The least environmentally friendly cruise companies ranked – with passenger

Cruise travel has always been a popular way to explore the world, but it comes with significant environmental challenges. A recent report from the eco-group Friends of the Earth has once again raised questions about the industry’s sustainability efforts. The report evaluated 243 cruise ships from 21 major lines, focusing on issues like sewage treatment, air pollution control, and transparency. Unfortunately, five cruise brands under Carnival Corporation received failing grades, sparking debate about the environmental impact of these floating resorts.

Carnival’s Performance: Failing Grades Across the Board

The report by Friends of the Earth ranked cruise lines based on four key factors:

1. Sewage and graywater treatment.
2. Use of shoreside electrical power.
3. Usage of low-sulfur fuel.
4. Installation of exhaust gas scrubbers.

Carnival’s five brands—Seabourn, Cunard, Carnival Cruise Lines, P&O Cruises, and Costa Cruises—performed poorly, all receiving average grades of “F.” Here’s a closer look at their shortcomings:

• Seabourn: Known for its luxury offerings, only some of its ships have advanced sewage systems. However, five of these vessels use scrubbers, which reduce air pollution but create toxic wastewater.
• P&O Cruises: Four out of seven ships have advanced sewage systems, but two vessels still run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), a significant source of greenhouse gases.
• Costa Cruises: Out of nine ships, only two have advanced sewage systems, and eight rely on polluting scrubbers.
• Cunard: This luxury brand has one out of four ships capable of plugging into shoreside power, falling short in modern sustainability standards.
• Carnival Cruise Lines: With 24 out of 27 ships using scrubbers and only half featuring advanced sewage systems, the brand struggles to keep up with environmental demands.

Wärtsilä to support efficiency of Carnival’s waste handling with four-year technical support agreement

The Industry’s Response: Defending Sustainability Efforts

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the industry’s largest trade group, pushed back against the report. They called it unscientific and claimed it misrepresented facts. CLIA emphasized that cruise companies are committed to reducing their environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

According to the association, the industry has already made progress:

• Usage of heavy fuels has dropped significantly, from 74% in 2019 to 56% in 2023.
• Many cruise lines now use shoreside electricity, allowing ships to turn off their engines while docked.
• Modern engines capable of running on biofuels and synthetic fuels are being introduced.

CLIA also highlighted ongoing investments in eco-friendly technologies and new ships designed with sustainability in mind.

The Debate Over Transparency

Friends of the Earth acknowledged that their report relied on publicly available data rather than direct verification. This has fueled a debate between environmental groups and the cruise industry about the need for transparency. Travelers today are more aware of their environmental footprint, which means cruise lines face increasing pressure to adopt greener practices.

While cruise companies have made strides in improving sustainability, critics argue that these efforts are not enough. More transparency and faster adoption of eco-friendly technologies could help rebuild trust and reduce the environmental damage caused by cruising.