The Zaandam left from Vancouver on April 22 (Earth Day) on a 19-day itinerary that will visit Hawaii after undergoing a two-week drydock during which the technology was installed on the ship, the first cruise ship in the industry to be fitted with the system, according to HAL.

"This is a ship like no other in the cruise industry," said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of HAL. "After studies and modifications of the ship's new test emissions technology, it could dramatically change not only the cruise industry but the entire maritime industry by reducing ship engine emissions."

The scrubber uses seawater to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions from diesel exhaust and significantly reduces particulate matter emissions, HAL said. The sea water is then treated to remove harmful components. So far, it hasn't been adapted for large vessels, the cruise line added.

HAL said that it launched the project in cooperation with several U.S. and Canadian government and regulatory agencies at a cost of more than $1.5 million, of which $300,000 was paid for by an Environmental Protection Agency/West Coast Collaborative grant and $100,000 by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

"This project shows how Holland America Line focuses on new technologies and best practices to bolster our existing award-winning environmental programs," said Kruse. "We will continue to go above and beyond international requirements, as we have for many years, now in the operation of our vessels."