Royal Caribbean Group’s 2021 Sustainability Report Highlights Revamped ESG Framework

Royal Caribbean Group’s annual Seastainability® report provides a comprehensive update on the company’s progress and commitment with respect to environmental, social, and governance (ESG).

New for 2021, Royal Caribbean Group revamped its ESG framework to better reflect the company’s contributions to a more sustainable cruise industry. The ESG framework focuses on five distinct ways to deliver great vacation experiences responsibly: Champion communities and the environment; provide unforgettable cruise experiences; foster human rights and be an employer of choice; advance net zero innovation; and govern responsibly.

Royal Caribbean and Certified Tour Operators

Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) deepened their commitment to responsible tourism in 2016 when they set a goal to offer guests 1,000 shore excursions certified to the GSTC Criteria by 2020—an outcome of their partnership with WWF.

Tour operators that are certified to the GSTC Industry Criteria agree to protect the overall health of destinations, preserve local heritage, maximize social and economic benefits to the community, and reduce negative impacts to the environment from travel related waste. Certification through GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies enables RCG to align their sustainability philosophy with the practices of their third-party tour operators.

By 2021, they had more than doubled their 2020 goal, with 2,000-plus sustainable tours available to guests. Moving forward, they plan to continue making certification a centerpiece of their responsible tourism efforts, including their own private Perfect Day at CocoCay destination.

RCG continues to make strides in their sustainable destination work and introduced the GSTC to the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), which has now launched a series of GSTC Destination Assessments in key cruise destinations.

Read the full report

Royal Caribbean Group is committed to transparently reporting ongoing progress and invites you to visit www.royalcaribbeangroup.com periodically for updates throughout the year.

Royal Caribbean Group’s 2021 Seastainability Report (May 2022)

Become a Certified Sustainable Tour Operator

Sustainability certification (also known as an eco-label) for tour operators is a voluntary, third-party assessment through an audit to ensure compliance with sustainable tourism standards. GSTC does not conduct certification. Global Certification Bodies (CB) conduct certification, while GSTC acts as the international body for sustainable tourism certification.

Tour operators certified by a GSTC-Accredited CB can use the GSTC logo along with the CB’s mark. The logos are also shared with OTAs and other buyers of tours.

Learn more about how to become certified as a sustainable tour operator.