Bringing cruise ship sustainability initiatives to life through Hollywood content

In an age where content reigns supreme, the art of curation takes center stage. For cruise lines that have already begun to move the needle to meet industry-wide sustainability goals by 2050, the use of curated movie licensing can be a dynamic and influential force to enhance the narrative.

Swank On-Board Movies brings content from all the top Hollywood studios and channel partners. Imagine having programming that aligns with your sustainability efforts to bring guests along with you. Below are just a few examples of initiatives cruise ships have in place along with movies and documentaries that provide further reminders of this sustainability commitment to guests.

Whether it’s a straw, a plastic bag or a plastic water bottle, single-use items’ convenience makes it easy to forget the environmental impact they have on our oceans, wildlife and health. As cruise ships find better ways to reduce usage of single-use plastic items, they can also remind guests of why this reduction is important to them, so they can get on board and help the cause. A couple of content titles that can support this message are:

• Plastic Earth: The first documentary feature film of its kind to cover the solutions and technologies being worked on in the world today to combat and eventually solve the global plastic crisis.
• reFashioned: Three passionate Hong Kongers strive to disrupt the textile and recycling industries by innovating sustainable solutions to change mindsets and transition towards a circular economy before the landfills overflow.

One of the challenges for every vessel is getting and carrying enough water. Water is heavy and can shift and affect the ship’s balance.  People on ships need drinking and washing water, and cruise lines have invested heavily in filtration systems to reduce the amounts of bunkered water they have to purchase at port communities. Content titles to help educate guests on the importance of water conservation include:

• Deep Blue: A voyage through aquatic realms where humans have rarely dared to go. Waddle with playful penguins, dart with lightning speed through schools of sharks, ride over stormy waves with massive whales and view rare alien-like creatures.
• Aliens of the Deep: James Cameron teams up with NASA scientists to explore the Mid-Ocean Ridge, a submerged chain of mountains that band the Earth and are home to some of the planet's most unique life forms.

The cruise industry continues to grow and fight criticism for its impact on the environment and coastal communities. To combat the higher CO2 levels that they historically emit, newer ships have state of the art engines that produce less emissions into the water and air. As the industry continues to drive innovation for a more efficient future, they have set a goal of net-zero carbon cruising by 2050. To go along with the current initiatives, content to help guests understand the importance include:

• The 11th Hour: Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the documentary looks at the state of the global environment, including visionary and practical solutions for restoring the planet's ecosystems.
• Islands of the Future (series): A look at islands that have embraced sustainable energy.

Another challenge for cruise ships is managing waste generated by ship operations and passengers in a limited space. Whether it is composting food waste or investing in an onboard waste treatment plant, many new ships are finding ways to convert waste to energy on board to expand on their green initiatives. Movies that can help explain this importance include:

• Napoli Eden: Napoli Eden is an inspirational cinematic odyssey that highlights environmental protection through the theme of transforming recycled aluminum into works of art.
• Trees and Other Entanglements: Irene Taylor crafts a poetic meditation on nature, mortality and the passage of time in her exploration of our symbiotic nexus with trees.
• Saving My Tomorrow (series): Starring Willie Nelson, Susan Sarandon and Neil deGrasse Tyson, children who will inherit the planet share a collection of songs, activism and heartfelt tips for protecting the earth.

Beyond what cruise ships do themselves, they must also commit to working with diverse partners across the supply chain who align to their values and environmental initiatives. Partners must source safe, high-quality, ethically responsible and sustainable products for guests. Titles that can further educate and inspire guests include:

• The Biggest Little Farm: Documentarian John Chester and his wife Molly work to develop a sustainable farm on 200 acres outside of Los Angeles.
• Food Choices: This ground-breaking documentary explores the impact that food choices have on people's health, the health of our planet and on the lives of other living species.
• Sustenance: A feature-length documentary about food's journey around the world, exploring controversies revolving around food and its interconnectedness with justice, climate change and sustainability.

Entertainment can be a powerful ally in cruise lines’ sustainability efforts. Whether in-cabin, in a theater or on personal devices, curated content, such as movies, documentaries and short programming, can be a bridge that connects cruise line initiatives with guests. This engagement fosters awareness, brand affinity, trust and a shared commitment to a more sustainable future.

Swank On-Board Movies brings content from all the top Hollywood studios and channel partners and an experienced team that works alongside cruise line guest experience leaders.

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