Why ahoy there Anne, it's great to welcome you back on land here at planDisney!
It's so great to be able to connect with fellow Canadian cruisers, and as someone who has always been very mindful and observant of how waste is handled in the cruise industry I'm glad that you've returned from
your voyage on the Disney Dream wondering about what happens to the items guests use at
the various dining locations on board while they're drifting on the waves.
During my time living and working on board, the crew had to adhere to strict cleaning and sanitation policies that sometimes required items used by guests to be disposed of; it was very eye-opening to witness the measures in place that not only generated waste but also the way that the company's commitment to recycling meant that crew members were expected to meticulously sort out waste materials to be offloaded or incinerated. You'll be happy to hear that
the Walt Disney Company's 2023 Environmental Goals currently include eliminating single use plastics on cruise ships by 2025 and that the fleet continues to follow
sustainable practices to minimize waste on board. Personally I've been fortunate enough in my career to have a chance to witness the operation that goes into washing thousands of cups, dishes and cutlery to really appreciate how much of a difference reusing these makes - especially on seafaring vessels where space may be limited to be constantly loading and offloading cups with each voyage.
I highly encourage you to ask the Crew Members the next time that you set sail what happens to certain items that you use, and if you get an opportunity to speak with an Environmental Officer on board I've definitely worked alongside some incredible folks who have been open and passionate about the ways that they're hoping to make the industry most sustainable at sea! In the meantime, don't hesitate to
head back over to us here at planDisney for any other nautical knowledge ahead of your next voyage.
Here's hoping we continue onward with less waste as we embark on adventures on the water!
Prince