |
$2M+of humanitarian relief provided to organizations worldwide, including joint efforts with JUST Goods, Inc. |
7independent Directors out of 9 members |
100%of ships on order equipped with cold-ironing capabilities |
95combined average score for unannounced CDC ship inspections in U.S. ports in 2019 |
$15/hourminimum wage for all U.S. shoreside employees7 |
$500Ksupport provided to St. Vincent for volcanic relief efforts |
6.1average Board tenure9 |
100%ships with Advanced Wastewater Purification systems |
100%of ships sail with dedicated Public Health Officer onboard |
100%medical insurance premiums covered for furloughed team members due to COVID-198 |
16Feeding America food banks supported in the Southern U.S. to provide relief after Texas and Gulf States severe winter storms |
100%Code of Ethics certification annually |
~45%of total U.S. supply spending with small or diverse businesses in 20203 |
10+ yearsaverage experience of our ship Safety Officers |
~87%voluntary retention rate for U.S. shoreside team in 2020 |
~400Miami cruise longshoremen provided with gift cards totaling $100K |
ZEROtolerance policy for any discrimination or retaliation |
- Commitment to purchase over three-year period, 2021-2023.
- Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) industry-wide commitment
- against 2008 fleet baseline.
- Total U.S. supply spending with small businesses or businesses with minority, veteran or economically disadvantaged qualifications.
- Limited exceptions may be made pursuant to valid medical or religious exemptions.
- Global shoreside manager and above leadership.
- Percentage based on team members who have self-identified.
- Certain positions have a lower base wage but have a combined higher incentive.
- Shoreside team members who are temporarily furloughed.
- As of 4/7/21.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
We are proud to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve a more sustainable future. Our Company touches nearly all 17 SDGs through our day-to-day operations, partnerships and social and community initiatives both locally and at the destinations we visit around the globe. However, we have identified 10 goals where we believe we can make the greatest contribution:
We co-formed the Healthy Sail Panel, a group of 11 globally recognized experts, to inform the development of new and enhanced health and safety standards in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel’s work was widely shared and open to any other industry that could benefit from the scientific and medical insights.
*Limited exceptions may be made pursuant to valid medical or religious exemptions.
Our Company is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workforce, where women are represented, engaged and empowered to generate and execute on innovative ideas.
We have ship-specific plans in place that focus on improving energy efficiency including through improving voyage planning, speed optimization, operating engines on their most economic loads, optimization of HVAC systems, improving our ships’ hydrodynamic capabilities by upgrading the propulsion systems with more efficient propellers, applying low-friction hull coating and using energy-saving LED lights.
We directly employ over 34,000 team members internationally representing over 120 countries across the globe. We also have a significant indirect economic impact at our homeports and the nearly 500 destinations we visit worldwide.
We remain committed to having a positive impact on our local communities, the communities we visit and on the local ecosystems through which we cruise.
We provide significant disaster relief to communities in need including both supplies and funding. For example, we provided $3 million of aid to rebuild the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian, approximately $500K to St. Vincent after the volcanic eruption, nearly $275,000 for rebuilding efforts in Columbia after Hurricane Iota and A$250,000 for Australia bushfire relief efforts.
We promote responsible tourism by providing a variety of shore excursions for guests including our “Go Local” tours which are designed to immerse our guests in the local communities and support local artisans, businesses and markets.
We are committed to working with diverse partners across the supply chain to source safe, high quality, ethically responsible and sustainable products for our guests.
We have a long-term climate action strategy and are continually seeking opportunities to reduce our overall carbon footprint. In 2018 we joined a historic industry commitment to reduce the carbon emissions rate industry-wide by 40% by 2030 compared to 2008 levels.
We voluntarily committed to offset CO2 emissions with a goal of increasing offset purchases each year and eventually reaching carbon neutrality.
Our industry is inextricably linked to our oceans and as such, continual improvement is one of our core responsibilities.
We partner with various organizations to support ocean conservation including Ocean Conservancy and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. We also have a coral reef restoration project in the Bahamas in conjunction with Nova Southeastern University.
Harvest Caye, the Company’s private destination in Belize, is home to a wildlife sanctuary and is also one of the few nesting sites for endangered hawksbill turtles. We established the Harvest Caye Conservation Foundation (HCCF) in partnership with Belize Island Holdings Ltd. as a non-governmental organization whose primary goal is to promote wildlife conservation in Belize. HCCF is dedicated to working with other organizations in Belize and undertaking advocacy and outreach work with schools and communities to promote conservation and awareness of threatened species.

Environmental
Preserving Our Planet
One of our core company values is environmental stewardship. The future of our oceans and the destinations we visit is vital to our industry, and all of us. We have implemented innovative environmental technologies across our fleet.
Learn About Our Environmental Initiatives
Social
Empowering and Protecting People & Uplifting Communities
We empower and support our team members, strengthen communities and protect our stakeholders as we sail safely around the globe. Our goal is to leave each place a little better than we found out. Find out how our teams rebuild disaster areas, celebrate everyday heroes and more.
Learn About Our Social Impact
Governance
Operating with Integrity and Accountability
We have a strong corporate governance system in place to provide high standards of transparency and accountability and strive to be a leader in ethics and responsible business practices.
Learn About Our Governance
Reporting and Downloads
We invite you to learn more about our Sail & Sustain accomplishments and are pleased to offer these materials for you to access at your leisure.
Access Our Reporting and Downloads