Are cruise ships bad for the environment? As the popularity of cruising continues to grow, so do concerns about its environmental impact so it's a fair question.
Sustainability has been ranked by half of people as an important factor when booking a cruise holiday, a survey from Mundy Cruising found.
This compares to just 14% who thought it was not important. And 57% they trust the industry to do the right thing on green issues, compared to just 12% who don’t.
Interestingly more than half of respondents (55%) believe that small ship cruises are more sustainable than bigger vessels.
I am increasingly seeing clients ask for concrete technical details of what the cruise lines are doing on board to minimise their impact on the environment, and I'm always happy to do this.
What is the environmental impact of cruise ships?
Cruise ships are essentially floating cities, complete with restaurants, entertainment venues, and accommodation for hundreds or even thousands of passengers. They are big! And with a big sizes comes big responsibility. Here are some of the main environmental concerns:
Air Pollution
Some cruise ships rely on heavy fuel oil (HFO), a type of marine fuel that is high in sulfur and other pollutants. When burned, it releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to global warming, acid rain, and respiratory problems in humans.
Water Pollution
Cruise ships generate large amounts of wastewater, including sewage, grey water (from sinks, showers, and laundry), and bilge water (oil-contaminated water from the ship's engine room). While regulations require treatment of this waste before discharge, illegal dumping and accidental spills still occur sadly, leading to ocean pollution and harm to marine life.
Waste Management
With so many people on board, cruise ships produce a considerable amount of solid waste, including plastics, food waste, and packaging. Improper disposal of waste can lead to ocean pollution, and even when disposed of correctly, the sheer volume of waste generated is a significant environmental challenge.
Impact on Marine Life
The noise and vibrations from cruise ships can disturb marine life, particularly whales and dolphins. Additionally, the discharge of untreated ballast water (used for ship stability) can introduce invasive species to new environments, disrupting local ecosystems.
What is the cruise industry doing to address sustainability?
In response to growing environmental concerns, the cruise industry has begun to put measures in place aimed at reducing its ecological footprint. Here are some of the steps being taken:
Cleaner Fuels and Emission Controls
Many cruise lines are transitioning to cleaner fuels, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), which emits fewer pollutants than traditional marine fuels. Additionally, ships are being equipped with scrubbers—devices that remove harmful emissions from exhaust gases before they are released into the atmosphere.
Advanced Wastewater Treatment
Modern cruise ships are being built with advanced wastewater treatment systems that significantly reduce the environmental impact of discharged water. These systems treat sewage and grey water to a higher standard, ensuring that the water released is cleaner and less harmful to marine environments.
Case study: MSC Cruises and the MSC Foundation have partnered with Nature Metrics to gather biodiversity data from marine species by using innovative e-DNA technology to analyse the genetic material from sea water samples. The data collected and analysed has been made available to third parties including the ‘eBioAtlas’ programme, a joint IUCN and Nature Metrics initiative to support global conservation. Four MSC Cruises’ vessels are collected seawater samples over 11 cruises and 114 sampling days during 2023. The data has been made freely available to third parties, fostering conservation and restoration efforts throughout the North Atlantic.
Reduction of Single-Use Plastics
To tackle the issue of plastic waste, many cruise lines have pledged to eliminate single-use plastics on board. This includes replacing plastic straws, bottles, and packaging with biodegradable or reusable alternatives.
Case study: As of 2022, Carnival Corporation, with nine brands, had eliminated more than 500 million single-use items and is focused on eliminating and reducing additional items – both by working with supply chain partners to purchase products in bulk and replacing items with sustainable products, such as paper, wood and bamboo. The impact is significant. Among items eliminated by the end of 2022 were 50 million individual sauce packets that, if lined up end-to-end, would stretch the distance between New York and Los Angeles.
Food Waste Management
While it is widely known that food and beverage are vital components of the cruise experience, food sourcing and food management are equally important and are integral components of sustainability and a major focus for the cruise industry.
Case study: Across its business, Royal Caribbean Group is using cutting-edge technologies to help create best-in-class experiences responsibly. They leverage artificial intelligence to adjust food production in real time. Their food production management system uses data points like guest demographics, itinerary and weather to estimate how much food should be produced, prepared, thawed and ordered on a given day. This allows them to make better decisions about both how much food to order and prepare.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Newer cruise ships are being designed with energy efficiency in mind, incorporating features like LED lighting, energy-saving HVAC systems, and hull designs that reduce fuel consumption. Some ships are also experimenting with renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to supplement their power needs.
Case study: Working with renewable energy company Endesa X, the Port of Cadiz is among the first ports in Spain where cruise ships are able to connect to an onshore power supply. According to Spain’s Puertos del Estado, replacing onboard electricity generation with a ship’s own connection to 100% renewable onshore electrification is expected to reduce NOx emissions by 96%, SOx by 8%, particulates by 94% and CO2 by 64% from ships.
Environmental Certifications and Partnerships
The cruise industry is increasingly engaging with environmental organizations and adhering to certifications like ISO 14001, which sets out criteria for environmental management systems. Partnerships with groups like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are helping cruise lines develop and implement sustainable practices.
The Future of Sustainable Cruising
Over the past two decades the cruise industry has made significant progress in reducing emissions as it pursues its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, consistent with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships.
In conclusion, while cruise ships do have a significant environmental impact, the industry is taking steps to address these issues. As technology advances and awareness grows, we can hope for a future where cruising and sustainability go hand in hand. If sustainability matters to you when choosing a cruise, let me help you find the right one.
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