Explored Europe's largest vessel for a full week
The cruise industry, with major players like MSC Cruises, is growing rapidly, but faces significant environmental criticisms. One of the latest additions to the industry is MSC World America, a ship that recently joined the Caribbean, hosting 43% of global cruise passengers.
MSC World America is part of MSC Cruises' World class, a significant part of the company's operations. The company plans to have up to six ships in this class, with MSC World America and its sister ship, MSC World Europe, being the second and third additions respectively.
However, the growth of the cruise industry has raised concerns about increasing environmental footprints. Cruise ships generate enormous amounts of sewage, emit significant pollutants, and contribute to ocean waste. Despite some attempts at greener operations, the scale of cruise expansion presents ongoing challenges that require stronger regulation, transparency, and adoption of sustainable technologies.
Water pollution is a major issue, with cruise ships generating an estimated 176,400 gallons of sewage per week for a 3,000-passenger ship, totaling over one billion gallons annually for the industry. Despite onboard treatment plants, pollutants such as heavy metals and non-biodegradable chemicals often remain, harming marine ecosystems.
Air pollution and climate impact are also concerns, with cruise vessels emitting significant amounts of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and greenhouse gases. In 2022, European cruise ships emitted more sulfur oxides than all cars on the continent combined.
Waste and ocean contamination are also issues, with cruises accounting for a disproportionate share of ocean waste. They generate plastics, chemicals, oily bilge water, and ballast water discharges, all of which pose severe risks to marine biodiversity.
Despite these challenges, the cruise industry promotes some sustainable initiatives, such as investment in green technologies, advanced wastewater treatment, and better destination management. However, these efforts remain inconsistent and insufficient according to environmental watchdog groups.
MSC Cruises, a subsidiary of the world's leading container transport company, inaugurated MSC World America at the end of March. The company is part of the broader industry effort to expand and innovate rapidly, but the environmental impacts of this growth must be carefully managed to ensure sustainable development.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the main industry lobby, and the European Commission highlights that while the cruise industry is an economic driver, it must balance growth with environmental responsibility through more transparent, measurable sustainability practices.
In 1997, there were approximately 5 million cruise tourists. By 2024, this number had risen to 34.6 million, setting a historical record for the number of tourists in the cruise industry. The industry's social model has been a subject of criticism, particularly in regards to its workers, but a couple can typically spend less than 1,500 euros a week, including meals, debunking the perception of cruises as tourism for the rich.
However, the cruise industry is facing multiple criticisms, including air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, overtourism, and social issues related to its workers. These challenges must be addressed to ensure the sustainable growth of the industry and the protection of our oceans and marine ecosystems.
[1] Greenpeace. (2021). Cruise ships: A dirty secret. Retrieved from https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/oceans/ocean-plastics/cruise-ships-a-dirty-secret/
[2] The Guardian. (2022). Cruise ships are a floating time bomb for the oceans. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/cruise-ships-are-a-floating-time-bomb-for-the-oceans
[3] European Commission. (2021). Sustainable cruising for a sustainable blue economy. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/transport/cruise/index_en.htm
[4] European Parliament. (2021). Report on the impact of the cruise industry on the environment and on human health. Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2021-0388_EN.html
MSC World America, being part of MSC Cruises' World class, is aiming to contribute to the industry's growth, with plans for up to six ships in this class. Despite this growth, concerns about the environmental impacts of the cruise industry remain significant, as cruise ships generate vast amounts of sewage, emit pollutants, and contribute to ocean waste.
The cruise industry should balance its expansion with environmental responsibility, implementing stronger regulations, transparency, and adoption of sustainable technologies to ensure the protection of marine ecosystems and mitigate air pollution and climate change.
