Cruising made a swift comeback from the pandemic. However, while more resilient than other tourism sectors, cruising’s resurgence sparked debate over its environmental impact and strain on popular destinations.
In 2023, cruise travel surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic levels, with 31.7 million passengers — 107% of that year’s total — according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2024 State of the Industry Report.
With 84% of baby boomers and Gen Xers, and 81% of millennials planning to return to sea, cruises remain a dominant and enduring travel choice. However, industry leaders still work to address passengers’ sustainability concerns.
Communities Combat Cruising
While these trends excite those who love to cruise, myself included, not everyone is happy. In fact, strong feelings about cruise travel and passengers are coming to a head across ports worldwide.
The cruise industry travels to every part of the world, including Antarctica. However, some ports push back against cruise guests, implementing tourist fees, limiting the amount of ships in port, or prohibiting ships from docking altogether.
Venice banned cruise ships from docking at its port, though cruise lines still offer “Venice” itineraries. They just dock in nearby cities like Trieste or Ravenna and bus passengers into the city.
Juneau, Alaska, faces overwhelming cruise traffic during its short season. Welcoming 1.6 million visitors annually, the city will limit daily cruise passengers beginning in 2026.
Santorini, Greece, sees more cruise visitors than its population can handle, prompting local authorities to limit the number of ships allowed to dock daily. In Santorini, cruise passengers frequently encounter tension from locals, even with just one ship in port.
Some cruise passengers suffer the wrath of locals fed up with overtourism. Residents greet visitors with protests and chants. In extreme cases like Barcelona, citizens spray water and force tourists to leave the city’s main areas.
Recently, protesting locals in Amsterdam prevented Royal Carribbean’s nine-month world cruise ship from docking, blocking locks the boat used to enter the port.
The cruise ship crew heard news of the protest and left its previous port early to reach Amsterdam before things got out of control. The crew still met resistance, backing out of the locks and waiting in the open sea until local law enforcement could assist.
It’s more than that, though. Those opposing cruise travel say the industry destroys the planet with high emissions, damaging waterways and reef systems. They worry that as ships get larger and more plentiful, environmental impact and damage will increase.
Emese Maczko, owner of Eco Lodges Everywhere, states, “I would not go on a cruise for several reasons. These megaships have a huge environmental footprint and are overwhelming small destinations.”
Cruise Lines Quell Consumer Concerns
Though cruise lines enjoy their growth, they hear the complaints and fears of those against them. Many companies take actionable steps to improve the cruise experience, not just for passengers but also for visited communities and oceans.
Overtourism
One way cruise lines combat complaints? Staggering their arrivals into frequently overcrowded ports. Itineraries limit the amount of ships in a single port, scheduling arrivals on different days or spending less time in port.
In Mykonos, ships stagger arrival times, with one docking in the early morning and another in the afternoon. This strategy reduces overcrowding while still allowing passengers to experience popular ports.
Some cruise lines purchase islands and incorporate those stops into their most popular itineraries. Currently, 10 cruise line-owned destinations and five new private islands or beach clubs are opening in the next two years.
Some of the most popular private island experiences are in the Bahamas, where cruisers enjoy crystal-clear water and powdery white sand.
Disney now owns two private stops: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Carnival Corporation has Half Moon Cay (my favorite) and Princess Cay, with Celebration Key opening in July 2025.
Royal Caribbean offers their popular island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, on most Bahamas itineraries. It’s a favorite stop for cruisers — some choose itineraries specifically to visit this fun-filled stop.
Virgin Voyages, the adults-only cruise line owned by Richard Branson, doesn’t have an entire island but does offer a wonderful beach club option in Bimini.
Environmental Concerns
While it’s true that older cruise ships weren’t overly environmentally friendly, the industry as a whole now works proactively. Cruise lines responded to challenges with significant technological advancements aimed at reducing their environmental footprint.
CLIA highlights the goal of the cruise industry to have net zero emissions by 2050. Around 32 pilot projects and collaborative initiatives are underway with fuel producers and engine companies testing sustainable fuels and technologies.
In CLIA’s 2023 report, they outline several key initiatives to make cruise travel a sustainable form of tourism for years to come:
Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS) — CLIA cruise lines pledge not to discharge untreated sewage during regular operations. Their systems often surpass standards set for coastal cities and international regulations.Water Conservation — Cruise lines use advanced systems to produce up to 90% of their water on board, reducing the need to take water from areas with limited resources.Marine Life Protection — CLIA members slow down in sensitive areas and use technology to reduce underwater noise and vibrations. Some ships also host scientists to support marine life research.Waste Repurposing and Reduction — Certain ships repurpose all waste, use excess heat from machinery for water heating, and reduce food waste with bio-digesters.Onshore Power Systems (OPS) — By plugging into port power, ships can turn off engines, reducing emissions. Nearly half of the fleet can use this option where ports have the necessary infrastructure.Air Lubrication Systems and Hull Coatings — Air lubrication and special coatings reduce drag, improving fuel efficiency by nearly 10%.Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) — EGCS technology removes 98% of sulfur and over half of particulate matter, cutting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 12%.Fuel Flexibility — Ships with flexible propulsion systems can adapt to bioLNG, synthetic LNG, or methanol when these fuels are more widely available.
Cruising in the Future
While some, like Maczko, may find cruising unappealing, the industry’s sustainability efforts are evolving rapidly. With ongoing technological advancements, the industry is becoming more environmentally responsible. For those with outdated perceptions of cruising, it’s worth reconsidering, as what awaits may be more sustainable and enjoyable than expected.
