Ecotourism has made waves in the cruise industry, with Royal Caribbean unveiling its most environmentally friendly ship yet. This innovative vessel features a roller coaster on board while boasting a reduced environmental footprint. The company is stepping up its green game by becoming the first in America to power a cruise ship using liquid natural gas. This commitment to sustainability has resonated with 50% of US citizens who now view cruising as eco-friendly, leading to a surge in business.Cruising, once considered an elite pursuit, has now become a mainstream vacation option comparable to traditional package holidays. While many cruise lines claim to be adopting more eco-conscious practices, the reality can sometimes fall short. How did cruise ships evolve into such a threat to the planet?Royal Caribbean’s massive Icon of the Seas exemplifies the modern cruise ship design – large, boxy, and resort-like. However, the origins of cruise ships were quite different. The Victoria Louise, one of the first purpose-built cruise ships, had a sleek, streamlined profile designed for speed across the Atlantic. As air travel became more affordable, sea voyages shifted focus to tropical destinations, leading to the current trend of maximizing onboard amenities rather than prioritizing speed.The Icon of the Seas, accommodating nearly 10,000 passengers, offers an array of attractions across its 20 decks, including a water park, indoor waterfall, entertainment shows, and numerous dining options. Despite the allure of these amenities, opting for a smaller vessel can lower costs below the average holiday spending. The popularity of cruising has skyrocketed with decreasing prices, resulting in higher energy consumption and waste production.The environmental impact of traditional cruise ships is staggering, with emissions surpassing those of air travel and contributing significantly to pollution levels. European cruise ships emitted more sulphur oxides than all cars on the continent combined, highlighting the severity of the issue. In addition to emissions, cruise ships discharge oil, sewage, plastics, and other pollutants into the ocean, contributing to a significant portion of marine waste.Efforts to mitigate these impacts include reducing ship speed, utilizing cleaner fuels like hydrogen or methanol, and implementing shore power connections at ports. While some progress has been made, many cruise companies have yet to fully embrace these solutions. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas showcases advancements in water treatment technology but faces challenges in implementing fuel cell batteries and shore power infrastructure due to supplier issues and port limitations.Some European port cities have taken a proactive stance by restricting or banning cruise ships to combat pollution. Barcelona and Amsterdam are among the cities leading the way, following in the footsteps of Venice, which significantly reduced sulphur emissions after imposing restrictions on large cruise ships. These initiatives demonstrate the growing recognition of the environmental impact of cruise tourism and the urgent need for sustainable practices in the industry.
