For nearly a century, the Globus family of brands has shed light on the world’s most fascinating places and people – allowing travelers to bask in their glory, intrigue, and wonder. As we explore ancient pathways, historic hallways, and storied sidewalks of the world around us, we gain deeper knowledge, compassion, and understanding of the world and its people than ever before.
By partnering with like-minded organizations that care for our planet and the people and places we cherish, we’re committed to playing our part in advancing causes through conservation, preservation, and humanitarian partnerships.
Vital Ground Foundation
Vital Ground Foundation protects and restores habitat for grizzly bears across the Northern Rockies and Inland Northwest. By securing key wildlife corridors and open spaces, they help safeguard not just bears, but entire ecosystems. We care about this work because protecting wild places ensures future guests can experience the same awe-inspiring landscapes we enjoy today.
Paws for this Cause: Our Promise for Ethical Wildlife Encounters
The Globus family believes the world's four-legged, furry, feathered, and fragile wildlife populations are precious to our planet—and in need of protection. As part of our commitment to the welfare of wildlife worldwide, Globus has adopted the guidelines of World Animal Protection to end the use of wild animals as entertainment. By creating an animal welfare policy, we are committed to protect wild animals by not selling, offering, or promoting venues or activities involving wild animal entertainment, such as rides, bathing, walks, and shows. We will only offer responsible viewing of wild animals in the wild or semi-wild habitats and with a high standard of animal welfare and conservation.
Keeping the world in its best light.
At Avalon, we travel with intention — and with respect for the world around us. That’s why we partner with Trees4Travel through a Hybrid Climate Contribution — a voluntary and fully traceable investment in climate action that supports our ongoing efforts to reduce our own environmental impact.
Each contribution blends nature based restoration with verified United Nations Renewable Energy Carbon Credits. A tree is planted to help restore ecosystems and support local communities, and a portion of a UN issued carbon credit — representing 164.1 kg CO₂e — is retired from clean energy projects under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Every unit comes with a certificate linking directly to the UN registry, offering transparent proof of carbon credit retirement.
It’s a thoughtful, responsible way we contribute to global climate resilience — a supplementary action that complements the care we take every day to create bigger experiences with smaller footprints.
Recognized for high environmental and safety standards.
Avalon Waterways has been honored by Europe's Green Award, recognizing our Suite Ship® fleet for meeting the program's high safety and environmental standards. This independent award is granted to river cruise ships based on criteria including engine performance, fuel consumption, waste management, maintenance practices, and pollution prevention.
The planet-focused initiatives we support include:
- Trees4Travel
- Wildlife Conservation Network, Lion Recovery Fund
- Ecostyle Reforestation and Conservation Project
- Endangered Wildlife Trust: Conservation Canine Project
- Endangered Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin Project
Additionally, we shine a light on the following organizations through a combination of vacation visits and donations:
- Monkey Rehabilitation Center, Brazil
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Baby Elephant & Rhino Rescue, Kenya
- National Kiwi Conservation Project, New Zealand
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Australia
- The Kangaroo Sanctuary, Australia
- Elephant Nature Park, Thailand
- Giraffe Center, Nairobi
- Kariega Foundation, South Africa
Responsible Cruising. Remarkable Experiences.
Avalon Waterways is committed to responsible operations and practices across its Suite Ship® fleet. This commitment extends to many aspects of our operations, from how we power and propel our ships to the environmental management practices we implement onboard, as well as the community and conservation initiatives we support. Together, these efforts reflect our dedication to operating responsibly while helping guests experience the world's rivers in a thoughtful and meaningful way.
Shaping Better Journeys for Tomorrow
Avalon is committed to continuously improving its operations through efficiency measures and responsible practices across its suite of river cruise experiences. Our Suite Ships® incorporate technologies designed to support energy efficiency and operational performance, while our waste reduction, recycling, and resource management initiatives form part of our approach to managing environmental impacts. Avalon’s efforts have been recognized by the Green Award Foundation, which has granted Green Award status to our entire European fleet, including a Gold Award for Avalon Alegria.
We continue to evaluate opportunities to improve our operations and explore new technologies that may support our long-term sustainability objectives.
Our Practices Today
- Eliminated single-use plastics onboard our ships and at operations offices worldwide
- Reduced onboard paper use by 80% through digital communications
- Sourced locally produced foods where feasible to support local suppliers
- Installed LED lighting throughout the fleet
- Worked with ports to utilize shore power where available while docked
- Signed an agreement with the river cruise trade union providing enhanced employment standards and protections for crew members
Looking Ahead
Avalon continues to evaluate opportunities related to alternative fuels, electrification technologies, shore power utilization, resource efficiency, and other operational improvements as part of its ongoing commitment to responsible operations.
Helping the communities of the world shine.
It's not just the landscapes and landmarks that make travel meaningful, it's the people, cultures, and traditions that bring destinations to life. Through the Lighthouse Project, we support organizations and initiatives that serve communities around the world and help foster cultural understanding, education, skills development, and community engagement.
The organizations we support reflect our commitment to meaningful connections and responsible travel experiences.
The people-focused organizations we support include:
- Landmine Design
- Pathways Project
- The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
- Friends International
Additionally, we shine a light on the following organizations through a combination of vacation visits and donations:
- Local orphanage, Cambodia
- KOTO Hospitality Training Center, Vietnam
- Local school English class, Cambodia
- Local school, Tanzania
- Indigenous Amazon communities (via lodge stays), Ecuador and Peru
- Home visits, Peru
- Ladli Child Vocational Program, India
- Canadian and U.S. Indigenous Tourism Associations
- Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, Dubai
- Uluru Cultural Centre, Australia
- Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne, Australia
Reflecting on the past and supporting the future.
The parks, palaces, museums, and monuments we enjoy today reflect the dedication of those who have helped preserve them over time. Through the Lighthouse Project, we support cultural, historical, and heritage organizations whose work helps maintain and celebrate these important places for future generations.
While every destination is meaningful to us, here are some of the sites and organizations we have supported, many of which are also featured on our journeys.
- National Civil Rights Museum, Tennessee*
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho*
- Yosemite National Park, Nevada, California*
- Squamish Lil’Wat Centre, British Columbia*
- USS Arizona Memorial, Hawaii*
*Visit on trip
- World War II Memorial Museum, Louisiana*
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, New Mexico*
- Alaska Native American Heritage Center, Alaska*
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site, Alberta*
- Museum of the Cherokee Indian, North Carolina*
As active participants in the global travel community for nearly a century, we're proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to supporting cultural heritage, local communities, and responsible stewardship of the destinations we visit. Our collaborations with organizations such as Tourism Cares reflect our commitment to fostering responsible and meaningful travel experiences