What Is an LNG-Powered Cruise Ship? And Why It’s Changing the Industry

Liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is a cleaner alternative to traditional cruise ship fuels. With a growing number of LNG-powered cruise ships on the water, questions are being raised about how much of an impact they’ll actually make.

While this fuel does reduce certain emissions and pollutants, the actual environmental impact is a little more nuanced. I’ll share my own experiences on LNG ships and explain how they could be a big step forward for the cruise industry, but they aren’t a complete solution.

What is an LNG-Powered Cruise Ship?

But first, I need to tell you what an LNG cruise ship is! Well, it’s a cruise ship that doesn’t use traditional fuels; instead, it uses liquefied natural gas (LNG), which generates enough energy to power the propellers of a ship.

What Is LNG?

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a colorless and non-toxic liquid formed when natural gas is cooled to -260°F (-162°C). This cooling process transforms the gas into a liquid state, which is where it gets its name.

By keeping it at these incredibly low temperatures, the volume of the gas is reduced by nearly 600 times, which makes it much easier to store and transport.

The liquified gas itself is composed mostly of methane, a greenhouse gas that can damage the environment when released in high volumes. That said, it can still be more environmentally friendly than traditional fuels used to power large vessels like cruise ships.

This is because LNG burns cleaner than those messy fuel types, meaning burning it to power cruise ships and other large vessels results in fewer emissions. Lower levels of sulfur, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter are released into the air and water, allowing the cruise industry to lower its emissions by roughly 30%.

Thirty percent might not sound too crazy until you remember that nearly 360 cruise ships are operating in the world right now, and many of these cruise ships are enormous vessels that spend most of the year traversing the world’s major waterways.

The cumulative impact could be incredible if a growing percentage of those ships can start using a fuel that reduces emissions by roughly 30%.

Read Also: What Fuel Do Cruise Ships Use?

That said, LNG is not a perfect solution to the problem of high emissions. For starters, methane itself is a greenhouse gas, meaning that when it enters the planet’s atmosphere, it helps trap heat, contributing to global warming.

Then there’s the fact that the fuel can leak and spill into the environment during transportation, production, or even from the cruise ships themselves.

If this feels a little heavy on the science, don’t worry. I’ll compare it to the traditional fuels the cruise industry uses, which will give you an idea of why LNG cruise ships are such a big deal right now. We’ll then look at when the first LNG ships set sail and how this fuel impacts passengers.

Fuel Showdown: LNG vs Traditional Fuels

I’ve mentioned that burning LNG releases roughly 30% of the emissions of traditional fuels, but what are those conventional fuels, and which emissions do they release?

Before the emergence of liquified natural gas, the modern cruise industry relied on two types of fuel: marine gas oil (MGO) and heavy fuel oil (HFO).

Although both are known for generating high levels of carbon emissions and releasing various particulates when they are burned, they have been seen as practical fuels for large cruise ships.

Basically, MGO is the better of the two traditional fuels, as it is lighter, more heavily refined, and releases fewer emissions than HFO. In contrast, HFO is more cost-effective, so it helps cruise lines save money but is worse for the environment.

While powering a large ship with MGO is better for the environment than doing so with HFO, it can still release high levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulates into the air.

So, how do LNG-powered ships compare? Well, here’s a quick rundown: LNG combustion can reduce sulfur emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 85%, and carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 25%. When combined with noticeable reductions in other pollutants, the numbers are pretty staggering.

So, LNG Is Better Than Other Fuels?

Unfortunately, LNG isn’t a flawless solution to the cruise industry’s emissions issues. For starters, there is a process known as methane slip, a phenomenon where unburned methane escapes into the atmosphere when LNG is burned. Given how harmful methane is to the atmosphere and global warming, this process is a serious concern.

In other words, relying on LNG helps by significantly reducing CO₂, NOx, and SOx emissions but also greatly increases methane emissions.

With methane being a major concern for the atmosphere and having the potential to heat the planet more than 80 times more than carbon dioxide over the same period, releasing methane into the air through methane slip is not something the cruise industry can take lightly.

On top of that, there’s always the risk that this liquified natural gas could leak due to a major spill during transportation or from a cruise ship itself. If that happens, the environmental impact could be disastrous.

In addition, retrofitting existing ships with LNG-burning systems is incredibly complex and costly, and the process itself isn’t great for the environment.

It may sound confusing, but the main takeaway is that LNG cruise ships are technically cleaner than those that burn traditional fuels but are far from perfect. It’s also difficult to update existing cruise ships with these systems, so we mostly see new ships equipped with the sophisticated fuel storage systems needed for LNG fuel.

Setting Sail: The First LNG Cruise Ship

AIDA Cruises, a cruise line owned by the Carnival Corporation, launched AIDAnova in December 2018. This moment marked the debut of the first ever fully LNG-powered cruise ship.

This ship was built under contract by Meyer Werft shipbuilding company in Papenburg, Germany. Thanks to its use of an LNG-powered drive system, the German government awarded the ship the “Blauer Engel” environmental seal.

Three enormous tanks in the ship’s center hold roughly 37,673 square feet of liquified natural gas, enough fuel to power a full two-week cruise vacation.

While AIDAnova is most famous for adopting LNG as a fuel source, she is also an enormous and nicely outfitted ship. With 2,626 staterooms and suites, she can carry up to 6,654 passengers at maximum capacity. With a gross tonnage of 183,858, she remains one of the 15 largest cruise ships in the world.

The Impact of AIDAnova

The launch of AIDAnova was a big step forward for the cruise industry. Labeled “The Cleanest Cruise Ship,” her high-profile launch made headlines and pushed other cruise lines, like MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean, to add LNG-powered cruise ships to their fleets.

MSC World Europa was launched in December 2021 as another fully LNG-powered cruise ship. Built in the Chantiers de l’Antique shipyard on the western coast of France, she didn’t just become the first LNG vessel in the MSC Cruises fleet; she was also the cruise line’s biggest, with a gross tonnage of 215,863 GT.

MSC World America was constructed alongside MSC World Europa, and was released shortly after her sister ship.

As the two largest and “cleanest” ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, their construction was a major step forward for the cruise line, and the smaller AIDAnova’s LNG propulsion system was used as direct inspiration during their construction.

Around the same time, AIDA Cruises ordered AIDAnova, Disney Cruise Line ordered an LNG-powered ship of their own from Meyer Werft. It took longer to construct, partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish was the cruise line’s first LNG ship.

Carnival’s Mardi Gras was also ordered shortly after the Carnival Corporation ordered AIDAnova. Like her sister ship, AIDAnova, her Azimuth Propulsion Drive System is also powered by LNG fuel.

Since the launch of these ships, LNG-powered cruise ships have really taken center stage, with Royal Caribbean International launching Icon of the Seas, which was launched as the world’s largest cruise ship in early 2024.

With LNG now being used as the primary fuel type for some of the largest and most iconic cruise ships, it’s clear that it now plays a major role in the industry.

Greener or Greedy? Environmental Impact of LNG

Given that some of the world’s biggest and most profitable cruise lines have invested heavily in LNG technology, the question remains: Is this move a genuine effort to reduce the environmental impact of their cruise ships, or is it just a marketing ploy designed to entice environmentally conscious customers and curb environmental regulations?

Well, it’s a complex question with an equally complex answer. For starters, there is no getting around the fact that burning LNG significantly reduces the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. This can improve air quality, especially in high-traffic areas like major cruise ports.

However, the risk of methane slip remains a significant concern. So, in one way, these cruise ships trade certain emissions and particulates for methane emissions.

Even the most sophisticated LNG propulsion systems are not 100% efficient, meaning some unburned methane will always get released into the atmosphere during combustion. 

On top of that, potential leaks would be disastrous for the environment, which is why plenty of environmental groups and advocates argue that LNG is not quite the clean and sustainable fuel solution some cruise lines portray it to be.

Even the UN Environment Program highlights that research on methane emissions has concluded that the risk associated with transporting and producing LNG negates the fact that it is a cleaner fuel to burn.

So, are LNG-burning cruise ships actually a perfect long-term solution to the cruise industry’s environmental impact? No, it isn’t. But even the fact cruise lines are making efforts to reduce emissions and reduce their impact on the climate is hugely encouraging.

Cruise lines are also investing billions of dollars in alternative technologies to help them stay at the forefront of green technology.

Solid oxide fuel cell technology is one such technology, while others are working on bio-LNG and hydrogen fuel cell technology. The cruise industry is even making strides in incorporating solar and wind technology into ships and ports.

Why Cruise Guests Should Care

While all of these goals and environmental investments seem distant from the average cruise passenger’s onboard experience, the more widespread adoption of LNG technology can actually improve it.

Improving the Onboard Experience

For starters, LNG engines produce less noise than those powered by traditional fuel sources. While most modern cruise ships are surprisingly quiet, having noticeably quieter engines can make for a much more peaceful onboard experience, especially if you spend time near the lower aft section of the ship.

Some also say that LNG-powered cruise ships provide a smoother ride, making it a much more pleasant experience when combined with a quieter cruise.

While you may not notice it while you are actually on board a cruise ship, having cruise ships burn cleaner fuel that results in reduced emissions can also help improve air quality. 

You may not be able to notice reduced ship exhaust and cleaner air while enjoying your cruise ship’s decks, but you certainly can if you spend time visiting busy cruise ports. The cumulative impact of having multiple cruise ships using a cleaner-burning fuel can be really apparent in the busiest ports.

Reducing Environmental Impact

For those concerned about their carbon footprint and their vacations’ impact on the environment, choosing cruise companies that prioritize their own environmental impact by using LNG-powered ships can be worthwhile.

Personally, I like the idea of supporting cruise lines that are investing in ways to reduce their carbon footprint, even if LNG is not the perfect wonder fuel it was initially advertised as being.

One of my favorite things about taking a cruise is looking out into the pristine ocean and seeing untouched coastlines from the peace and quiet of one of the ship’s outdoor areas. 

Knowing that I’m spending my vacation dollars in a way that supports cruise lines trying to reduce their impact on those environments is well worth it. It’s just an added bonus that many of the LNG-powered cruise ships also happen to be some of the biggest and most impressive.

Ultimately, if a growing number of cruise passengers choose cruise lines that heavily focus on eco-consciousness in their branding, the industry will respond to those trends and invest more heavily in green technology and waste reduction. 

We have already seen how regulatory pressures have combined with market demands to push the cruise industry towards carbon neutrality by 2050, a goal they seem to be on track to meet.

The Debate Heats Up: LNG Controversy

By now, I’ve hinted that a growing number of critics are arguing that LNG is just a transitional fuel rather than a long-term solution.

This criticism has been reported in major news outlets, making the general public more aware that LNG-powered cruise ships aren’t automatically the “clean cruise ships” the cruise industry claims them to be.

Major environmental organizations, like Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation, argue that releasing unburned methane emissions and the huge risk associated with fracking and transporting liquified natural gas make it a dangerous fuel rather than a sustainable alternative to traditional cruise ship fuels.

While there is certainly a major pushback against LNG-powered cruise ships or at least the idea that they are a miracle solution to the cruise industry’s emissions problems, the cruise industry itself seems to be taking a stance that it is doing everything it can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

In other words, they view LNG technology as a step in the right direction rather than the finish line for what it plans to do in the future.

Outside the industry, environmental regulators oversee the cruise industry, like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who also acknowledge the need for the industry to continue innovating new green technology and adding it to their operations and ships. 

These regulatory visions go beyond just introducing low greenhouse gas fuels, with the IMO introducing a set timeline for how much greenhouse gases should be reduced by the entire organization over a set number of years.

Ships Leading the Way: Current LNG-Powered Vessels

I already mentioned how several cruise lines were quick to place orders for new LNG-powered cruise ships after AIDAnova was first ordered, but the number of LNG cruise ships now sailing has grown substantially.

To give you an idea of how big of a presence LNG cruise ships now have across the cruise industry, here’s just a quick overview of the many cruise ships that are powered by LNG technology:

AIDA Cruises

After pioneering the LNG movement with AIDAnova in 2018, Aida Cruises unveiled AIDAnova’s sister ship, AIDACosma, in 2021. AIDA Cruises later retrofitted an existing Sphinx-class ship called AIDASol with LNG technology.

While AIDASol does not run completely on LNG, it is now classed as an LNG hybrid vessel. This means that it tends to use LNG fuel while in port to help reduce marine emissions while docked.

Carnival Cruise Line

Given that Carnival Corporation owns AIDA Cruises, the company has been involved in the LNG movement since the very beginning. As for ships that sail under the Carnival Cruise Line banner, I already mentioned how Mardi Gras was launched with a full LNG propulsion system in 2020.

After the success of Carnival’s Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line launched a sister ship to Mardi Gras called Carnival Celebration. Launched in 2022, it was the second LNG-fueled ship to join the fleet.

In December of the following year, a third Excel-class ship called Carnival Jubilee was launched with an LNG-based propulsion system, bringing Carnival Cruise Line’s total of LNG cruise ships to three.

There are plans to add additional LNG-powered Excel-class vessels to the fleet, with the upcoming Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale set to join in 2027 and 2028 if construction goes ahead as scheduled.

Norwegian Cruise Line

It may sound surprising, but Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t operate any LNG cruise ships. NCL claims to have a longer-term vision for reducing emissions, with much of its focus going into biofuels and methanol-powered propulsion technology.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is another cruise line that became interested in adopting LNG technology quickly. After launching in 2022 and becoming one of the biggest ships in the fleet, MSC World Europa now acts as the cruise line’s flagship LNG-powered vessel.

As mentioned, the cruise line’s latest ship, MSC World America, is powered by LNG. There are also plans to expand their existing fleet with two new LNG-powered ships in 2026 and 2027—the latter being MSC World Asia, another LNG-powered World-class ship.

Disney Cruise Line

As of now, Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny are the only ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet to be powered by LNG, but there are plans to expand their LNG offerings.

Disney Cruise Line has really leaned into adding an eco-friendly focus to its marketing, so it’s not overly surprising that it has placed orders for even more of these low-emissions cruise ships.

Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises also has two LNG cruise ships in its fleet, Costa Smeralda, launched in 2019, and Costa Toscana, following in 2021. Like Carnival Jubilee, they were constructed by Meyer Werft and are also called Excellence-class cruise ships.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises added P&O Iona (184,089 GT) to its fleet in 2020, which became its first LNG-powered cruise ship. She is another Excellence-class ship and was joined by P&O Arvia in 2022.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises was one of the later cruise lines to add an LNG cruise ship to their fleet, with Sun Princess (177,882 GT) being launched in 2024. Since then, Princess Cruises has added a second LNG-powered Sphere-class cruise ship called Star Princess. 

The second ship was constructed in Fincantieri’s Shipyard in Italy, making her the largest LNG-powered ship ever built in the country.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International is another cruise line that was relatively late to join the LNG party but made a huge impact when it did in 2024.

Icon of the Seas was the first LNG ship in its fleet, but it also happens to be part of the world’s largest class of cruise ship. Having such an ambitious build be powered entirely by LNG was a huge step forward for low-emissions shipbuilding.

Read Also: Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas – A Giant Comparison

Utopia of the Seas (236,473 GT), a smaller Oasis-class ship, also features an LNG propulsion system and was launched in July 2024. The Star of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, and Hero of the Seas are full LNG systems.

TUI Cruises

TUI Cruises, a smaller German cruise line, has launched two LNG cruise ships. Their first, Mein Schiff Relax, launched in November of 2023. She was joined by a second LNG-powered InTUItion-class cruise ship called Mein Schiff Flow in early 2025.

See You on an LNG Cruise Ship!

LNG technology might not be the miracle cure to the cruise industry’s environmental woes that it was first advertised as being, but its widespread adoption does show that the industry is taking its environmental impact seriously, which is a big step in the right direction.

Read Also: How Much Fuel Does a Cruise Ship Hold?

With more LNG cruise ships on the way and the added benefit of a quieter, smoother ride for passengers, you just might find yourself on an LNG ship on your next cruise vacation!