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Princess Cruises has been honoured by the ports of San Francisco and Victoria, BC, Canada, with awards for the cruise line's environmental efforts.

The Port of San Francisco's Cruise Ship Environmental Award was presented to Sea Princess and Sapphire Princess. The ships earned this distinction during the 2011 season for air emissions reduction, advanced wastewater management, and recycling and disposal programs. Both vessels plugged into the port's new shoreside power system, the first to be implemented in California.

Introduced in 2005, this annual award recognizes cruise ships that exceed environmental regulations and industry standards to greater protect air and water quality. Cruise ships visiting San Francisco four or more times a year that demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding the environment are considered for this award. Princess Cruises ships based in San Francisco have earned this prestigious accolade in each of the last seven years.

The Victoria, B.C. Ogden Point Eco Award recognizes cruise lines who go above and beyond in their efforts to reduce emissions while in the port of Victoria, including using low sulphur fuel. The award cited four Princess ships that called in Victoria during 2011 - Golden Princess, Island Princess, Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess.

"We are always gratified when our ships are recognized for making a difference in local environmental efforts," said Rai Caluori, Princess' executive vice president of fleet operations. "It is important to us that stunning ports such as San Francisco and Victoria continue to offer passengers the natural beauty they come to experience."

"Princess Cruises is committed to environmental practices which set a high standard for excellence and responsibility, and which help preserve the marine environment in which its ships operate. The company's environmental goals and policies go beyond what is required by law and include a zero solid waste discharge policy, state-of-the-art environmental technology and waste management equipment, programs to minimize waste generated, and recycling where possible. The company also pioneered the use of shore power programs in the cruise industry to reduce air emissions," Princess Cruises said.

Image: Coral Princess