MSC Cruises announced its summer 2022 program of shore excursions, intended to have a strong focus on minimizing the environmental impact of land-based tours and supporting "nature-positive" activities.
More electric and hybrid shuttle buses will be used for guests to shuttle from ports to places of interest in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Spain and Sweden with MSC Cruises aiming to increase the utilization of green ground transportation in the future.
Low carbon footprint excursions will include 150 bicycle tours available in 21 countries, which MSC says are growing in popularity among the line’s guests, and more sustainable shore excursions called ‘Protectours’ will be available.
Marialuisa Iaccarino, Head of Shore Excursions, MSC Cruises said, “Travel and tourism has a very significant role to play in global decarbonization and we need to demonstrate leadership by ensuring that we meet the expectation of travellers who are more aware and engaged in sustainability matters and the protection and enhancement of the natural environment.”
“At MSC Cruises we are determined to prove that the industry is a positive and engaged player in driving sustainable tourism.”
Protectours
First introduced in 2020, up to 70 per cent of Protectours will have a low environmental impact thanks to an increase in the number of walking, hiking, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking excursions ashore with many tours set to make a direct contribution to the environment by helping the protection of habitats and species, MSC highlighted.
In 2021, MSC Cruises worked extensively to provide tour operators with sustainable tourism training and ‘Protectours’ will be available at the start of summer 2022 at 20 ports which is set to grow to up to 90 destinations by the season’s end.
Examples of ‘Protectours’ available include planting trees to replenish lost forests in the Greek island of Rhodes, collecting plastic waste from the beaches of the Adriatic sea, nature walking tours in the Bahamas, making eco-friendly jewellery in Helsinki, Finland, urban farming and beekeeping in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, organic rooftop farming in Copenhagen, Denmark and stone cleaning in Scotland.
Summer 2022 Shore Excursions
MSC Cruises’ summer 2022 shore excursion program will total nearly 1,400 tours, the line’s largest offering to date. Northern Europe will host 640 different excursions, the Mediterranean with 550, and the Caribbean with 200 excursions.
In addition, guests booked on any of MSC Cruises’ summer 2022 shore excursions can benefit from a price reduction of up to 20 per cent if booked in advance. MSC notes that rre-booking guarantees a space on the most popular tours and also guarantees entry to some of the world’s most iconic attractions which may not have walk-up ticket availability on the day of a proposed visit.
MSC also waived its ‘safe bubble’ shore excursions first introduced in 2020 as a result of the pandemic ashore and now guests can make their own sightseeing arrangements subject to the regulations stipulated by local authorities.
The Swiss-based line has a long-term goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions for its operations by 2050. This will be achieved by investing and supporting the accelerated development and implementation of innovative technologies to be deployed across the Company’s fleet of ships.
For more information, visit MSC Cruises' web site.
