positive environmental impacts of cruise tourism

Open Access is an initiative that aims to make scientific research freely available to all. To date our community has made over 100 million downloads. It’s based on principles of collaboration, unobstructed discovery, and, most importantly, scientific progression. As PhD students, we found it difficult to access the research we needed, so we decided to create a new Open Access publisher that levels the playing field for scientists across the world. How? By making research easy to access, and puts the academic needs of the researchers before the business interests of publishers.

We are a community of more than 103,000 authors and editors from 3,291 institutions spanning 160 countries, including Nobel Prize winners and some of the world’s most-cited researchers. Publishing on IntechOpen allows authors to earn citations and find new collaborators, meaning more people see your work not only from your own field of study, but from other related fields too.

Brief introduction to this section that descibes Open Access especially from an IntechOpen perspective

Want to get in touch? Contact our London head office or media team here

Our team is growing all the time, so we’re always on the lookout for smart people who want to help us reshape the world of scientific publishing.

Home > Books > Tourism

Tourism Impact on Environmental Sustainability: A Focus on the Cruise Industry

Submitted: 29 June 2020 Reviewed: 07 September 2020 Published: 06 October 2021

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.93922

Cite this chapter

There are two ways to cite this chapter:

From the Edited Volume

Edited by Syed Abdul Rehman Khan

To purchase hard copies of this book, please contact the representative in India: CBS Publishers & Distributors Pvt. Ltd. www.cbspd.com | [email protected]

Chapter metrics overview

678 Chapter Downloads

Impact of this chapter

Total Chapter Downloads on intechopen.com

Total Chapter Views on intechopen.com

The growth of the Global Economy and in particular the Caribbean Islands has been for the last two decades fueled by the cruise shipping industry. However, the growth in this industry gives rise to the expansion in ship size and the number of destinations. Unfortunately, the cruise line industry is responsible for the largest volume of waste, pollutants and destruction to marine lives when compared to other maritime industry sector. This chapter seeks to highlight the correlation between the industry and the growing global need for vibrant economies, a high quality of life, while protecting the environment and sustaining the world’s natural resources. A review of several literature has shown that within the last twenty years, the cruise lines have invested a lot of time and money correcting the negative environmental impacts created. Several proactive and green shipping initiatives designed to improve environmental management were successfully implemented by the industry. These diverse initiatives are group as follows: Research and Innovation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Marketing, Awareness raising/environmental education initiative, and Green technologies. Emanating from these initiatives are: reduce or obviate of harmful environmental emissions and environmental management improvements and ultimately an environment that is experiencing an increased level of sustainability and economic activities.

• green technologies
• global economy
• environmental management
• dynamic positioning

Author Information

Kirkland robert anderson *.

• Economics, Management and Finance, Caribbean Maritime University, Kingston Jamaica, West Indies

*Address all correspondence to: [email protected]

1. Introduction

1.1 overview of the cruise industry.

The Cruise Shipping Industry has evolved tremendously over the years. It experienced changes - from the era of transoceanic transportation and tropical vacations for the wealthy, privileged elites of society only, to the multimillion tourism and leisure industry today, offering affordable vacation options and comfort to match the average citizen. With the increasing growth of the cruise industry comes the expansion in ship sizes and the variety of destinations to meet the demand of customers. As such, the grandeur of the destinations, and their natural beauty are critical to the increasing demand. The cruise industry is definitely linked to environmental performance and compliance. However, studies show that the cruise line industry generates significantly more volume of waste and pollutants than any other maritime industry sector. The industry carries thousands of people around the world in just a single voyage and these people generate a lot of sewage, gray water, oily bilge water, solid and hazardous waste. Unfortunately, the waste is hazardous to the fragile marine environment. Even the least harmful substance can damage the flora and fauna in its surrounding [ 1 ].

With the high level of waste and pollution that is produced, comes the need to implement methods of sustaining the industry’s environment. The central notion of sustainability is that the goals of environmental preservation and the goals of business need not be disparate and conflicting. Throughout its history, the cruise industry has responded to vacation desires of its guests and embraced innovation to develop new destinations, new ship designs, new and diverse onboard amenities, facilities and services, plus wide-ranging shore side activities. Cruise lines have also offered their guests new cruise themes and voyage lengths to meet the changing vacation patterns of today’s travelers [ 2 ].

Shipping is indeed the most significant international transport substructure in the world. It fuels the Global Economy and helps in the development countries. The cruise industry has grown significantly over the last two decades . “In fact, between 2012 and 2017, it grew by 20.5 per cent with 2017 been a record breaking year of 25.8 million global ocean cruise passengers a 4.5 per cent increase over 2016, which had a record high of 24.7 million. This growth in cruise passengers results in both Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) member cruise lines added nearly 22,000 lower berths through six new ocean-going vessels in 2017.” Growth in the industry continues through exciting features, a more personalized guest experience, customizable onboard technologies, media initiatives including even television shows and movies to display what cruising offers [ 2 ].

2. Marine environment: international laws and conventions that governs its protection

International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the world most influential organization on the prevention and control of marine pollution. IMO is guided by international conventions, protocols, guidelines and recommendations such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and its annexes. Although, the International Maritime Organization does not have a set of regulations for cruise vessels, it provides requirements for ships, which have also become applicable to cruise vessels [ 3 ].

Annex I prevention of pollution by oil & oily water

Annex II control of pollution by noxious liquid substances in bulk

Annex III prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form

Annex IV pollution by sewage from ships

Annex V pollution by garbage from ships

Annex VI Prevention of air pollution from ships.

Sewages is defined by MARPOL 73/78 “as any drainage and other wastes from any form of toilets and urinals, drainage from medical premises (dispensary, sick bay, etc.) via wash basins, wash tubs and scuppers located in such premises” [ 4 ]. Sewage is known to contain harmful viruses, bacteria and pathogens, all of which are harmful to the well-being of human beings. Sewage is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which helps algal to grow much faster. The growth in algal reduces oxygen in the water and cause eutrophication which kills fishes and destroys the aquatic life at sea. In most cases of enclosed or semi-enclosed seas where the water exchange rate is slow and the discharge amount of sewage is high, the eutrophication is faster and harmful to the marine life [ 4 ].

MARPOL Annex IV regulates the discharge of sewage. Except in situations where the ship is at a minimum distance from the nearest land, or has in operation an approved sewage treatment. Furthermore, the discharge rule does not apply when ships are under the jurisdiction of a state which has less stringent discharge requirements [ 3 ]. MARPOL 73/78 has prohibited the disposal of Annex V (pollution by garbage from ships) within the Caribbean waters due to the fact that it consists of a sensitive ecosystem and heavy maritime traffic.

The cruise lines also emit ‘Gray Water’. This includes “drainage from shower, dishwasher, washbasin drains, bath and laundry. However, drainage from toilets, and urinals are excluded. Gray Water contains a mixed composition of different components such as; detergents, oil and grease, metals, organics, petroleum hydrocarbons, food waste, nutrients, fecal coliform bacteria and medical, dental waste. Gray Water represents ninety per cent (90%) of the total liquid waste generated by cruise ships [ 5 ]. Because of its high level of faucal coliform bacteria, and the oxygen-demanding materials, Gray water is dangerous for human and marine life [ 5 ].

MARPOL Annex V regulates the discharge of gray water and provides separate provisions for ‘Special Areas’. Solid waste disposal by cruise vessels has also been an issue, one that needs to be properly censored. Daily operations of the cruise ship generate solid waste in the form of packaging materials, food waste, transportation and storage products. Some solid waste can be recycled while others are non-recyclable. This can be very dangerous to marine life if they become marine debris. It will result in an alteration to the composition of the ecosystems, interference to gas exchange between overlying waters and benthos, degradation of quality at surface waters and beaches, physical injuries to humans and the ingestion of particles by marine animals [ 6 ].

MARPOL implements regulations for garbage disposals in order to mitigate gray water pollution and to achieve sustainability. One such regulation stipulates that ships of less than 400 gross tonnages should make entry of procedures in either the Garbage Record Book, or in the ship’s official log-book [ 5 ].

Finally, Annex III of the MARPOL convention elaborates on the Prevention of Pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form. This Annex makes provisions for the issuing of detailed standards on packing, marking, labelling, documentation, stowage, quantity limitations, exceptions and notifications. Annex 111, defines harmful substances “as those which are identified as marine pollutants in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), or which meet the criteria in the Appendix of Annex III.” Hazardous substances are said to be corrosive and toxic. These are produced from activities such as dry cleaning, equipment cleaning and photo processing. Other hazardous waste can result from paint waste, crushing of aerosol can, incinerator ash, batteries, pharmaceuticals and used fluorescent and mercury vapor light bulbs [ 7 ].

It is through the executions of these conventions that all vessels, including cruise ships will perform their daily operations keeping in mind that the marine environment is of utmost importance. Adhering to the rules and requirements of these conventions, environmental sustainability can be achieved and maintained [ 7 ].

2.1 Theoretical framework on sustainability

The International Maritime Organization, outlines sustainable development as a form of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It further states that, “it contains two key concepts: the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs.”

Theories of sustainability attempted to prioritize and integrate social responses to cultural and environmental problems. There are different theories of sustainability, each prioritizing its own component of what must be sustained. The ecological model of the sustainability framework is essential to this literature, henceforth, this model alludes to biological diversity and ecological integrity [ 3 ].

Sustainability covers largely the environmental dimension of the triple bottom line (social, environmental and economics). On the one hand, some forms of environmental degradation are both relatively easily reversed and highly noxious in the present (many forms of air and water pollution) (Baker, 2016) [ 8 ]. It is a process that helps create a vibrant economy and a high quality of life, while respecting the need to sustain natural resources and protect the environment. It is based on the principle that future generations should live in a world that the present generation has enjoyed, but not diminished [ 9 ]. Ecological models propose means to sustain biological diversity and ecological integrity. Rather than focusing on opportunity or capital as the key unit of sustainability, they focus directly on the health of the world. There are two major ways of deciding which ecological goods to sustain. From an anthropocentric point of view essential natural resources should be sustained, as should those ecological systems and regenerative processes on which human systems rely. From an eccentric point of view, species should be sustained for their intrinsic value, as should ecological systems as generators of creatures with intrinsic value [ 10 ].

2.2 The importance of the cruise industry to the local economy

Since the last two decades, the Caribbean Region has been one of the most favored cruise destination. It accounts for more than a thirty- five per cent (35.4%) of the global deployment capacity market share. The region’s yields and ticket pricing continue to increase respectively, aided by a strong United States economy and consumer sentiment.

spending by cruise passengers and crew;

the shore side staffing by the cruise lines for their headquarters, marketing and tour operations

expenditures by the cruise lines for goods and services necessary for cruise operations;

spending by the cruise lines for port services;

expenditures by cruise lines for maintenance.

“During the 2011/2012 period cruise ship calls brought 15.44 million passenger visits and 2.7 million crew to the thirty -five participating destinations, which generated revenue of US $1.48 billion and US$261.9 million in spending respectively. In addition, cruise-related expenditures generated directly 45, 225 jobs throughout the studied destinations. Cruise generated jobs paid US$728.1 million in wage income to the residents. There is also increased job opportunities in areas indirectly related to tourism, due to the provision of new facilities. Local shops are replaced by new ones. the interactions between residents and cruise passengers results in the exchange of culture, it offers the residents the possibility of learning about the world, and explore new life perspectives ” [ 12 ].

Records demonstrated a substantial increase in all the above data during the 2014/2015 financial period. “ Cruise ship calls brought 23.63 million passenger visits and 4.5 million crew to the thirty -five participating destinations, which generated revenue of US $3.16 billion and US$302.2 million in spending respectively. Cruise-related expenditures generated directly 75, 050 jobs throughout the studied destinations. Cruise generated jobs paid US$976.5 million in wage income to the residents” [ 13 ].

In addition, tourism of which the cruise shipping industry is a large part has been found to be a significant driver in the creation of positive environmental externalities such as environmental care and the protection of nature [ 14 ].

2.3 Negative impacts of the cruise industry on the local environment

The previous section highlights the economic merits of the cruise lines to regional and global economies. However, it is worth reiterating that literature documents that the industry is most damaging to the marine environment. Impacts on the environment ranges from the construction of the port infrastructure to its operation [ 15 ]. Activities having the greatest impact on the marine environment include: discharge of ballast water; dredging and the disposal of dredged waste (spoil); physical damage to marine habitats by ships’ hulls (e.g. grounding); use of antifouling paints; noise emissions; disposal of waste materials and sewage; oil spills from routine activities or accidental incidents [ 16 ].

In order to facilitate the Royal Caribbean’s new mega-ships at the Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier, Jamaica, some thirty-five million (35,000,000) cubic feet of coral reef, and two square miles of mangroves was buried under the now pulverized reef material. Additionally, in order to accommodate the mega ships, the developers had to create a twenty chain-wide opening in an offshore barrier reef. Both living and dead coral were dredged, along with the rock substrate, after which the materials were taken inland by trucks to a two-square-mile dump site; situated on the outskirts of town that was once a thriving red mangrove swamp, to the demise of marine life [ 17 ].

Dredging is a port operations activity carried out so as to construct or maintain harbors, docks and channels. Dredged materials, or spoils, are either uncontaminated, if materials are dredged in areas remote from pollution sources, or contaminated if material is dredged from urbanized or industrial harbor in which there are heavy metals and a variety of organic compounds. The dredged materials are disposed of in one of three ways: on land; at or near the dredged site; or at sea. Therefore, there is no doubt that the impacts of dredging can affect the environments of both the port and ocean. The potential impacts of dredging include: “smothering seabed organisms; clogging fish and invertebrates’ gills; reducing the light available to plants; releasing nutrients and toxic trace metals from contaminated sediments; bio accumulating toxins from contaminated material in organisms and possibly the food chain; depleting dissolved oxygen in the water column; and reducing water quality” [ 18 ].

Interestingly, it is said that even the enduring boom of the industry has a negative impact on the environment of the cruises themselves. The more people that go on a cruise, the more ships will be sailing on the seven seas, thus generating even more waste, and causing more damage. The cruise ships carry large numbers of humans, and this generates significant piles of waste for which there is not much space. The regulation of waste disposal at sea is limited, partly because the cruise industry is not subject to the same environmental standards as land based industries and because it is hard to control or enforce [ 19 ].

The average cruise ship produces the following immense amount of pollution every day : “25,000 gallons of sewage from toilets; 143,000 gallons of sewage from sinks, galleys and showers; 7 tons of garbage and solid waste; 15 gallons of toxic chemicals; and 7,000 gallons of oily bilge water. These wastes, if not properly treated and disposed of, can be a significant source of pathogens, nutrients, and toxic substances with the potential to threaten human health and damage aquatic life. One simple example of the pervasive nature of this pollution is that a plastic bottle thrown overboard may take up to 400 years to break down, and during that time such pollution can move great distances and cause negative impact to marine life” [ 20 , 21 ].

Ballast water is critical to the safe and efficient operation of shipping, it provides balance and stability for the ships. The disposal of this water, pose a risk to the marine ecosystems as it results in the introduction of new marine species in other parts of the world. For example, in the 1980s, the disposal of ballast water in the Black Sea resulted in the introduction of new species such as zooplankton and fish-egg feeding comb jellyfish. Since then there has been dramatic changes in the pelagic system of the Black Sea, which impacted in a significant way the food chain, resulting in the collapse of commercial anchovy fisheries. The introduction of exotic marine species to the local marine environment, and the translocations of existing marine pests to new locations are major hazards associated with the discharge of contaminated ballast water. The establishment of exotic species can result in the alteration of an entire ecosystems and habitat and the extinction of indigenous species by predation or competition [ 22 ].

Cruise ships are insulated on the inside for noise and vibration. Unfortunately, there is no insulation on the outside, thus disrupting the communication and sonar of sea mammals. Research shows that the noise produced by ships can travel long distances, and marine species who may rely on sound for their orientation, communication, and feeding can be harmed by what is called sound pollution. Furthermore, wildlife collisions marine mammals, such as whales and manatees, risk being struck by ships, causing injury and death. “ For example, if a ship is travelling at a speed of only 15 knots, there is a 79 per cent chance of a collision being lethal to a whale ” [ 16 ].

A ship generally has a damaging impact on the oceans and its sea life. Ninety (90) countries worldwide have reported severe damage to their coral reefs due to anchorage, and sewage disposal. “ An anchor drop for just one day can destroy as much as 3100 square meters of coral reef. No doubt, it is extremely, necessary to maintain comfort and profit, while simultaneously decrease harm to coral reef. The cruise line has also impacted the air quality of the environment due to the fact that shipping has traditionally relied on heavy diesel fuels which result in the emission of significant quantities of pollutants. A large percentage of ocean liners run on giant diesel engines; this equipment, along with smaller auxiliary engines, can emit dangerous levels of Sulfur dioxide.” By curbing these emissions millions of premature, air pollution-related deaths could be prevented by 2020. This means that all players must take appropriate steps to minimize the emission of greenhouse gases and adapt to the potential impacts of climate change [ 23 ]. The world two larges ships ( Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas) , have been touted by the Royal Caribbean International as environmentally friendly ships, yet they burn bunker fuel, which is the dirtiest and most dangerous fuel in the world. This is essentially a tar-like refinery by-product in which the non-combustible particles blacken the sky and pose a major health hazard to everyone within a hundred-mile radius [ 20 ]. In order to prevent the discharge of wastewater into the sea, governments or its agencies must enforce the guidelines for the discharging of waste by ships stopping at its ports as was outlined at the Ballast Water Management convention, adopted in 2004. A number of guidelines have been developed to facilitate the implementation of the Convention.

The Convention will require all ships to implement a Ballast Water and Sediments Management Plan. All ships will have to carry a Ballast Water Record Book and will be required to carry out ballast water management procedures to a given standard. Existing ships will be required to do the same, but after a phase-in period [ 3 ]. Additionally sustainable environment can be further enhanced if the appropriate government agencies enforce green practices in all operations relating to transport such as minimize consumption of non-renewable resources to the sustainable yield level, reuses and recycles its components [ 24 ].

2.4 Sustainable practices employed by the industry and its major cruise lines

Sustainability in the cruise industry is a result of making optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity. The Sea Trade Insider made it absolutely clear that sustainable transport is recognized as one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. Whilst shipping is relatively safe and clean, compared with other transport modes, the industry does have a significant impact on the environment. Within the last few decades several proactive efforts to encourage environmental management improvements within the shipping industry were successfully implemented (Sea Trade Insider, 2010) [ 25 ]. These have been referred to as sustainable or green shipping initiatives, which are diverse, but can be grouped as follows:

Research and Innovation - these are initiatives which aim to reduce or eliminate harmful environmental emissions. It includes investments into research aim to develop new technological design for safer and more sustainable ships. R and I initiatives are divided into high and low investment for specific solutions, that could be applied to many ships in order to reduce their negative environmental impact.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Marketing – this area helps companies to integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.

Awareness raising/environmental education initiative- this aims at encouraging environmental management improvements across the sector. Nonetheless, Green cruising might seem like an oxymoron for an industry that some say pays little attention to the natural resources that fuel its success, but it is indeed the path to achieve sustainability [ 25 ].

Green technologies such as solar panels, exhaust scrubber systems that help minimize emissions, advances in hull design that let ships cut through the water more efficiently, cooking oil conversion systems and energy efficient appliances are being incorporated into newly built ships and are also retrofitted into older ones. It is further explained that some cruise lines also collaborate with nonprofit organizations and government agencies to collect data about the ocean’s health and climate changes. Cruise lines continue to make important strides to improve their environmental policies. Some lines do so more extensively than others. Whereas, recycling, incinerating and waste-processing were cutting edge on cruise ships just over a decade ago, such processes today are basic and expected. The Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, for example, are some of the most popular lines that make attempts in achieving sustainability [ 25 ].

The carnival cruise line has made steps in achieving sustainability, by offloads a multitude of materials (plastic, glass, aluminum, scrap metal, cooking oil, petroleum oil, toner cartridges, electronics, refrigerants and photo processing liquids) from its ships for disposal on land. Ships process and incinerate solid waste onboard whenever possible or send it to an approved shore side facility for treatment, recycling or disposal. Even oily bilge water is subjected to its own three-step engineering process. Furniture, linens, small appliances, kitchenware and clothing are some of the two dozen items donated to charities instead of sent to landfills [ 24 ]. There has also been a shift in the cruise line usage of eco-friendly detergents for its linens and dry cleaning, and developing a new, energy-efficient and non-polluting engine for its newer ships. The larger Carnival Corporation (which incorporates Carnival Cruise Line along with brands like Holland America and Princess) has installed exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) technology on 60 ships in its fleet as early as 2017; more than 85 vessels will be outfitted with EGCS by 2020. This exhaust gas cleaning technology utilizes a proprietary technology to remove the oxide of sulfur that come from combustion of fuels that have sulfur, is a win for the environment and a win for the company and the environment [ 25 ].

Carnival Cruise lines established a Health, Environment, Safety, Security & Sustainability Policy & Governance (HESSS). This policy drives the cruise lines commitment to environmental protection. Like other critical business matters in the cruise industry, assigning this policy and governance is of top priority to the cruise lines. Fuel is the primary source of energy consumed for ship propulsion and generation of on-board hotel power. “ As such Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Miracle use shore-power technologies while in port in Long Beach, California. By connecting to the Port’s electrical grid, air emissions are managed and regulated under the emission control requirements at the power plant supplying it. Unfortunately to date only five ports worldwide are currently utilizing this practice and there are an additional three ports with shore power projects under construction ” [ 26 ].

In additional to onboard policies employed by the cruise line, crew members also undertake various sustainability initiatives. Carnival Cruise Line employees regularly attend training sessions relating to waste management while on board. In collaboration with the International Sea Keepers Society, Carnival Cruise has installed scientific devices on four of its ships mainly; Legend, Miracle, Spirit and Triumph). The aim of these devices is to monitor ocean water quality and other climatic information. The data generated by this practice are shared via satellite with Environmental groups, various governmental agencies and universities worldwide. The data provided by the cruise line are analyze by the various recipients in order to determine; ocean pollution, climate change and weather patterns. Carnival Vista is the cruise line’s first ship to receive the ECO Notation designation from the maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register, which recognizes that the Vista exceeds current maritime environmental regulations. Sustainability efforts have also been extended to the passengers. The cruise line participates in beach cleanups and other community programs through its affiliation with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association [ 25 ]. Specially marked containers are placed strategically throughout each ship in the fleet in order to encourage recycling by cruisers. These designated bins are located in areas such as; steward stations, galley, crew areas, room service, pantries and bar pantries in order to collect items of food, glass, aluminum and plastic products [ 26 , 27 ].

“Disney Cruise Lines processed more than 1,900 tons of metal, glass, plastic and paper for recycling or reuse since 2014. All of the recyclables are separated and made ready for unloading in the ships garbage room. The Cruise Line used cooking oil from the galley which has been collected in special containers each week; and whenever the ship arrives in ports, the oil is taken to the backstage area and mixed, then used as fuel for small vehicles in the respective islands.” One hundred per cent of used cooking oil is offloaded and recycled each week, some of which is used to create biodiesel fuel for a fleet of vehicles in the Bahamas [ 25 ]. Other initiatives focus on energy, water-saving efforts and fuel efficiency [ 15 ]. Excess heat from power generators is rerouted to power evaporators that help turn seawater into drinkable water. Even the condensation from air-conditioning units is reclaimed and reused to wash the decks, saving more than thirty million gallons of freshwater each year. On Castaway Cay, which is a private Bahamian island owned by Disney, solar panels are used to heat water for their crew members residing there. The ships are also equipped to plug into shore power, whenever it’s available in port [ 25 ]. Results depict that the utilization of renewable energy in logistics operations will reduce emissions, improve; the health of citizens, environment and economic growth [ 28 ].

All four ships used the service of onboard environmental officers who oversee shipboard recycling and waste minimization efforts. The officers also supervise shipboard environmental safety programs for crew. Furthermore, Disney encourages cruisers to help conserve water and energy by reusing bath towels, and to recycle with marked bins provided in staterooms and on deck. The line also shows a “Behind the Waves” video series that educates passengers on the line’s various environmental practices and ways in which they can assist in helping those efforts during their voyage [ 24 ]. Passengers and crew members are asked to support the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, which provides support for the study of wildlife, protection of habitats, development of community conservation and education programs in critical global ecosystems. Additionally, the fund provides special grants to connect children with nature. The fund has raised an amount exceeding US$45 million, which was used to support more than 330 nonprofit organizations in 115 countries worldwide [ 26 , 27 ].

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has improved substantially its environmental performance. “They qualified for both ISO14001 and ISO9001 certification, which established an environmental management plan. Ships also have environmental managers aboard and environmental training for all staff, requiring them to be able to explain the environmental policies to all guests” [ 26 ]. The cruise line is currently using Dynamic Positioning on two of its vessels ( Oasis of the Sea, and Allure of the Sea ), which is a new alternative for anchors. Oasis of the Seas, which can accommodate 5400 passengers is powered by liquefied natural gas fueled engines. These engines are equipped with pollution scrubbers that completely eliminate all Sulfur emissions, cut nitrogen oxide emissions and CO2 by more than 20%. It is one of the first cruise ship to have a large tropical park filled with thousands of plants and natural features [ 27 ].

The Royal Caribbean Cruises family, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara participate in an above and beyond compliance policy, geared toward optimized environmental practices. This includes the Save the Waves Program, which, at its core, employs an advanced wastewater purification system that treats wastewater onboard to levels that regularly exceed international standards. The company recently introduced a line of designated sustainable shore excursions, in partnership with Sustainable Travel International, which highlight outings that emphasize destination stewardship and sustainable tourism [ 24 , 25 ]. Over the past five years, the major cruise lines have spent an average of US$2 million dollars per ship in order to upgrade vessels with better systems for dealing with waste management and emissions. Decades ago, the cruise industry paid very little attention to the environment. Today cruise lines have made a 180 degree turn. They are now spending large amounts of time and money cleaning up their act, and in essence are helping to bring sustainable practices to a wider group of players in the travel industry [ 27 , 29 ].

3. Conclusion

The International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships (IMO)

The Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea treaty (UNCLOS)

The international treaty for the prevention of pollution from ships, 1973, as modified in 1978 (MARPOL 73/78)

In the final analysis, this chapter gives a clearer understanding as to how the cruise shipping industry impact environmental sustainability. However, this chapter is limited to the fact that a larger per cent of the information garnered is over five years old. It is therefore, the desire of the researcher to pursue future studies in the area by the analysis of primary data. The outcomes of such study will assist policy/decision makers both public and private to establish and implement plans that will environmental sustainability a concern of the past.

Acknowledgments

I would like to say thanks to God Almighty for His physical and Spiritual strength. Thanks to my wife Juliet and daughter Kristen for their continuous support and to my final year students who assisted me with information.

• 1. Wind Rose Network. The cruise industry. Accessed 2017, http://www.windrosenetwork.com/The-Cruise-Industry
• 2. Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Cruise Industry Overview. Accessed 2013, http://www.f-cca.com/downloads/2013-cruise-industry-overview.pdf
• 3. International Maritime Organization. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). Accessed 2017, http://www.imo.org/en/about/conventions/listofconventions/pages/internationa-convention-for the-prevention-of-pollution-from-ships-(marpol).aspx
• 4. Kairis, S. Ships’ Garbage Management under Revised MARPOL Annex V.Officer of the Watch, 2017, https://officerofthewatch.com/2012/11/07/ships-garbagemanagement-under-revised-marpol-annex-v/
• 5. Karim, M. Prevention of Pollution of the Marine Environment from vessels: The Potential and Limits of the International Maritime Organisation . Ebook. Springe International Publishing, (20 15)
• 6. Dayioglu, S. (2010). Marine environment regulations on cruise ships: a special focus on the influence of EU candidacy of Turkey. Accessed 2010, http://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=1698583&filOId=1698586
• 7. Taryela, J. International Maritime Organization. Slideshare.net . Accessed 2016, https://www.slideshare.net/jaytaryela/imo-its-org
• 8. Baker, S. Sustainable development. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, (2016)
• 9. Hollweck, M. What is sustainability? Slideshare.net . Accessed 2017, https://www.slideshare.net/mariahollweck/what-is-sustainabilty?qid=e3baec5a-4c34-44cb-8135d77498efa4ba&v=&b=&from_search=1
• 10. Jenkins, W. Global ethics, Christian theology, and sustainability. Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology, 12, (2008). 197-217
• 11. Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Cruise Industry Overview. Accessed 2013, http://www.f-cca.com/downloads/2018-cruise-industry-overview.pdf
• 12. Aguirre, S., & Brida, J. The impacts of the cruise industry on tourism destinations. Accessed 2008, https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3c1e/6bbd22d8456b609954658b26e6d70fcdb6 f.pdf
• 13. Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Cruise Industry Overview. Accessed 2018, http://www.f-cca.com/downloads/2018-cruise-industry-overview.pdf
• 14. Arshian, Sharif. “Revisiting the role of tourism and globalization in environmental degradation in China: Fresh insights from the quantile ARDL approach.” Journal of Cleaner Production 272, (2020, November 1): 1-28. Accessed 2020, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652620329516
• 15. Ferretti, K. Cruise presentation. Slideshare.net . Accessed 2016, https://www.slideshare.net/CarlaNicoleFerretti/cruise-presentation?qid=6216c349-d3bb-468da094-d6917874f363&v=&b=&from_search=3
• 16. Roberts, J. Marine environment protection and biodiversity conservatio n. Berlin: Springer, (2007)
• 17. Behar, M. Can the cruise industry clean up its act? On Earth, (34), 1-2. Accessed 2012, http://archive.onearth.org/article/dreamboat?page=1
• 18. Obrien, J. The Impact of Shipping. Accessed 2001, https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/8453a2da-8717-40f88ce7636ae3ec64cf/files/impacts-shipping.pdf
• 19. Walker, J. Royal Caribbean's new port in Falmouth, Jamaica - At what cost to the environment? Jim Walker Cruise Law News. Accessed 2012, http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2012/07/articles/pollution-1/royal-caribbeans-new-port-in-falmouth-jamaica-at-what-cost-to-the-environment/
• 20. Desai, K. (2011, November 30). Sea can be protected from ship garbage. The Observer. Accessed November 30, 2011, http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/Sea-can-be-protected-from-ship garbage_10283291
• 21. Elks, J. Disney Scores the Only ‘A’ on Cruise Industry Environmental Report Card |Sustainable Brands. Sustainablebrands.com . Accessed 2013, http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/communications/jenniferelks/disney scores-only-cruise-industry-environmental-report -
• 22. Bullock, J., & Manchester, S. (2000). The impacts of non-native species on UK biodiversity and the effectiveness of control. Journal of Applied Ecology , 37(5), (2000), 845-864. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.2000.00538.x
• 23. Moodie, A. How environmentally friendly is your cruise holiday? The Guardian . Accessed April 21, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable business/2016/jun/12/cruise-ships-environment-ocean-liners-emissions-waste
• 24. Syed Abdul Rehman Klan et al. “Is tourism really affected by logistical operations and environmental degradation? An empirical study from the perspective of Thailand.” Journal of Cleaner Production 227, (2019, August 1): 158-166. Accessed 2019, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652619312442
• 25. Seatrade Insider. CLIA issues environmental. Seatrader Insider News . Accessed 2010, http://www.cruisecommunity
• 26. Garay, E. & Paloti, M. Green Cruising - Cruise Critic. Cruisecritic.com . Accessed 2018, http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=528
• 27. Attamante, T. Eco sustainability: Coral Reef & Cruise Ships. Accessed 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGkAxrR8k14
• 28. Syed Abdul Rehman Klan et al. “Measuring the impact of renewable energy, public health expenditure, logistics, and environmental performance on sustainable economic growth.” Sustainable Development 28, (4) (2020, August/July): 833-843. Accessed 2020, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/sd.2034
• 29. Underwood, K. 7 Ocean-friendly eco cruises hitting the high seas. TreeHugger . Accessed 2009, https://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/7ocean-friendly-eco-cruises hitting-the-high-seas.html

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Continue reading from the same book

Published: 06 October 2021

By Phillip Farayi Kanokanga, Marian Tukuta and Oliver...

883 downloads

By Forbes Kabote

1091 downloads

By Panagiotis Tsikouras, Xanthoula Anthoulaki, Theodo...

1038 downloads

Fraught with environmental baggage, the cruise industry is trying to go green, but is it enough?

The cruise industry has come under fire for its environmental footprint from environmental organizations, and the U.S. Department of Justice has taken up cases against specific lines for environmental violations . 

Meanwhile, the cruise industry insists it is making great strides in reducing its environmental impact by implementing new technologies and following or exceeding international guidelines.

One environmental organization, Friends of the Earth (FOE), even released a 2019 "report card" in June, grading each cruise line and its ships. Most received D's and F's. Cruise lines rejected the grades, questioning FOE's methodology.

FOE asserts taking a cruise can be more harmful to the environment and human health than other forms of travel.

So how will cruises go green? 

Brian Salerno, senior vice president of maritime policy at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), said the industry as a whole has taken steps toward going green both on its own accord and in accordance with the International Maritime Organization's set  MARPOL  rules, which have been updated over many decades. IMO is an agency of the United Nations.

"This is certainly something that has been a focus of the cruise industry, really even the maritime industry overall," Salerno said.

CLIA, which is the largest trade organization in the cruise industry, has 270 member ships, according to Salerno, who estimated there are more than 300 cruise ships operating around the globe.

“CLIA cruise lines are pioneers in maritime environmental protection and committed to responsible tourism – with policies that often exceed those required by law," CLIA said in a statement. 

The initiatives include a commitment from CLIA members to reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 (in comparison to 2008). 

"These investments are already showing significant progress towards reducing the environmental impact of the cruise industry, with many more technologies and practices currently under development," the statement continued. 

John Kaltenstein, deputy director of oceans and vessels at FOE, said that while the industry is making some small strides, there's a long way to go.

"I think they’ve made strides ... with the use of what we call advanced wastewater treatment systems," Kaltenstein said. The systems have improved filtering and treating grey water. 

But for the majority of the industry, there's a long way to go, according to Kaltenstein.

The United States Department of Justice has brought lawsuits against several major cruise lines.

Currently the DOJ has an open case against Princess Cruises. The cruise line and parent Carnival Cruise Lines  pleaded guilty for probation violations in June , stemming from a 2017 felony conviction over dumping oil-contaminated waste from one of its ships and intentional acts to cover it up, according to the DOJ.

"The people doing things perfectly, we aren't going to see," Joe Poux, assistant chief in the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the DOJ told USA TODAY. 

The cruise lines that are coming to the DOJ's attention on the criminal enforcement side are in scope because something has "not gone well for them."

So with some progress and some missteps by cruise lines, it's a mixed bag in terms of how the industry as a whole is doing. 

The cruise industry says it's improving. But is it?

Salerno said that over the last decade, the cruise industry has focused on four areas to reduce cruising's environmental impact, including controlling emissions, sewage treatment, fuel efficiency and recycling. 

So are all these areas really evolving in terms of environmental impact? Yes and no, according to CLIA, the DOJ and FOE.

Controlling emissions

"In recent years there's been renewed emphasis placed on what is going into the air," Salerno said. 

That includes air pollutants such as sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide, which can cause respiratory problems. The industry is beginning to control emissions by using an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS). 

According to CLIA, those systems can reduce sulfur oxide levels by as much as 98% and can reduce nitrogen oxides up to 12%.

As of Jan. 1, the entire shipping world, which includes cruise ships, was required to reduce pollutants by using EGCS, using fuel with a lower sulfur level or using an alternative fuel source. 

But according to Kaltenstein, that isn't enough. 

The cruise industry is implementing ECGS to be compliant with regulations in the U.S. and on a global scale but instead of using more refined marine fuel, he says they're still using heavy fuel oil and just treating it, which isn't ideal. 

Some newer ships are being designed to operate on clean alternative fuels including liquefied natural gas (LNG), which has lower sulfur emissions, Salerno explained.

FOE doesn't see that as a silver bullet solution either. 

"Not going to see really any greenhouse gas benefits," said Kaltenstein. "A lot of the environmental community does not see LNG as an answer to the climate problem."

Sewage treatment

"While international law allows for discharge of untreated sewage beyond 12 miles [from the shore], CLIA’s Waste Management Policy prohibits the discharge of untreated sewage at sea anywhere around the world under normal operating conditions," Salerno said.

For those some 270 ships that are a part of the CLIA fleet, compliance with the policy is a condition for membership, he added.

Advanced wastewater treatment systems are installed on all new ships and many older ones, as well. They include advanced filtration and disinfecting technology that exceeds regulatory requirements put in place by the IMO.

"These advanced wastewater treatment systems rival the best systems on land," Salerno said. 

Kaltenstein said that in terms of waste, the industry has done better over the last several years. Putting in advanced wastewater treatment systems has been a good step forward.

Fuel efficiency 

Cruise lines have made their ships more fuel efficient by implementing a few different tactics, according to CLIA.

They have added air lubrication systems to many ship hulls, which reduce drag and fuel consumption. Those reductions lead to greater efficiency as do energy-efficient engines that consume less fuel. 

"Air lubrication systems are a good example of kinds of technology employed on many new ships to reduce fuel consumption," Salerno said. Not all ships have those systems in place yet though.

"When you consider most of them when they're built, you're looking at a 30-year life cycle," he explained. "It pays to put in the most efficient systems that you can. Doing that allows the ship to operate into the future without having to undergo major retrofits. The more efficient you can start out, the better off you are."

Shoreside, ships are also able to "plug in" at ports, which reduces emissions overall.

Like some hotels onshore , cruises have been doing what they can to reduce single-use plastics. 

"Many cruise lines have adopted policies against the use of single-use plastic," Salerno said. 

One of those lines is Norwegian Cruise Line . It announced last year that it would eliminate single-use plastics in 2020 by partnering with rapper, actor and activist Jaden Smith's JUST Goods Inc. to use paper cartons for water.

The cruise line previously got rid of single-use plastic straws in 2018 across its private islands and resort as well as its 16 ships.

And according to the Miami Herald , Royal Caribbean was looking to replace its more than 65 million plastic utensils with compostable options, along with other reusable options.

Carnival has also said it will take steps to reduce plastic use onboard by stopping balloon drops, using reusable straws and other steps.

Kaltenstein said he believes that the progress away from single-use plastics is a positive step forward for the industry.

"I think to not provision as much in terms of plastic is important; I'd like to see it all be done away with," he said.

One of the issues with plastics, Kaltenstein said, is that the systems for controlling plastic, to make sure it doesn't end up in the ocean, have been breaking down.

"The less you have, the lesser possibility of the materials going into the ocean, one would hope," he explained.

What needs to change?

From the outside looking in, Poux from the DOJ, said it's the corporate culture that needs to change.

Having a judge explain to corporate officers why what is happening on ships with waste is a problem is a "wake-up call" that can "bring in meaningful change," Poux said.

"These are systemic problems," Kaltenstein added. "The only way to address it is to change the corporate culture from the top, to set a mandate."

If a high importance is placed on environmental compliance and making sure that systems are being maintained and used properly to allow the ships to meet standards, then a change is more likely to occur, he added. 

MoreUshuaia, Argentina: Cruising to the 'end of the world' and Earth's southernmost city

Cruises: What is wave season? And are these early-season deals really worth it?

Contributing: Adrienne Jordan, David Oliver

Cruise Ships and Sustainability

• Living reference work entry
• First Online: 23 December 2021
• Cite this living reference work entry

• Daniela Buzova 2  

187 Accesses

1 Citations

The global popularity of cruise holidays grows in parallel with the size of the ships, and so does the magnitude of their impact on the environment, the social equity, and the local economy. The sustainability of cruise ships has increasingly been in the eye of the media and the society, thus putting pressure on the industry. Indeed, cruise line companies are demonstrating more effort in reducing their environmental footprint in the last decade. However, many of them are limited to meeting international regulations, which is a reactive rather than a proactive approach to ensuring the sustainability of the industry in the long run. The lack of commonly accepted and operationalized sustainability criteria for assessing the social and economic impacts of cruise ships has resulted in loosely defined actions in these aspects. The goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of the environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with cruise ships’ sustainability, discuss how they are tackled by the industry nowadays, and offer guidance on how to address them through the adoption of innovative sustainable business practices, backed with commitment, collaboration, and transparency.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

Abbasov F, Earl T, Jeanne N, Hemmings B, Gilliam L, Calvo Ambel C (2019) One corporation to pollute them all. Transport & Environment Report. https://www.transportenvironment.org/publications/one-corporation-pollute-them-all Accessed 28 July 2021

Andriotis K, Agiomirgianakis G (2010) Cruise visitors’ experience in a Mediterranean port of call. Int J Tour Res 12(4):390–404

Article   Google Scholar  

Baekkelund A (1999, December) Solving the people pollution problem. Seatrade Cruise Rev 61

Google Scholar  

Bennett M (2016) Competing with the sea: contemporary cruise ships as omnitopias. Perform Res 21(2):50–57

Bonilla-Prego J, Font X, Pacheco-Olivares M (2014) Corporate sustainability index and baseline data for the cruise industry. Tour Manag 44:149–160

Butt N (2007) The impact of cruise ship generated waste on home ports and ports of call: a study of Southampton. Mar Policy 31(5):591–598

Chang Y, Liu S, Park H, Roh Y (2016) Cruise traveler satisfaction at a port of call. Marit Policy Manag 43(4):483–494

Chen JM, Petrick JF, Papathanassis A, Li X (2019) A meta-analysis of the direct economic impacts of cruise tourism on port communities. Tour Manag Perspect 31:209–218

CLIA (2020a) 2019 Europe market report. https://cruisingorg/-/media/research-updates/research/2019-year-end/2019-europe-market-reportashx Accessed 27 July 2021

CLIA (2020b) Global Market Report. https://cruisingorg/-/media/research-updates/research/clia-one-resource-passenger-reports/clia-global-passenger-report%2D%2D2020ashx Accessed 27 July 2021

CLIA (2021) 2021 state of the cruise industry. https://cruisingorg/-/media/research-updates/research/2021-state-of-the-cruise-industry_optimizedashx Accessed 27 July 2021

Dawson J, Stewart EJ, Johnston ME, Lemieux CJ (2016) Identifying and evaluating adaptation strategies for cruise tourism in Arctic Canada. J Sustain Tour 24(10):1425–1441

de Almeida Ramoa CE, da Silva Flores LC, Herle FB (2019) Environmental sustainability: a strategic value in guiding cruise industry management. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights 3(2):229–251

Di Vaio A, Varriale L, Lekakou M, Stefanidaki E (2021) Cruise and container shipping companies: a comparative analysis of sustainable development goals through environmental sustainability disclosure. Marit Policy Manag 48(2):184–212

Domènech A, Gutiérrez A, Anton Clavé S (2020) Cruise passengers’ spatial behaviour and expenditure levels at destination. Tourism Planning & Development 17(1):17–36

Dwyer L, Douglas N, Livaic Z (2004) Estimating the economic contribution of a cruise ship visit. Tour Mar Environ 1(1):5–16

FCCA (2019, March 12) 2018 cruise industry overview. Retrieved from Florida- Caribbean Cruise Association: https://www.f-cca.com/downloads/2018-Cruise-Industry-Overview-and-Statistics.pdf

Frankel AS, Gabriele CM (2017) Predicting the acoustic exposure of humpback whales from cruise and tour vessel noise in Glacier Bay, Alaska, under different management strategies. Endanger Species Res 34:397–415

Gabe T, Lynch C, McConnon J Jr (2006) Likelihood of cruise ship passenger return to a visited port: the case of Bar Harbor, Maine. J Travel Res 44(3):281–287

Gibson P, Bentley M (2007) A study of impacts—cruise tourism and the South West of England. J Travel Tour Mark 20(3–4):63–77

Griffith Institute for Tourism (2017) Global sustainable tourism dashboard. Cruise Ship Emissions https://wwwtourismdashboardorg/explore-the-data/cruise-ship/ Accessed 28 July 2021

Gutberlet M (2016) Socio-cultural impacts of large-scale cruise tourism in Souq Mutrah, Sultanate of Oman. Fennia-International Journal of Geography 194(1):46–63

HPTI (2007) Study on ships producing reduced quantities of ships generated waste: present situation and future opportunities to encourage the development of cleaner ships, Lisbon: European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), Unit D – Implementation EU maritime legislation

Hung K, Wang S, Guillet BD, Liu Z (2019) An overview of cruise tourism research through comparison of cruise studies published in English and Chinese. Int J Hosp Manag 77:207–216

IMO (2020) IMO 2020 – cutting Sulphur oxide emissions. https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Sulphur-2020.aspx Accessed 28 July 2021

Jaakson R (2004) Beyond the tourist bubble?: cruiseship passengers in port. Ann Tour Res 31(1):44–60

James L, Olsen LS, Karlsdóttir A (2020) Sustainability and cruise tourism in the arctic: stakeholder perspectives from Ísafjörður, Iceland and Qaqortoq, Greenland. J Sustain Tour 28(9):1425–1441

Johnson D (2002) Environmentally sustainable cruise tourism: a reality check. Mar Policy 26(4):261–270

Jordan EJ, Vogt CA (2017) Residents’ perceptions of stress related to cruise tourism development. Tourism Planning & Development 14(4):527–547

Klein RA (2011) Responsible cruise tourism: issues of cruise tourism and sustainability. J Hosp Tour Manag 18(1):107–116

Larsen S, Wolff K (2016) Exploring assumptions about cruise tourists’ visits to ports. Tour Manag Perspect 17:44–49

Larsen S, Wolff K, Marnburg E, Øgaard T (2013) Belly full, purse closed: cruise line passengers’ expenditures. Tour Manag Perspect 6:142–148

Lopes M, Dredge D (2018) Cruise tourism shore excursions: value for destinations? Tourism Planning & Development 15(6):633–652. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2017.1366358

MacNeill T, Wozniak D (2018) The economic, social, and environmental impacts of cruise tourism. Tour Manag 66:387–404

MSC Cruises (2021) MSC Group’s Cruise Division and Fincantieri Partner for Construction of New State-of-the-Art Cruise Terminal at PortMiami. http://www.mscpressarea.com/en_INT/press-releases/4129 Accessed 28 July 2021

Oxford Economics (2020) Environmental commitment, innovation, and results of the cruise industry

Ozturk U, Gogtas H (2016) Destination attributes, satisfaction, and the cruise visitor's intent to revisit and recommend. Tour Geogr 18(2):194–212

Paiano A, Crovella T, Lagioia G (2020) Managing sustainable practices in cruise tourism: the assessment of carbon footprint and waste of water and beverage packaging. Tour Manag 77:104016

Papathanassis A (2020) Current issues in cruise tourism: deconstructing the 6th International Cruise Conference. Curr Issue Tour 23(14):1711–1717

Penco L, Di Vaio A (2014) Monetary and non-monetary value creation in cruise port destinations: an empirical assessment. Marit Policy Manag 41(5):501–513

Picciulin M, Bolgan M, Codarin A, Fiorin R, Colla S, Malavasi S (2013) Characterisation of the noise emitted by the passage of a passenger cruise liner in the Venice lagoon: concern about possible effects on the local fish community. Annales Series Historia Naturalis 23(2)

Pratt S, Blake A (2009) The economic impact of Hawaii’s cruise industry. Tour Anal 14(3):337–351

Ritter W, Schafer C (1998) Cruise-tourism: a chance of sustainability. Tour Recreat Res 23(1):65–71

Royal Caribbean International (2021) Symphony of the seas by the numbers. https://wwwroyalcaribbeanpresscentercom/press-kit/101/symphony-of-the-seas-by-the-numbers/ Accessed 27 July 2021

Stewart EJ, Dawson J, Draper D (2011) Cruise tourism and residents in Arctic Canada: development of a resident attitude typology. J Hosp Tour Manag 18(1):95–106

Tovar B, Espino R, López-del-Pino F (2020) Residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards the cruise tourism impact in gran Canaria. Res Transp Bus Manag 100586

UNWTO (2010) Cruise tourism – current situation and trends. World Tourism Organisation, Madrid

UNWTO (2016) Sustainable cruise tourism development strategies- tackling the challenges in itinerary Design in South-East Asia. World Tourism Organisation, Madrid

UNWTO (2020) A Lifeline for Small Island States: UNWTO Joins IMO to Highlight Importance of Cruise Tourism. https://wwwunwtoorg/news/unwto-and-imo-issue-join-to-support-safe-resumption-of-cruise-ship-operations Accessed 28 July 2021

Urry J (2002) The tourist gaze: leisure and travel in contemporary societies, 2nd edn. Sage, London

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) (2008) Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report. USEPA Oceans and Coastal Protection Division, Washington. EPA 842-R-07e005

Vayá E, Garcia JR, Murillo J, Romaní J, Suriñach J (2018) Economic impact of cruise activity: the case of Barcelona. J Travel Tour Mark 35(4):479–492

Weaver A (2005) The McDonaldization thesis and cruise tourism. Ann Tour Res 32(2):346–366

Wild P, Dearing J (2000) Development of and prospects for cruising in Europe. Marit Policy Manag 27(4):315–333

Wood RE (2000) Caribbean cruise tourism: globalization at sea. Ann Tour Res 27(2):345–370

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Daniela Buzova

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniela Buzova .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Cite this entry.

Buzova, D. (2022). Cruise Ships and Sustainability. In: The Palgrave Handbook of Global Sustainability. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38948-2_131-1

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38948-2_131-1

Received : 31 July 2021

Accepted : 09 September 2021

Published : 23 December 2021

Publisher Name : Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-030-38948-2

Online ISBN : 978-3-030-38948-2

eBook Packages : Springer Reference Earth and Environm. Science Reference Module Physical and Materials Science Reference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Environmental and human health impacts of cruise tourism: A review

Affiliations.

• 1 Oceans & Human Health Chair, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003 Girona, Spain. Electronic address: [email protected].
• 2 Oceans & Human Health Chair, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003 Girona, Spain.
• 3 Institute for Tourism, Vrhovec 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
• 4 Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, c/ Emili Grahit, 77, 17003 Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
• 5 European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
• PMID: 34598093
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112979

The intensive growth of cruise tourism worldwide during recent decades is leading to growing concerns over the sector's global environmental and health impacts. This review combines for the first time various sources of information to estimate the magnitude of the cruise industry's environmental and public health footprints. This research shows that cruising, despite technical advances and some surveillance programmes, remains a major source of air, water (fresh and marine) and land pollution affecting fragile habitats, areas and species, and a potential source of physical and mental human health risks. Health risks impact both the people on board (crew and passengers) and on land (workers of shipyards where cruise ships are dismantled and citizens inhabiting cities with cruise ports and shipyards). In this context, we argue that the cruise industry should be held accountable with more monitoring and regulation to prevent or minimize the growing negative environmental and human health impacts.

Keywords: Cruise; Health; Oceans & human health; Pollution; Tourism; Travel; Well-being.

Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication types

• Disease Outbreaks
• Public Health

• The Ocean’s Importance

What is the Ocean Panel?

Advisory Network

The Agenda: Transformations

Ocean Wealth

Ocean Health

Ocean Equity

Ocean Knowledge

Ocean Finance

Sustainable Ocean Plans

Progress Reports

Action Groups

Sustainable Coastal & Marine Tourism

• Publications

What does sustainability mean for the cruise industry and how can this be achieved in light of the impact the pandemic continues to have on the cruise industry? What is the future of cruise tourism?

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the slow pace of recovery, coastal and marine tourism remains one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world economy. For small island developing states (SIDS), tourism, including cruise tourism, is a major driver of economic growth and job creation, a major earner of foreign exchange and has been critical to ensuring economic resilience. Going forward, the sector’s core sustainability challenge, particularly for coastal states and vulnerable SIDS like those in the Caribbean, will be the extent to which the international community (both public and private) commits to decisive ocean-based climate actions. Cross-cutting sustainability considerations such as ecosystem protection, reducing pollution and plastic waste, biodiversity conservation and investments in green technologies within the blue economy must necessarily be mainstreamed in the development of the cruise tourism industry and tourism more generally. Oceans enable domestic and international tourism for almost 200 countries and overseas territories. Globally, the market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at US$3 trillion per year, or about 5 percent of global gross domestic product, whereas the contribution of the ocean economy to global value added has been estimated conservatively to be on the order of US$1.5 trillion annually, or roughly 3 percent of global value added [1] .

The development of coastal and marine tourism represents a significant component of the blue economy and its ability to help us attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This relates not only to SDG 14 (‘Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources’) but also to the blue economy’s role in achieving other SDGs, such as SDG 1 (‘End poverty in all its forms everywhere’). According to the UN World Tourism Organization, the cruise sector supports 1.2 million jobs and contributes US$150 billion to the global economy every year. As the global ocean economy rapidly expands, this presents increasing opportunities for and challenges to achieving sustainability in our ocean and on our coasts, particularly in the face of climate change and the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Coastal and ocean-based tourism contributes significantly to economic development worldwide—especially in the highly tourism-dependent Caribbean. The heavy reliance on marine and ocean resources is vital for the experiences cruise passengers consume. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the cruise subsector in 2018 contributed US$150.13 billion to the global economy, while in 2019 the sector contributed US$154.46 billion globally. At the national level, in 2019, cruise tourism contributed J$21.6 billion to the Jamaican economy through tourism recreational services, food and beverage services, passenger transport services, and recreational and cultural services.

It is important to balance the economic gains to be derived from the blue economy with the appropriate conservation and sustainable use of the resources, along with the social impact on coastal communities. The 2010–20 period ushered in the fastest growth ever in the cruise industry worldwide, with significant impacts on the marine and coastal environment. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jamaican economy earned an average of US$174.5 million through cruise tourism. In 2020, the foreign exchange earnings for cruise tourism totalled US$45.5 million.

However, as countries reeled from the economic impact of the pandemic, beneficial environmental effects of the ‘anthropause’ were observed [2] . According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, energy emissions declined by 7 percent and agriculture-related environmental pressures declined by 2 percent. We need to consider the environmental impacts of cruise tourism, since cruise ships are a major producer of untreated effluents and other pollutants which threaten the ocean’s survival. The UN Environment Programme identified cruise ships as one of the principal pollution sources in marine ecosystems [3] . In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that waste from cruise ships varies from 2.6 to 3.5 kilograms per person daily. Management of waste is governed by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships [4] .

The cruise tourism sector’s responsiveness to sustainability demands is vital to its existence. In other words, the ocean must be kept in pristine condition, effective solid waste management practices must be implemented, and epidemiological standards must be strictly followed to enable health security and safety. One can take solace in the fact that, as much as cruise tourism can harm the environment, it also has the potential to support sustainable ocean tourism. To this end, cruise tourism must take into account environmental impacts, carrying capacity, social responsibility and the integration of tourism within the local community. Special attention must be given to environmental factors that enable a thriving cruise industry. Efforts must be made to keep the ocean in pristine condition. In addition to pollution concerns, the lessons learned from the pandemic demand that the cruise industry carefully manage health protocols to guarantee a safe, secure and seamless experience for the traveller. In addition, onshore excursions, attractions and experiences associated with cruise tourism must be structured to ensure compliance with environmental standards and practices. This also ensures that partnerships are built with local communities, as cultural assets are consumed by cruisers. This approach has been actively demonstrated in the historic town of Falmouth, where the Port Authority of Jamaica, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, implemented several projects to make the port town more sustainable and inclusive. Continuous stakeholder consultations across various entities and communities identified priority areas for investment with significant socioeconomic opportunities. Some of the priority initiatives include the rehabilitation of Water Square in the town centre as well as the improvement and preservation of heritage infrastructure, drainage improvements and streetscaping. The Port Authority was also instrumental in the rehabilitation of the new farmer’s market at a cost of J$500 million to enhance visitors’ experience of shopping in the town. The authority also constructed a craft village to facilitate the formalisation of 90 craft traders. These vendors were trained and registered, and an association was established to represent their interests. The creation of a pedicab service facilitated integration of the townspeople into the cruise experience, as it created employment opportunities for unattached young men and residents of Falmouth and simultaneously provided an organised historical and heritage-based tour delivered in a safe manner [5] .

Despite the impact, the pandemic has afforded opportunities to strengthen the viability and sustainability of the cruise industry. For example, it offered a chance to re-examine the industry’s operations and impact in order to develop strategies and policies for the effective management of disruptions. In this regard, CLIA has reported its intention, by 2027, to have 26 cruise ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), 81 percent of global capacity fitted with advanced wastewater treatment systems and 174 cruise ships with shoreside power connectivity [6] . The Montego Bay Cruise Port provides LNG facilities to vessels, but only to a few cruise ships. Shoreside power connectivity is also available in Montego Bay. The cruise industry is expected to return with a more sustainable, streamlined and efficient model that will place greater focus on adherence to protocols to manage risk and to preserve and protect the industry’s operations as well as the marine and ocean resources on which it depends. The cruise industry’s operations in Jamaica must strictly comply with regulations of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, as well as the Ministry of Tourism’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols [7] .

As the world begins to prepare for its emergence from the pandemic, one of the most important considerations is public health and safety. Stringent measures and protocols for public health and safety must be established in partnership with health and port authorities. An alignment and collaboration between public health requirements and industry practices are necessary to establish and adhere to safety protocols and measures, especially those concerning medical and health facilities onboard vessels.

Cruise tourism is critical to the economic sustainability of the Caribbean. The Caribbean region is among the world’s leading ocean cruise destinations and one of the most lucrative spaces for cruises. According to Caribbean News Digital magazine, the Caribbean receives approximately 60 percent of the global share of cruise ship passengers. The Caribbean Tourism Organization reported that approximately 25 million cruise ship passengers visited 24 Caribbean destinations in 2014—a figure that increased by 11 percent in 2015. This presents a considerable opportunity for the economic development of ports as well as the social development of port communities. This will allow the development of measures which will allow ports and cruise lines to systematically address the industry’s economic, social and environmental impacts.

More important, cruise tourism and sustainable cruise tourism can be a transformational tool for communities that have traditionally been locked in a culture of silence. The integration of a cruise port development in the historic township of Port Royal is intended to transform the historically rich community into a sustainable heritage, environmental and cultural attraction, while upgrading its physical infrastructure and improving the economic and social conditions of the residents. The development will ultimately guide the transformation of the town into one with inclusion of the local people as well as good governance and management of sensitive ecological and natural resources. Concerted efforts were made throughout the project to foster collaboration among the key government agencies and to facilitate the integration of the people of Port Royal in the entire development exercise. A significant project modification arising from stakeholder discussion was the relocation of the on-port tertiary-level sewage system (which was originally only for the port) to an offsite location. The sewage treatment plant will utilise modern technology in its operations, allowing for a minimised building footprint and increased operational efficiency.

Our current moment offers an ideal opportunity to redefine cruise tourism. The future of the industry will be driven by investments in technological advancements that seek to increase efficiency and improve experiences while reducing social and environmental impacts. Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to accurately define the physical limits of destinations, vary travel itineraries and design effective destination conservation and rehabilitation projects. Governments will need to adjust to the growing demand for cruises by ensuring that the necessary regulatory and legislative arrangements are in place. The promotion of sound environmental practices, resilience strategies and environmental management systems will be essential for a reimagined cruise tourism industry. Finally, the on-land experiences and attractions that support cruises must adapt and evolve with new creative and innovative strategies in order to satisfy the increasing demand.

The health and sustainability of our ocean are critical to the survival of the tourism industry and, by extension, our planet. In this regard, as a small island developing state, Jamaica welcomes the goal of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) to achieve a sustainable tourism economy by 2030 [8] . The period that follows COVID-19 will see increased growth in coastal and marine based tourism, especially cruise tourism. This demands the implementation of sound and robust strategies, policies and management practices that ensure viability and sustainability for countries and communities, for this generation and the next.

—–

[1] P.G. Patil, J. Virdin, S.M. Diez, J. Roberts and A. Singh, Toward a Blue Economy: A Promise for Sustainable Growth in the Caribbean (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2016), https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/965641473449861013/pdf/AUS16344-REVISED-v1-BlueEconomy-FullReport-Oct3.pdf.

[2] I.A. Callejas, C.M. Lee, D.R. Mishra, S.L. Felgate, C. Evans, A. Carrias, A. Rosado et al., “Effect of COVID-19 Anthropause on Water Clarity in the Belize Coastal Lagoon,” Frontiers in Marine Science , 5 May 2021, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.648522.

[3] L. Jeftic, S.B. Sheavly and E. Adler, Marine Litter: A Global Challenge (Washington, DC: UN Environment Programme, 2009).

[4] L.S. Johnson, Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report , no. EPA 842-R-07-005 (Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2008).

[5] Jamaica’s voluntary national review (2018) defines ‘unattached youth . . . as those who are in the age group of 14–24 years, unemployed or outside the labour force, and not in school or in training’. Jamaica Voluntary National Review Report on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development , June 2018, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/19499JamaicaMain_VNR_Report.pdf.

[6] Cruise Lines International Association, 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook , https://cruising.org/-/media/clia-media/research/2022/clia-state-of-the-cruise-industry-2022_updated.ashx.

[7] C. Patterson, “Protocols Being Developed for Resumption of Cruise Operations,” Jamaica Information Service , 13 August 2021, https://jis.gov.jm/protocols-being-developed-for-resumption-of-cruise-operations/.

[8] “Coastal and ocean-based tourism must be sustainable, resilient, address climate change, reduce pollution, support ecosystem regeneration and biodiversity conservation and invest in local jobs and communities.” High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: A Vision for Protection, Production and Prosperity , 2020, https://www.oceanpanel.org/ocean-action/files/transformations-sustainable-ocean-economy-eng.pdf.

Accessibility Tools

Privacy overview.

• Global City & International State Travel
• Global Travel Service
• Air Passenger Forecasts
• Custom Forecasts
• Cruise Forecasts
• Visitor Economy
• Travel Industries
• Marketing Investment
• Events & Projects
• Testimonials
• Budget Analysis
• Policy Analysis
• Marketing Allocation Platform
• Project Feasibility
• In the News
• Client Login
• Oxford Economics

Cruise Tourism Economic Impact

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), in partnership with Tourism Economics, has released a suite of Cruise Economic Impact Studies—the first since 2019.

The cruise industry is a significant and rapidly growing segment of world tourism. Its swift, impressive rebound contributed to $138B in total economic output and 1.2 million jobs globally in 2022, as detailed in reports commissioned by CLIA and produced by Tourism Economics.

In recent decades, overall travel demand has increased across the globe due to rising standards of living, changes in consumer behavior and improved access to transport, among other factors. This growth has benefitted many tourism sectors, including the cruise industry. 

Notably, 2021 was a year of rebirth for cruises as pandemic restrictions were lifted and operations accelerated. Deployment jumped in early 2022 and by year's end, the total capacity deployed in terms of Available Passenger Cruise Days (APCD) clocked in just below 2019 levels.

Explore the global study, plus U.S., Canada, and Europe: 

• Global Report
• USA Report  
• Canada Report
• Europe Report

Key findings highlight that although the pandemic suppressed passenger volumes, the cruise industry's global activities in 2022 yielded significant economic benefits, supporting $137.6 billion in economic output, $68.9 billion in GDP, 1.2 million total jobs and $42.8 billion in wages. 

Learn more about our ongoing work to provide detailed, high-frequency insights on deployment, passenger volume, and pricing across 3,000 ports and destinations.

Environmental Impacts of Cruise Tourism Essay (Article)

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

The Events Happening at the Destinations that Prompted the Article

Positive and negative consequences, negative impacts and positive consequences, a major trend in the tourism industry, how tourism managers are handling the above consequences, reference list.

Tourism has remained a profitable economic activity in many destinations and countries. Tourism has the potential to produce positive economic developments and ideas. Many societies, nations, and communities have embraced the concept of sustainable tourism in order to benefit the most from it. Many scholars “have encouraged the idea of sustainable tourism because it respects the natural environment” (Wall & Mathieson, 2005, p. 18).

Sustainable tourism promotes the best practices in order to conserve natural resources for posterity (Brida & Zapata, 2010). Cruise tourism has become common in many parts of the world. Cruise tourism is “a new phenomenon that can have numerous impacts on the natural environment” (Brida & Zapata, 2010, p. 206). This paper examines the discussions presented in the article “Cruise Tourism: Economic, Socio-Cultural, and Environmental Impacts” by Juan Gabriel Brida and Sandra Zapata.

The authors of the above article focused on the issue of cruise tourism. The researchers wanted to examine several destinations that had recorded diverse changes due to cruise tourism. The article examined the economic, environmental, and socio-cultural implications of cruise tourism.

The authors targeted specific destinations for the three phenomenons to come up with meaningful findings. The targeted destinations included “ports such as Cozumel, Alaska, and Miami” (Brida & Zapata, 2010, p. 211). According to the researchers, many destinations and ports were not complying with the stipulated Environmental Conservation Standards (ECSs).

Most of the ships using the above ports failed to comply with different international policies. Some of these ports did not have effective infrastructure. However, the targeted destinations “promoted cruise tourism without analyzing the sustainability of the surrounding environment” (Brida & Zapata, 2010, p. 219).

Most of the recreational activities embraced in such ports disturbed both plants and aquatic life. Littering and disturbance were common in targeted destinations (Brida & Zapata, 2010). The absence of appropriate environmental strategies affected the sustainability of each destination.

The study identified the negative environmental consequences associated with cruise tourism in the targeted ports. Many citizens in the United States were unhappy with the actions of different shipping companies. For instance, some individuals wanted such companies to act in a responsible manner.

The government also imposed new laws and policies to monitor the actions of different companies. Most of the targeted port destinations were incapable of producing sustainable environments. This development made it impossible for many communities to benefit from the practice (Brida & Zapata, 2010).

According to Brida and Zapata (2010), identified cruise erosion as a leading cause of soil erosion in the targeted destinations. The number of destroyed habitats was also on the rise. The practice was also consuming more geological sites in the targeted regions. Some ports were also under expansion thus destroying different natural landscapes and vegetables.

This move affected “the ecological systems of the targeted destinations” (Brida & Zapata, 2010, p. 213). Some shipping companies were also dumping their chemicals in different ports. Many “ships were also contaminating seawater” (Brida & Zapata, 2010, p. 220). However, some employees did not give accurate reports after witnessing the above events.

The study was also able to record some positive gains. To begin with, the government had managed to implement new regulations and laws. This practice made it easier to monitor the practices of different Cruise Tourism Companies.

The development also established new regulations and practices thus promoting the idea of environmental conservation. Some companies also embraced better strategies in order to produce sustainable environments (Brida & Zapata, 2010). Such practices were becoming relevant thus safeguarding different endangered species.

The authors have mainly focused on the negative issues associated with cruise tourism. The decision to modify different ports and create new ones has resulted in the loss of many natural habitats. Such expansions have also affected every surrounding natural environment. The increased level of wastes and contaminations has affected many aquatic animals.

Such negative impacts have encouraged the American government to produce better laws and legislation. These laws are currently producing positive results. Many ships “produce large volumes of contaminant wastes” (Brida & Zapata, 2010, p. 219). New ideas have emerged in order to inspect every vessel. This practice has encouraged every ship to comply with different international standards. According to the article, this strategy has produced positive results.

Many municipal departments have identified “several regulations and procedures for port expansion” (Brida & Zapata, 2010, p. 221). For instance, every planner and engineer should address the environmental impacts of such ports. Every port under expansion should identify new strategies in order to deal with the problem of environmental degradation.

Some fines are stipulated “to ensure every cruise line does not break any environmental law” (Wall & Mathieson, 2005, p. 49). This development has been useful in many societies. New rehabilitation programs have begun in different ports and coastlines. New agencies have “emerged to monitor the activities executed by different cruise ships and companies” (Brida & Zapata, 2010, p. 219).

The above practices will be critical in the future. More cruise lines understand the dangers associated with their shipping practices. This understanding will make it easier for them to promote better shipping practices. This practice will eventually produce positive gains. Cruise tourism is a powerful practice that can improve the economy of different regions (Brida & Zapata, 2010).

That being the case, it would be necessary to consider the best practices and ideas that will promote sustainable cruise tourism (SCT). Every government should implement new policies and laws in order to support the changing needs of its citizens.

Several trends are observable in the tourism industry across the globe. Different forms of tourism affect the natural environment due to continued degradation and overuse of natural resources. For instance, tourism increases the rate of human movement. This practice produces more pressure on different environments and societies. However, this development has resulted in better ideas and practices that can address the issues associated with cruise tourism.

A new trend has emerged due to the negative consequences of tourism. According to Brida and Zapata (2010), many theorists have identified better strategies in order to address the problem of environmental degradation. This powerful move can result in sustainable tourism. This kind of tourism has the potential to support the changing needs of local communities and populations.

A new trend has emerged whereby “many individuals and municipalities are informing the public about the importance of the natural environment” (Wall & Mathieson, 2005, p. 94). Tourism has become a meaningful practice that produces beneficial effects on different environments.

Many governments have formulated better policies in order to conserve the natural environment. Tourism “has become a powerful practice that informs more people about the relevance of various environmental values” (Brida & Zapata, 2010, p. 58). The strategy has become a powerful tool for protecting the natural environment. This practice has made tourism a useful practice that supports the changing needs of different populations.

The above programs have educated more people about the dangers of environmental contamination and overuse of natural resources. Sustainable tourism has also become common in many communities. This new trend is currently becoming common in different parts of the world. The concept of environmental protection “will eventually make tourism a positive practice that supports the living conditions of many individuals” (Wall & Mathieson, 2005, p. 85).

The article “Cruise Tourism: Economic, Socio-Cultural and Environmental Impacts” has focused on several impacts of tourism. According to the authors, tourism has continued to produce diverse implications on the lives of many people. I strongly believe that the authors have examined the issue of environmental degradation in a professional manner.

The authors have outlined the major sources of contaminants that affect different regions. The U.S. government is currently addressing the issues associated with different forms of tourism. Sustainable tourism has become a powerful concept that can address the problem of environmental degradation (Wall & Mathieson, 2005).

Every tourism manager (TM) in the targeted destinations was handling the consequences of cruise tourism in a professional manner. Such managers have been identifying new ideas that can result in sustainable practices. The implementation of new laws and policies has played a significant in the shipping industry.

Cruise tourism “remains a meaningful economic practice whose relevance has been felt in every corner of the world” (Wall & Mathieson, 2005, p. 109). However, new ideas and practices will be critical in the future. The strategy will ensure cruise tourism becomes profitable and sustainable.

Brida, J., & Zapata, S. (2010). Cruise Tourism: Economic, Socio-Cultural and Environmental Impacts. International Journal of Leisure and Tourism Marketing, 1 (3), 205-226.

Wall, G., & Mathieson, A. (2005). Tourism: Change, Impacts and Opportunities . Upper-Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

• Star Cruises: A Critical View on Global Strategy
• Oceania Cruises' History and Marketing Strategies
• Air Travel, Cruises and Vacation Spots in America
• Government Shutdown and Its Impact on Tourism
• Tourism: Shaikh Zayed Mosque in UAE
• The Internet Impacts on the Travel Industry
• Miami Beach as a Relaxing Place
• Comparison of Dubai and Cape Town as Vacation Locations
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, March 22). Environmental Impacts of Cruise Tourism. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-impacts-of-cruise-tourism/

"Environmental Impacts of Cruise Tourism." IvyPanda , 22 Mar. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-impacts-of-cruise-tourism/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Environmental Impacts of Cruise Tourism'. 22 March.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Environmental Impacts of Cruise Tourism." March 22, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-impacts-of-cruise-tourism/.

1. IvyPanda . "Environmental Impacts of Cruise Tourism." March 22, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-impacts-of-cruise-tourism/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Environmental Impacts of Cruise Tourism." March 22, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-impacts-of-cruise-tourism/.