Why Are Cruise Ships Bad For The Environment

Cruise ships large tankers and bulk cargo carriers use a huge amount of ballast water which is often taken on in the coastal waters in one region after ships discharge wastewater or unload cargo and discharged at the next port of call wherever more cargo is loaded.

Why are cruise ships bad for the environment. Sewage and rubbish being dumped air and water being polluted invasive species being introduced by pumping ballast water. Tourists sleep and eat on cruise ships which means very little is spent in the local economy and this is a problem across the world. Thats because a large cruise carries thousands of passengers each of whom produces a personal waste stream.

Cruise ships have been accused of being as polluting as a million cars. How this sewage is handled by cruise operators is a major cause for concern when dealing with cruise ship environmental impact. Cruise ships are bad for the air and the ocean.

In fact every persons carbon footprint on a cruise is about three times as high as it would be on land. When it comes to the environment cruising has a bad reputation. On top of the pollution caused by their exhaust fumes cruise ships have been caught discarding trash fuel and sewage directly into the ocean.

Cruise ships are also responsible for significant air pollution from the dirty fuel they burn which can lead to serious human health problems especially in port communities. Even while at dock cruise ships often run dirty diesel engines to provide electrical power to passengers and crew. The impact of cruise ships on the environment is an important issue that needs to be addressed in order to mitigate damage to the surrounding ecosystem.

A 20 million fine levied on Carnival Cruises for improper waste disposal demonstrates that the industry is not above bending environmental rules. Your carbon footprint is high. It should be noted that larger cruise ships have capacities of up to 8000 passengers.

On an average cruise ship of 3000 passengers thats around 150000 gallons of sewage created per week. Cruise lines some of which have ships rivaling the size of small cities are responding to this increased growth of tourism and many are committed to becoming more environmentally friendly. When you hop onto a cruise your carbon footprint rises.