How Cruise Sustainability Affects Your Vacation with Joel Balsam

We sit down with travel journalist Joel Balsam to explore what sustainability really looks like in cruising today. From Norway’s electric-first mindset to Havila’s hybrid ships powered by biogas and massive battery systems, we unpack how innovation is reshaping the industry.We share how this directly impacts your experience—quieter, near-silent sailing through pristine landscapes, more intentional dining that reduces waste, and protecting the wildlife and destinations you came to see.We also get honest about the pros, limits, and future of greener travel. If you want to cruise more consciously without sacrificing the experience, this episode shows why it matters—for your trip now and the future of travel.Follow Joel’s travels and read his fantastic articles on Instagram and his website: Joel’s website: https://joelbalsam.com/Instagram @joelbalsam: https://www.instagram.com/joelbalsam/ Ask a question or send fan mail.Support the show👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday. Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing📩 Sign up for our newsletter.🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.  📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us.©2026 Small Ship Cruise Talk. All rights reserved. May contain affiliate links. Some trips and experiences have been hosted. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are our own.