Rough seas or smooth sailing? The cruise industry is booming despite environmental concerns

[Pelican Press 0]

Rough seas or smooth sailing? The cruise industry is booming despite environmental concerns

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Cruise ship season is officially underway in British Columbia. The season kicked off with the arrival of Norwegian Bliss on April 3—the

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that are scheduled to dock in Victoria this year. Victoria saw a record 970,000 passengers arrive in 2023, with more expected in 2024.

The cruise industry

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by the

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in 2020. Fueled by heavy consumer demand and industry innovation, cruising has made a comeback. It is now one of the fastest-growing sectors, rebounding even faster than international tourism.

While many predicted

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, a

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. Two million more people went on cruises in 2023 versus 2019, with demand predicted to top 35 million in 2024.

But environmental issues plague the sector’s revival. Are they an indication of rough seas ahead? Or will a responsive industry mean smooth sailing?

Cruising has long been criticized

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: on the surface, cruises are convenient, exciting holidays with reputed economic benefits. But lurking underneath are its

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.

Unprecedented growth

Newly constructed mega-ships are part of the industry’s unprecedented growth. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the

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, with 18 decks, 5,600 passengers and 2,350 crew.

MSC World Europa with 6,700 passengers and 2,100 crew, P&O Arvia with 5,200 passengers and 1,800 crew, and Costa Smeralda with 6,600 passengers and 1,500 crew also claim mega-ship status.

Those sailing to and from Alaska via Victoria will be some of the

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on massive ships three sport fields in length.

Baby boomers represent less than 25 percent of cruise clientele. Gen X,

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have more interest than ever in cruising, with these younger markets being targeted as the future of cruise passengers.

The Cruise Lines International Association asserts that

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. To entice first-timers and meet the needs of repeat cruisers, companies are offering new itineraries and onboard activities, from

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to

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and lawn bowling.

Solo cruise travel is also on the rise, and

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is flourishing, explaining the extensive variety of cabin classes, activities and restaurants available on newly constructed and retrofitted ships.

However, only a few cruise ports are large enough to dock mega ships. Cruise lines are responding by offering off-beat experiences and catering more to the distinct desires of travelers.

In doing so, there is a

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, river cruises and

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. Leveraging lesser-known ports that can only be accessed via compact luxury ships

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for the eco-minded traveler.

Cruising and environmental costs

Cruise ship visitors are known to negatively impact Marine World Heritage sites. While most sites regulate ballast water and wastewater discharge, there are

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.

Cruise ship journeys along Canada’s west coast, for example,

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.

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concluded that a cruise tourist generates eight times more carbon emissions per day than a land tourist in Seattle.

Also, a rise in expedition cruising means more negative impacts (long-haul flights to farther ports, less destination management in fragile ecosystems,

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) and a rise in carbon dioxide emissions.

Toxic air pollutants from cruise ships around ports are higher than pre-pandemic levels,

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.” Last year, Europe’s 218 cruise ships emitted as much sulfur oxides as one billion cars—a high number, considering the introduction of the

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Rough seas ahead or smooth sailing?

Royal Caribbean said its Icon of the Seas is designed to

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for new ships. International Maritime Organization regulations

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than those built in 2014.

But despite the industry using liquefied natural gas instead of heavy fuel oil and electric shore power to turn off diesel engines when docking, industry critics still claim

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. As a result, some cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona and Venice are

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.

Environmental critiques remain strong, especially for

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. The industry must respond and

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, but their measures remain reactive (i.e., merely meeting international regulations) rather than proactive. In addition, by sailing their ships under

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, cruise companies evade taxes and demonstrate an unwillingness to abide by a nation’s environmental, health and labor regulations.

In any case, environmental concerns are escalating along with the industry.

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and should help promote cruise lines that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices.

Local residents need to expect more from port authorities and local governments in order

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. Cruise consumers should recognize the environmental costs of cruising, and demand accountability and transparency from cruise lines.

Provided by
The Conversation

This article is republished from

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under a Creative Commons license. Read the

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Citation:
Rough seas or smooth sailing? The cruise industry is booming despite environmental concerns (2024, May 1)
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