cruise ships and waste

What happens to all that uneaten food on cruises? These lines are working to reduce waste.

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While I watched a crew member aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam ship haul away my half-eaten order of french fries, I felt a pang of yearning.

I spent nearly two weeks sailing with the line in October and made a point to sample nearly every restaurant on board, including the burger joint Dive-In, but never requested a to-go box at the end of a meal as I might on land. With only a minibar in my stateroom and food always at my beck-and-call, it seemed impractical.

Little did I know that elsewhere on board, a machine probably would soon be chomping on my leftovers.

Holland America Line has installed biodigesters that can break down organic material as part of efforts to shrink its food waste footprint, and parent company Carnival Corp. now has more than 600 of the devices in its fleet.

For many travelers, food is a key part of the cruise experience, with seemingly unlimited options − think buffets − included in the fare . But for all the cuisine passengers enjoy, there is plenty that doesn’t get eaten, and many lines are working to refine their processes for dealing with that waste.

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What happens to food waste on cruise ships?

Carnival, which operates brands including Holland America, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and others, generates 1.3 pounds of food waste per person each day on average but can generate as little as 0.6 pounds per person a day, depending on the line, a spokesperson for the company said in an email.

All of that waste is either processed via biodigesters or dehydrators, or offloaded on shore.

Some of the company’s ships have long had dehydrators, which squeeze the water from food waste and lighten the load that can be taken to landfills, compost sites or waste-to-energy facilities. “And that was good, but not necessarily good enough,” said Bill Burke, the company’s chief maritime officer.

The company began a three-pronged approach to food waste in 2019, he said, from the point when the lines stock food to after guests throw away what they don’t eat.

Carnival analyzed the waste and worked to determine what was left over, what the line could reuse in other recipes and where it could cut back. “That’s a significant carbon issue if we’re buying food that we’re not using,” Burke said.

The company has reduced food waste by more than 30% per person when compared with its 2019 baseline, according to its 2022 sustainability report , and has set new goals of 40% by 2025 and 50% by 2030.

Burke said Carnival, which operates the largest number of U.S. sailings, also has worked to reduce single-use plastics, swapping individual yogurt cups for bulk containers, for instance. The biodigesters, which he called the “holy grail,” have rounded out that work, digesting much of the organic waste that before would have been ground up and discharged, turning what’s left into a liquid.

Other companies and cruise lines are working toward similar aims.

Royal Caribbean International uses proprietary technology to track how much food is being wasted − by weighing pans of lasagna before and after they are served, for instance − and amend production accordingly. The cruise line has expanded those efforts, including using point-of-sale data to forecast how much food it will use based on passenger demographics, the itinerary and other information.

“(If) we have 10% more kids, we know we’re going to need significantly more chicken fingers,” said Linken D’Souza, the line’s vice president of food and beverage.

Leveraging that intel will allow them to be proactive, D’Souza said, and eliminate waste before it happens.

Some initiatives have been particularly creative. Norwegian Cruise Line launched zero-waste drinks at a bar on its Prima ship last year, reusing items like banana peels and croissants in cocktails.

Story continues below.

How do biodigesters work?

Carnival uses biodigesters from several companies, including Recoup Technologies, formerly BioHiTech America. Its product uses microorganisms and other bacteria to rapidly process food waste much like a human digestive system might, according to director of technology operations Bob Joyce.

“The way we tend to describe it is just basically as a metal stomach,” he said. What goes in as salad or steak comes out as a smoothie-like mixture the cruise ship can then discharge. “If you can eat it, it can eat it,” he said.

But while the machines, which cost $25,000 to $50,000 depending on the size, can take in a wide range of produce, proteins and starches, Joyce noted that certain items such as walnut shells and steak bones will not break down inside. Crew members sort out inorganic materials beforehand.

The company discharges the liquid at least 12 miles from shore. Holland America’s Rotterdam has nine of them, along with one dehydrator.

“Biodigesters reduce the amount of methane and carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere while also reducing the demand on the ocean for complete food waste decomposition,” Carnival said in its sustainability report. The biodigesters processed about 80 million pounds of food waste in 2022, which would have taken up about 1 million cubic feet of space had it been sent to a landfill and released 30,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the spokesperson added.

 But that doesn’t mean the waste is good for marine life.

“They’re putting nutrients into the oceans that can disrupt aquatic ecosystems,” said Gregory Keoleian, director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan.

The kind of human sustenance cruise ships discharge is not typically part of fish and other aquatic creatures’ diets, and introducing it can disturb complex food webs, according to Keoleian. “They didn’t evolve to eat human food waste,” he said.

“Our success – and quite literally, our livelihood – depends on doing our part to protect the vibrant marine ecosystems, beautiful communities, and scenic spaces we operate in,” the Carnival spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “We’re investing in the industry’s smartest solutions to enable sustainable cruising, such as biodigesters, which offer the best available food waste solution on the market today.”

Carnival also acknowledged in 2019 that its vessels had committed environmental crimes and knowingly allowed plastic to be discharged with food waste in the Bahamas. 

What can passengers do?

Keoleian said preventing food waste generation is as important as how it’s managed, and passengers can play a role in minimizing the environmental repercussions.

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That can mean simply wasting less food when they have a meal on board, and being judicious about what food items they pick. “If you look at the environmental impacts of food, what foods they choose to eat will impact the environment differently,” he said. 

Beef, for example, is more carbon-intensive to produce than other sources of protein like chicken or fish or plant-based proteins, he said.

Burke said that in addition to working toward greater sustainability, there are other positive byproducts, such as appealing to younger travelers who prioritize that in particular. “If we want you to cruise on one of our ships, I think it will matter to you how we take care of the ocean. So, it’s not just doing good, it's doing the right thing for business as well.”

Do you find it easier to increase or reduce the amount of waste you produce on cruises? How so?

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Cruise Ship Discharges and Studies

• bilge water (water that collects in the lowest part of the ship's hull and may contain oil, grease and other contaminants)
• graywater (waste water from showers, sinks, laundries and kitchens)
• ballast water (water taken onboard or discharged from a vessel to maintain its stability)
• solid waste (food waste and garbage)

These discharges can have impacts on water quality. Impacts depend on the characteristics of the discharge (e.g., constituents present, levels of discharge) and the characteristics of the receiving waters (e.g., currents, temperature).

Work to Date on Cruise Ship Discharges

Cruise ship discharge assessment report (2008) *.

• what the waste stream is and how much is generated
• what laws apply to the waste stream
• how the waste stream is managed
• potential environmental impacts of the waste stream
• ongoing actions by the federal government to address the waste stream
• a wide range of options and alternatives to address the waste stream from cruise ships in the future

Plume dilution study (2008) *

Nitrogen compounds sampling report (2005) *

The EPA sampled wastewater from four cruise ships that operated in Alaska during the summer of 2005, to collect information on nutrients in cruise ship wastewater. 

Alaskan cruise vessel survey (2004) *

In 2004, the EPA distributed a "Survey Questionnaire to Determine the Effectiveness, Costs, and Impacts of Sewage and Graywater Treatment Devices for Large Cruise Ships Operating in Alaska" to all cruise ships authorized to carry 500 or more passengers that operated in Alaska at the time.

The final version of the survey (approved by the Office of Management and Budget), associated Federal Register notices, supporting documents and comments received can be found at   www.regulations.gov   under the EPA's docket ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0081.

Sampling reports (2004) *

Plume tracking survey (2001)

The EPA conducted a plume tracking survey to study the dilution of cruise ship discharges from wastewater systems in offshore waters.

Public hearings (2000)

The EPA, together with the U.S. Coast Guard and other Federal agencies, solicited public input on the issue of cruise ship discharges during public hearings in Los Angeles, Juneau and Miami .

* For access to these reports, please submit a request through the Contact Us link at the bottom of this page.

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Matador Original Series

Where Does the Waste Go on Cruise Ships, and Is It Really Sustainable?

D on’t pretend it hasn’t crossed your mind. When you flush a cruise ship toilet and hear that rapid, louder-than-usual whooshing sound, you wonder as you stare at the empty bowl … “where does it all go?” On land, we have all kinds of easy explanations. We have sewer systems that pump to sewage treatment plants where the waste is processed and treated. But at sea, when you may not be making landfall for days, what happens to it?

You wander out of the bathroom and onto your private balcony, where you sit and stare out at the vast sea. Then it hits you. “What about everything else?” It’s not just human waste that seemingly has nowhere to go in the middle of the ocean, but food waste, plastic waste, and pretty much everything else we mindlessly toss in the trash. There are no dumpsters around the corner, no recycling plants nearby. How do cruise ships dispose of waste in a sustainable manner, so that doesn’t do irreparable harm to the environment?

Nothing that’s human-made in this world is 100 percent sustainable. That said, as public attention to sustainability efforts across all industries has increased, cruise ships have implemented a number of sophisticated treatment and recycling programs for everything from sewage and organic waste to landfill diversion in order to minimize the environmental impact of leisure on the water.

How waste disposal actually works

First of all, before we start talking about getting rid of waste — what happens to it on the ship? It has to be stored somewhere until it’s ready to be discharged, after all.

“Human waste is processed through our advanced wastewater treatment system,” Sarah Dwyer, Sustainability Program Manager for Virgin Voyages , tells Matador Network . “This system processes all blackwater (toilets), greywater (sinks and showers), laundry water, galley greywater, and food waste reject water to comply with MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) regulations.”

The process is similar on Uniworld Boutique River Cruises although waste storage on a smaller river ship will differ somewhat from storage on a huge ocean liner.

“Human waste is collected in a tank (with a bacteria system) and this is emptied regularly, depending on where the ships are docked and whether we have access to the local sewerage system or if we have an external company coming to pump it out,” Julie Higgins, Sustainability Officer for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, tells Matador Network . “For food waste, each ship has a geographical partner that either collects the food waste for animal feed or uses it for biofuel creation. These pickup points are fixed according to each itinerary.”

It’s not exactly surprising that cruise ships have pretty well-developed and intricate methods of getting rid of their waste. On Uniworld, both collection and offloading are more frequent, given the closer proximity of port.

Food waste is “collected by various companies, while human waste is collected in tanks on board each ship and then disposed of either directly into the city or town sewerage system,” Higgins says. “Otherwise, we have companies that come and collect it from our tanks when this is not possible depending on port facilities.”

As for larger ships like those operated by Virgin Voyages, waste must be discharged a certain distance from shore, or stored in a special recycling center for offloading.

“For our advanced wastewater treatment process, effluent (liquid waste or sewage) is held on board and then discharged at distances greater than three nautical miles from shore,” Dwyer says. “Food waste is either pulverized and discharged (12 nautical miles from shore and at a speed greater than six knots), or it’s stored in our waste recycling center to be offloaded in port.”

Is waste disposal actually sustainable?

The big complaint facing cruise lines is the issue of sustainability. From carbon emissions to how waste impacts the surrounding ecosystem, there are very real concerns about the impact cruises have on the ocean. That’s why environmental regulations are tighter than ever, and cruise lines have implemented strict treatment methods to limit any harm done by waste disposal.

“Our advanced wastewater treatment system is calibrated to meet stringent water quality standards under MARPOL and the US Clean Water Act,” Dwyer says. “Our crew ensures that our vessels are in compliance with the the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and Vessel General Permit, which are monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency.”

What does this actually mean? Well, everything from wastewater treatment methods to offloading strategies that divert waste from landfills.

“Our wastewater is treated by the bacteria within our tanks on board, which forms something we call ‘sludge,’” Higgins says. “We then dispose of this ‘sludge’ responsibly … over the years we have formed a reliable network that allows us to dispose in a responsible manner and not pollute the areas we sail through.”

The most visible part of Virgin Voyages’ sustainability program is its reduction of single-use plastics on board, as well as incorporating more sustainable materials for its passengers. From banning plastic utensils to using reusable food containers in restaurants, the goal is to limit how much non-recyclable waste is even produced in the first place.

“We collect and sort recyclable waste on board, which is then offloaded in our primary ports such as Miami,” Dwyer says. “We also have a recycling takeback program from our beach club operation in Bimini (Bahamas) to limit recyclable materials that would otherwise be sent to the landfill. We also vet the waste providers that we partner with on-shore to ensure waste is handled appropriately.”

In an industry that’s inherently not known for sustainability, it’s clear that cruise lines do all they can to reduce their environmental impact. But is it enough?

The impact of waste disposal on the ocean

While many cruise lines take sustainability seriously and ensure their waste management systems are up to code, that’s not always the case, resulting in harmful pollutants entering the ocean.

“Several cruise ships still use scrubber technology, which discharges a toxic cocktail of petroleum byproducts from ships directly into the ocean with little to no treatment,” Marcie Keever, Oceans Program Director at Friends of the Earth , tells Matador Network . “The ICCT (International Council on Clean Transportation) estimates that in one year, ships worldwide will emit at least 10 gigatons of scrubber wastewater, approximately 15 percent of which comes from the cruise industry.”

She also believes more oversight is needed to ensure the cruise industry’s sustainability standards are as strict as they should be. And indeed, however strict those regulations might be, without proper oversight, the rules themselves (if frequently broken) are irrelevant.

“The cruise industry remains a major contributor to air and ocean pollution, repeatedly failing health compliance and environmental tests,” she claims. “At the federal level, Homeland Security and the EPA provide little regulation enforcement and no oversight on wastewater discharge or public health, even though cruise ships continue to be a major spreader of harmful pathogens like COVID-19.”

Indeed, Carnival was fined in 2019 for dumping waste into the ocean. Apart from ocean water, Keever notes cruise ports themselves are also a serious victim of cruise ship waste.

“One community in Alaska fought hard against the industry after being filled with trash and sewage from ships,” she says. “In addition, carbon emissions from ships harm the places where they dock. Friends of the Earth is working to help ports electrify to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality for surrounding communities.”

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Press Releases

Royal caribbean group transforms waste management in the cruise industry, helping protect the oceans.

MIAMI – July 11, 2023 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is building on its industry-leading waste management practices by introducing the next generation of technology to make its way to the high seas. These tools, from waste-to-energy systems, food waste applications and an expanded network of green hubs, are a result of the cruise company’s relentless drive to deliver the best vacation experiences responsibly.

Debuting this year, on two of the cruise company’s newest ships, will be the cruise industry's first systems to turn solid waste directly into energy on board.

“I am proud of Royal Caribbean Group’s drive to SEA the Future and be better tomorrow than we are today,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Pioneering the first waste-to-energy system on a cruise ship builds on our track record of waste management and furthers our commitment to remove waste from local landfills and deliver great vacation experiences responsibly.” Solid Waste to Energy at Sea The systems, Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis (MAP) and Micro Auto Gasification (MAG), debuting respectively on Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas and Silversea Cruises' Silver Nova , will take waste on board and convert it into synthesis gas (syngas) that the ship can directly use as energy. Much like land-based waste-to-energy facilities, the result is repurposing waste in an efficient and sustainable way. An additional bioproduct of the system, biochar, can also be used as a soil nutrient.

Reducing Food Waste Royal Caribbean Group is also looking at waste management from start to finish, including its plans to reduce food waste across the fleet by 50% by 2025. To do so, the cruise company is implementing initiatives across its brands including:

• Developing a proprietary platform to monitor food supply and accurately estimate how much food should be produced, prepped and ordered on a given day.
• Using artificial intelligence (AI) to adjust food production in real time.
• Introducing a dedicated onboard food waste role to monitor and train crew members.
• Tracking guest demand for specific menu items and adjusting menu preparation and ordering accordingly.
• Partnering with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to introduce a food waste awareness campaign in the crew dining areas fleetwide.

To date, Royal Caribbean Group has achieved a 24% reduction in food waste by focusing on the frontend of the food system, which prevents and addresses many of the main causes of food waste, including inventory management and over-preparing.

Expanding Green Hubs Since the company’s first environmental initiative, Save the Waves, aimed at ensuring no solid waste goes overboard, Royal Caribbean Group has worked diligently to increase accountability and strengthen responsible waste management practices. To do so, it developed Green Hub, a capacity-building program to identify waste vendors in strategic destinations that has helped divert 92% of its waste from landfills. Since its start in 2014, the program has grown to 33 ports worldwide.

Now joining the Green Hub program is the Galapagos Islands, where Silversea became the first operator to gain certification in environmental management by diverting all waste from landfill. Initiatives like this allow Royal Caribbean Group to continue to safeguard the delicate ecosystem of the Galapagos for future generations.

Championing the Environment With a sustainability journey that began over 30 years ago, Royal Caribbean Group has remained steadfast in its commitment to innovate and advance the solutions necessary for a better future. Building on a robust portfolio of technologies that improve energy efficiency, water treatment and waste management, incorporating waste-to-energy systems is an extension of the company's commitment to reach beyond the expected and SEA the Future to sustain the planet, energize the communities in which it operates and accelerate innovation.

To learn more about how Royal Caribbean Group connects people to the world's most beautiful destinations while respecting and protecting ocean communities and ecosystems, visit www.royalcaribbeangroup.com/SEAtheFuture .

Media Contact:

[email protected]

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is one of the leading cruise companies in the world with a global fleet of 64 ships traveling to approximately 1,000 destinations around the world. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner and operator of three award winning cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises and it is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, the brands have an additional 10 ships on order as of March, 31, 2023. Learn more at www.royalcaribbeangroup.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

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Oceana Works To Stop Cruise Ship Pollution

Press Release Date: October 6, 2009

Location: Washington

Anna Baxter | email: [email protected] Anna Baxter

Today, Oceana launches a week-long media tour in three cities – Washington, New York and Boston – to continue raising awareness about cruise ship pollution. The campaign to protect our oceans and stop cruise ship pollution exposes how cruise ships threaten the health of the world’s oceans, including some of the most pristine and delicate parts of our ocean where cruise ships travel.

Cruise ship passengers have suffered from sewage-borne illnesses as reported in recent news reports. Cruise ship companies should take responsibility and stop dumping raw sewage in the ocean.

Thirty thousand (30,000) gallons of sewage are dumped into the oceans every day by an average-sized cruise ship with three thousand (3,000) passengers and crew. Raw, untreated sewage can be dumped in the ocean once a ship is more than three miles off U.S. shores. Inside the three-mile limit, cruise ships can eject “treated” sewage into our oceans. However, no government agency is charged with ensuring that sewage is properly treated and that it won’t harm humans or aquatic life.

Solutions to cruise pollution exist and they work. Installation of these technologies would not significantly raise the cost of a cruise ticket. For example, over a 5 year time frame, sewage treatment technology could be installed for little more than the cost each passenger would pay for a can of soda each day. Learn more about the cruise industry’s 10 year record of environmental violations and fines:

Environmental Fines, 1992-1999 Large Environmental Fines ($100,000+), 1992 – 2002 Violations and Fines in Alaska, 1999 – 2002 Source: Cruise Ship Junkie  www.cruisejunkie.com   More Facts:

Every day 255,000 gallons of gray water, water from laundries, showers, sinks and dishwashers, are poured right into the ocean by a mid-sized cruise ship. Cruise ships are exempt from the discharge permitting program of the nation’s preeminent water pollution control law, the Clean Water Act. On average, a cruise ship generates 15 gallons of toxic chemicals each day. These materials come from on-board dry cleaning and photo-processing facilities, painting and other activities. Seven thousand gallons of oily bilge water are released into the oceans every time the ship empties its bilge tanks. Thirty-three tanker trucks-worth of ballast water per cruise ship, complete with aquatic plants and animals, are taken in by ships in faraway ports and released into U.S. harbors and bays. When the ballast water is released, so too are the non-native plants and animals that were taken up with it. Non-native species can colonize, replace and harm local species. Ballast water can also carry diseases like cholera and paralytic shellfish poisoning into our harbors. A single cruise ship produces smokestack and exhaust emissions equivalent to 12,000 automobiles every day. The average cruise ship produces seven tons of garbage and solid waste every day. Who’s Minding the Cruise Ship Environmental Performance?

Cruise ships are not held to the same important environmental protection standards that apply to cities and industries that produce a similar amount of waste.

The Clean Water Act requires industries and cities to have a permit to treat and discharge wastes. By also requiring monitoring, testing and reporting, these permits help ensure that sewage treatment systems are effective, and that both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the public know how much pollution is actually being discharged. This system also gives citizens the right to sue to enforce provisions of the law when necessary.

Cruise ships, however, are not required to have permits to dump raw sewage into the oceans, and they are not required to test or report what they release. This makes it difficult for the government and the public to know precisely how much pollution is released, and there is no opportunity for citizen enforcement. What Are the Solutions to Cruise Ship Pollution?

A few ships are testing these technologies and proving they work in Alaska, where the state applies the strictest laws in the country. The technology that works in Alaska should be installed on every cruise ship so that they can stop dumping raw sewage in our oceans. So far the cruise industry has refused to do this.

Just installing technology is not enough. The industry has a history of by-passing and disabling pollution control devices, especially oil-water separators. While treatment systems may be installed, there is no guarantee that they are being used. Electronic monitors or on-board observers should be used to make sure that the waste treatment solution is real. ——————————————————————————– For More Information, Contact:

Jackie Savitz Director, Pollution Campaign Phone: (202) 833-3900 Email: [email protected] Mobile: (202) 486-6113

Bianca DeLille Communications Director Phone: (202) 833-3900 Email: [email protected] Mobile: (202) 215-1426

Oceana is a non-profit international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans through policy advocacy, science, law and public education. Founded in 2001, Oceana’s constituency includes members and activists from more than 190 countries and territories who are committed to saving the world’s marine environment. In 2002, the American Oceans Campaign became part of Oceana’s international effort to protect ocean eco-systems and sustain the circle of life. Oceana, headquartered in Washington, D.C., has additional offices in key U.S. coastal areas and will open offices in Latin America and Europe in 2003.

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US cruise ships using Canada as a ‘toilet bowl’ for polluted waste

Lax Canadian regulations create ‘perverse incentive’ for US cruise ships en route to Alaska to discharge toxic mix of chemicals and wastewater off British Columbia, report says

F rom the comfort of cruise ships, a typical trip to Alaska offers magnificent views of glaciers and untamed national parks, and visits to quaint seaside towns. For years, these draws have made cruises to Alaska the most booked US holiday .

But the journey to those pristine areas, which involves sailing along Canada’s west coast for two or three days, is leaving behind a trail of toxic waste, including within marine protected areas (MPAs), according to new research.

More than 31bn litres (8.5bn US gallons) a year of pollution is estimated to be discharged off the west coast of Canada by cruise ships on their way to and from Alaska, according to a report by the environmental organisations Stand.earth and West Coast Environmental Law (WCEL).

“There’s this perverse incentive to treat Canada like a toilet bowl,” says Anna Barford, Canada shipping campaigner at Stand.earth. “They’re just using us like a highway and tossing stuff left, right and centre.”

Across Canada’s 151,019 mile (243,042km) coastline, ships generate 147bn litres of harmful waste each year, equivalent to 59,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to a March 2022 report by WWF-Canada . Based on data from more than 5,000 vessels, the report found cruise ships were the largest polluters, despite making up only 2% of the marine traffic analysed.

Cruise ship pollution includes large volumes of toxic sewage from toilets, greywater from sinks, showers and laundries, and bilge water – the oily liquid that collects at the lowest part of a ship. By far the largest source of pollution identified in the WWF report was from so-called scrubbers – devices installed to remove exhaust gases such as sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide, as well as particulates, from the heavy bunker oil used as marine fuel. The scrubbers create an acidic wastewater containing a cocktail of chemicals .

On a one-week trip to Alaska and back along the Canadian coast, a cruise ship will generate nearly 200m litres of waste from scrubbers, according to the Stand.earth and WCEL report. While ships can decide whether to discharge at sea or within a port, most waste from scrubbers is dumped as it is generated.

Globally, cruise ships have a patchy record of maintaining environmental regulations, including within Alaska , but the Pacific waters off the coast of British Columbia are particularly polluted. This is due to the many cruise ships but also because Canada’s federal dumping regulations are less stringent than the US laws , according to Michael Bissonnette, a lawyer from WCEL, particularly compared with regulations in Washington and Alaska – the two US states at each end of Canada’s west coast.

In Washington, more than 6,000 sq km (2,300 sq miles) of ocean habitat is protected in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound, near the Canadian border, and now classified as a no-discharge zone . Alaska requires cruise ships to apply for and receive permission to discharge sewage and greywater.

These regulations encourage ships “to hold on to their waste when they’re in American waters and then to dump it when they’re in Canadian waters”, Bissonnette says.

In Canadian waters, untreated sewage from cruise ships can legally be dumped outside a 12-nautical mile limit under vessel pollution regulations , which can often overlap into critical habitats . Meanwhile, treated sewage – which includes the waste from toilets and greywater from sinks and laundries – can be discharged three nautical miles from shore.

Sigrid Kuehnemund, vice-president of wildlife and industry at WWF-Canada, says that while each federal MPA has its own regulations, in Canada very few prohibit operational waste discharges – all the waste that accumulates onboard when ships are running. “The regulations that are protecting MPAs at the moment sort of give the shipping industry a free pass, and there aren’t clear regulations that would restrict dumping within those boundaries.”

There are efforts under way to tighten pollution rules. In April, on the eve of the new cruise ship season, the federal government department Transport Canada announced new measures to limit discharges of greywater and sewage from cruise ships operating in Canadian waters.

However, while welcome, the move is not enough, Bissonnette says, noting that the measures are voluntary and do not apply to scrubbers.

When released into the ocean, the wide array of toxic substances pose a significant threat to aquatic wildlife, and the habitat and food webs on which they depend, including threatened populations of sea otters and orcas that live off British Columbia’s coast.

About 10% of scrubber washwater discharged from ships off British Columbia occurred within critical habitats of orcas , according to an analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation. Of particular alarm, says Kuehnemund , is the threat to wildlife in Scott Islands marine national park, a cluster of five islands off the north-western tip of Vancouver Island. This protected area is subject to the highest amount of pollution from cruise ship dumping, according to WWF’s report.

Lying on a busy route for cruise ships, the park holds some of the largest rookeries of Steller sea lions in the world. Each spring, more than 1 million seabirds – including 90% of Canada’s tufted puffins and half of the world’s Cassin’s auklets – breed on the island’s cliffs. Kuehnemund describes the area as “a biodiversity hotspot”.

There is fear in some coastal communities that as cruise ship traffic increases, so too will the threat to their waters. Popular port destinations including Victoria and Seattle have seen protests at the return of cruise ships after the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

The fishing communities of south-east Alaska also complain of dumped waste in their waters bordering Canada, fearing that critical fish species are being exposed to harmful substances.

One fisherman, Mark Severson, recalls in the summer of 2019 sailing through miles of foamy yellow waters in Petersburg, a small island community about 30 miles from the Canadian border and a popular port along the Alaska cruise route. Since then, Severson and his wife, Karen, have been advocating for stronger monitoring of waste dumping on cruise ships.

“The passengers that love the Alaska cruise do not even realise that the ships are polluting our pristine parts of the world,” he says.

With the new pollution measures in place, a spokesperson for Transport Canada said: “Canada is among the countries with the most stringent requirements for these types of discharges in the world.” The department said it recognised concerns regarding scrubber waste in Canadian waters and was working to develop approaches that could reduce discharge.

But Barford argues that only when Canada implements mandatory regulations will the problem of cruise ship pollution be tackled. “It’s a terrible way to say goodbye to a community that you’ve just visited,” she says. “Waving from the back as the ship empties out its tank. This is not something I would want to leave behind.”

• Seascape: the state of our oceans
• Marine life

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The Shipyard

For Those Who Love Ships

• Cruise Ships

How Cruise Ships Work (Part 1): Water and Waste Management

When cruise lines advertise their ships, they usually parade their most exotic travel destinations, their award-winning gourmet restaurants, their luxury cabins and lounge areas, as well as the non-stop entertainment they offer on board. We are rarely shown any photos of the plumbing system, the garbage storage and all the other service facilities that ensure that all that glamour on board stays glamorous.

Have you ever looked at one of those giant cruise ships that accommodate thousands of people and wondered, how on earth does this ship carry water for all of these people? What happens to all the disgusting sewage water? Where does all the stinky garbage go? As always,  The Shipyard  is here to answer.

All This Water and Not a Drop to Drink

The biggest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s  Symphony of the Seas , has a capacity of 6,680 passengers, each of whom uses on average between 200 and 250 liters of water per day. For a ship this size, this is a total of 1.5 million liters of water per day, for the passengers alone. There is no way in the world a ship could store so much water on board for the duration of the journey. So where does the water for the showers, sinks, cooking, etc. come from?

Cruise ships turn sea water to drinking water. Special pumps in the hull suck the raw water in and transfer it to the ship’s desalination plant. The plants are complex systems composed of water storage tanks, pipelines, pressure tanks and pumps. Two main methods are used to create fresh water: reverse osmosis and evaporation.

In the reverse osmosis process, a pump pressurizes the seawater and forces its molecules through a semi-permeable membrane. The result is called pure water permeate. Most dissolved salts, organic compounds, bacteria and suspended solids are larger than the mesh of the membrane and are unable to pass through.

In the alternative purification process, the H2O is evaporated from the seawater in specially designed evaporators, such as the Wärtsilä Serck Como multi-stage flash (MSF) evaporators in the picture below. Heat from the engine’s cooling water (75-95 ° C) is typically used as a source of heat for the evaporation process. The resulting condensate is then processed depending on the intended use.

After the water is desalinated through either evaporation or reverse osmosis, it is further mineralized and disinfected before it can be used as drinking water. Several methods for water disinfection are used on cruise ships including chlorination, ozonation, silver-ion treatment, UV radiation, filtration and heating up.

The resulting fresh water is stored in tanks, which are usually found in the hull of the cruise ships. With the aid of special pumps, the water finally reaches the end user in the bathrooms, laundry, the kitchen, etc. through kilometers of pipes that run through the ship. During the construction of the tanks, particular care is taken to protect the water from contamination. The plants achieve a quality of water that meets the drinking water standard on land.

Going Down the Drain – What Happens to Sewage Water?

Modern day cruise ships can carry several thousands of people who use the showers, toilets, pools and spa areas every day and all this results in astounding amounts of sewage material. Additional waste water is generated by the laundry, kitchen and other servicing facilities on board. Throughout the years, many cruise lines have been accused of dumping their wastewater directly into the ocean, but maritime regulations have changed in the recent past and all modern cruise ships are obliged to have their own wastewater treatment plant on board. To understand how it functions, let’s look at the four main types of wastewater on ships and how each type is processed.

Black Water

Black water is the first and most ghastly category. It refers to highly polluted waste water, containing fecal solids from the toilet system, bacteria, as well as traces of prescribed medications and hormones. To go from gruesome to golden, black water is treated in several steps – mechanically, biologically, as well as chemically. The first step is the mechanical treatment of the water, whereby coarse impurities (particles with a diameter of less than one millimeter) are mechanically filtered out. In the second step, the water goes through biological purification, where microorganisms decompose the organic matter. In the third step, the water runs through filters with extremely fine sifts (0.2 microns) that sort out all microorganisms. The filter membranes are advanced enough, so that no further disinfection of the water is necessary. The final step is nitrogen and phosphorus reduction. After all this treatment, black water may be disposed of overboard, if the ship is more than 12 nautical miles from land.

Grey water refers to most of the sewage on board, for example, from showering, bathing, washing hands, the laundry and the kitchen. Grey water is not as heavily polluted as black water, but still contains considerable amounts of pollutants, such as residues of personal care products, detergents or pharmaceutical products. On most ships it is therefore collected and treated together with the black water. According to current regulations, grey water may be dumped into the ocean 4 nautical miles from land.

Bilge Water

Bilge water may form in the lower part of the ship’s hull, the so-called bilge, for example due to condensate. Cruise ships have their own bilge water treatment system, which separates the gathered water from oil residues. The treatment of bilge water is extremely important, as even a small drop of oil can poison between 600 and 1,000 liters of water. The residues are separated from the water either mechanically, or chemically, and then transferred to special tanks. The separated oil residues are either burned on board or delivered ashore. The wastewater treatment plants on ships create by-products which are dehydrated and dried in a centrifuge. In order to prevent the reproduction of germs and to save space on board, the by-products are burned in an incinerator after they are dried. Once the ship docks, the ashes are disposed of with the remaining waste.

Ballast Water

Ballast water is taken in or expelled by seagoing vessels in order to increase the stability of the ship. The water is stored in appropriate ballast tanks and a quantity of up to 4000 cubic meters (141,258 cubic feet) is needed depending on the size of the ship. When seawater is sucked into the ballast tanks, small marine organisms, such as plankton, also get sucked in. When the ship sails to another location and expels its ballast tanks, these microorganisms are released into a foreign ecosystem, where they can spread rapidly and disrupt the balance of the existing ecosystem. To avoid this, ships are now obliged to filter and disinfect their ballast water through UV electrolysis or chemical treatment.

Where Has All the Garbage Gone?

16 tons of food waste are produced on average each week on a medium-sized cruise ship.

Since storage space on board is limited, a portion of the food leftovers is thrown overboard at the end of each day and ends up as fish food. This practice continues because food waste regulations are not as strict as those for sewage, for example. Despite the fact that food waste is theoretically not toxic to the environment, large quantities of it lead to the overfertilization of the oceans and fast algae growth, which in turn leads to a decrease in oxygen levels in the ocean. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, shredded food garbage may be released three nautical miles away from land. In certain special zones, the regulation states at least twelve nautical miles away from land. These regulations are often criticized for being outdated, as the passenger capacity on cruise ships, and therefore the quantities of garbage produced, has drastically grown in the past decade.

Cardboard, metals and plastics are collected and pressed together by hydraulic garbage compressors. Glass is crushed into small pieces by onboard crushing machines and then filled into large bags, each weighing a whole ton when full. Non-recyclable garbage is burned in incinerators and turned to ashes.

In the ports, the shipping companies then pass on the bundled waste packages to local disposal companies. The Marine Pollution Code of the IMO, states that no vessel or offshore platform may dump ashes from incinerators, oil from the kitchen or plastics into the sea, no matter the distance from land.

Part 2 Coming Soon…

In next week’s post , you can find out how the laundry rooms, the housekeeping, and the kitchens operate aboard a cruise ship.

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Here's how the 'world's largest cruise ship' recycles millions of pounds of water, food and waste

• Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas has a high-tech recycling system.
• The Symphony of the Seas is a 361-meter — nearly 1,200 feet — cruise liner.
• The ship's crew can process up to 13,000 pounds of glass in a week-long cruise.

Cruise ships produce a lot of trash, but there are no garbage trucks to come and pick up waste when they're out at sea. So, where does all the garbage go?

The Symphony of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world. Built-in 2018, the Royal Caribbean ship is 1,188 feet long and weighs a total of 228,081 gross tons, according to the cruise line . 

Waste disposal is a problem cruise lines have been dealing with for years.

Princess Cruise Lines was fined $40 million in 2016 after pleading guilty to seven felony charges for illegally dumping oiled waste into the sea, according to The New York Times .

In 2019, a federal judge ordered Carnival Cruise Lines to pay $20 million in fines for dumping plastic waste into the ocean and other environmental violations, NPR reported .

Cruise lines started designing ways to purify water and handle waste inside their ships.

Stewart Chiron, a cruise ship expert, told Insider that Carnival Cruise Lines issues "really brought the need for better technology so that she ships can operate more efficiently."

"Up until now, the options weren't available," Chiron said.

Cruise ships are notorious for disposing of waste in ways that are hazardous to the environment. In 2019, cruise ships dumped more than 3 million pounds of garbage in Juneau, Alaska, according to Alaska Public Media.

Carnival Cruise Lines' Symphony of the Seas is a "zero landfill ship," which means it uses recycling and water filtration to deal with its own waste.

Alex Mago, environmental officer for the Symphony of the Seas, told Insider that the waste management team separates the ship's trash into recyclables on a lower deck.

The ship's crew is made up of around 2,200 crew members, according to Royal Caribbean .

The ship's crew separates glass into colors and can process up to 13,000 lbs of glass for a week-long cruise.

Each one of the ship's 36 kitchens has a suction drain.

Food waste from Royal Caribbean cruises is dropped no less than 12 miles from land, according to the company's waste management guidelines .

"Food waste produced on board is sent to a pulper and pulverized to less than 25 mm, as per international standards, and discharged no closer than 12 nautical miles from land," the guidelines state.

Food waste is carried through a giant pipe to a food processor at the bottom of the ship, where it is incinerated.

The ship's crew crushes around 528 gallons of water bottles per week.

The ship is dependent on water bottles because cruise ships are not allowed to have water fountains for health and safety reasons. 

Cardboard and aluminum cans are sent through a bailer.

The Symphony of the Seas has two incinerator rooms.

The ship's incinerator room has two incinerators and is manned around the clock by 10 crew members.

Cubes of aluminum trash are stored in a refrigerator to prevent the smell from spreading to other parts of the ship for up to seven days.

Grey water, from sinks, laundries, and drains and black water, from toilets, are mixed together in a water purification system before being dumped back into the sea.

The purification system runs several cleansing processes until the water is above the United States federal standard. 

When the ship docs in Miami, the plastic, paper, and glass are offloaded to go to partner recycling facilities.

According to Royal Caribbean , the company recycled more than 14 billion pounds of waste in 2021.

See more about this story below 

• Main content

6 Ways Cruise Ships are Destroying the Oceans

Cruise ships are a popular way to travel, offering passengers a chance to visit multiple destinations while enjoying luxurious amenities on board.

However, these massive ships have a significant impact on the environment, particularly the oceans they travel through.

In fact, cruise ships are responsible for a wide range of ocean pollution , from wastewater discharge to oil spills.

Before you book your next cruise, read more below to learn about the harsh reality of the cruise ship industry and its impact on our marine environment.

Table of Contents

Direct Discharge of Waste

Cruise ships generate a significant amount of waste, including air emissions, ballast water, wastewater, hazardous waste, and solid waste. One of the most significant ways cruise ships cause ocean pollution is through the direct discharge of waste into the ocean.

According to a study conducted on Southampton, cruise ships can discharge untreated oily bilge water, which can damage marine life and ecosystems. If the separator, which is usually used to extract oil, is faulty or deliberately bypassed, untreated oily bilge water could be discharged directly into the ocean .

Food waste is another type of waste generated by cruise ships, and it can also be discharged directly into the ocean.

While minimal attention is paid to food waste management by many ships and catering typical of cruise liners, it can still have a significant impact on the environment.

The direct discharge of waste from cruise ships can also include untreated wastewater, which can contain pathogens, nutrients, and other contaminants. This wastewater can be harmful to marine life and ecosystems, and it can also contribute to the growth of harmful algal blooms.

To reduce the impact of direct waste discharge, some regulations have been put in place. However, there is still a need for more stringent regulations and enforcement to ensure that cruise ships do not cause further harm to the ocean and its inhabitants.

Air Pollution from Cruise Ships

Cruise ships are one of the major sources of air pollution in the world. The emissions from these ships have a significant impact on the air quality of the surrounding areas, including coastal cities and ports.

Emission of Greenhouse Gases

Cruise ships emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

These gases contribute to global warming and climate change. According to a study published in Science Direct, the emissions from cruise ships in the port of Naples, Italy, impacted the air quality of the surrounding areas.

The study found that while cruise ship emissions were not the sole source of air pollution in the port, they did contribute to the overall levels of pollution.

Release of Sulfur Dioxide

Cruise ships also release sulfur dioxide, a harmful gas that can cause respiratory problems and acid rain. According to a study published in Science Direct, the energy consumption and emissions of air pollutants from ships in harbors in Denmark were measured.

The study found that sulfur dioxide emissions from cruise liners were higher than other types of ships, and the emissions were highest when the ships were docked.

To reduce air pollution from cruise ships, some countries have implemented regulations that require ships to use cleaner fuels and technologies.

For example, in 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) implemented new regulations that require ships to use fuels with a lower sulfur content. While these regulations are a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to reduce the impact of cruise ship emissions on air quality.

Cruise Ships and Oil Spills

Cruise ships are a significant source of oil pollution in the ocean. Accidental oil spills from cruise ships can cause significant harm to marine life and the environment.

According to a study published in the Journal of Marine Pollution Bulletin, cruise ships have the potential to contribute to accidental oil spills due to their large size and the amount of fuel they carry [1] .

One of the main sources of oil pollution in the ocean is from cruise ships. In a study conducted in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, it was found that oil spills from sunken cruise boats were responsible for more than 60% of biodiesel and petroleum diesel spills in the area [2] .

The impact of oil spills from cruise ships can be devastating to marine life and the environment. Oil spills can harm marine mammals , fish, and birds, and can also impact coastal habitats and beaches.

In a study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Pollution Research, it was found that oil spills can cause both short-term and long-term damage to marine ecosystems [3] .

To prevent oil spills from cruise ships, it is essential to have proper regulations and management in place. Alaska’s Commercial Passenger Vessel Compliance Program has been cited as a model for other states to follow.

The program has implemented strict regulations for cruise ships to prevent oil spills and protect the environment [4] .

Impact on Marine Life

Cruise ships are known to cause significant harm to marine life due to their pollution. The following sub-sections describe how noise pollution and destruction of coral reefs are two ways that cruise ships impact marine life.

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution from cruise ships can have a significant impact on marine life, particularly on species that rely on sound for communication, navigation, and hunting.

Noise pollution can cause hearing loss, stress, and behavioral changes in marine animals, which can ultimately lead to decreased reproduction rates and population decline.

Destruction of Coral Reefs

Cruise ships contribute to the destruction of coral reefs in several ways, including anchoring, sewage discharge, and the release of chemicals.

Anchoring can cause physical damage to coral reefs , while sewage discharge and chemical releases can lead to water pollution, which can harm coral and marine life.

In addition, the large amount of waste generated by cruise ships can cause nutrient imbalances in the water, leading to the growth of harmful algae that can suffocate and kill coral reefs.

Cruise Ships and Plastic Pollution

Cruise ships are notorious for generating a significant amount of plastic waste, which is a major contributor to ocean pollution.

Single-use plastics: Cruise ships are known for providing passengers with single-use plastics such as straws, cups, and cutlery. These items are often used once and then discarded, contributing to the plastic waste that ends up in the ocean.

Packaging waste: In addition to single-use plastics, cruise ships generate a significant amount of packaging waste from items such as food and beverage containers, toiletries, and souvenirs.

Improper waste management: Despite regulations and guidelines for waste management, some cruise ships still dispose of plastic waste improperly, either by dumping it into the ocean or by not properly recycling it.

Graywater contamination: Cruise ships generate a significant amount of graywater, which can contain microplastics from sources such as laundry detergents and personal care products. This contaminated water can be discharged into the ocean, contributing to plastic pollution .

Dumping of garbage: Some cruise ships have been caught illegally dumping garbage, including plastic waste, into the ocean. This not only contributes to plastic pollution but also violates international laws and regulations.

Lost or discarded fishing gear: Cruise ships may accidentally or intentionally lose or discard fishing gear, such as nets and lines, which can entangle and harm marine life.

Port pollution: Cruise ships generate plastic waste not only while at sea but also while in port. This can contribute to plastic pollution in the surrounding waters and on nearby beaches .

Sewage Dumping from Cruise Ships

Cruise ships generate a significant amount of sewage waste, which is often disposed of in the ocean.

The untreated sewage contains harmful pathogens and bacteria that can cause health problems for marine life and humans.

Volume of sewage: A single cruise ship can generate up to 1 million gallons of sewage waste per week. This volume of waste can cause significant damage to marine ecosystems if not properly treated and disposed of.

Untreated sewage: Many cruise ships discharge untreated sewage directly into the ocean, which can contain harmful bacteria and pathogens. This untreated sewage can cause health problems for marine life, including fish, dolphins, and whales , and can also pose a risk to humans who come into contact with contaminated water.

Marine life impact: The discharge of sewage waste can have a significant impact on marine life, including coral reefs, fish, and other sea creatures . The high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sewage can cause harmful algal blooms, which can suffocate marine life and cause dead zones in the ocean.

Beach pollution: Sewage waste from cruise ships can wash up on beaches, causing pollution and health risks for beachgoers. The sewage can contain harmful bacteria that can cause skin infections, respiratory problems, and other health issues.

Illegal dumping: Despite regulations prohibiting the discharge of untreated sewage waste within certain distances from shore, some cruise ships continue to illegally dump sewage waste in the ocean. This illegal dumping can cause significant damage to marine ecosystems and pose health risks for humans.

Limited treatment facilities: Many ports of call do not have the necessary treatment facilities to properly treat sewage waste from cruise ships. This can lead to the discharge of untreated sewage waste into the ocean, causing pollution and health risks for marine life and humans.

Inadequate regulations: The regulations governing the disposal of sewage waste from cruise ships are often inadequate, with many countries having no regulations in place to protect marine ecosystems and human health. This lack of regulation can lead to the discharge of untreated sewage waste into the ocean, causing pollution and health risks for marine life and humans.

Cruise ships contribute significantly to ocean pollution through the dumping of sewage waste. It is essential that proper regulations and treatment facilities are put in place to protect marine ecosystems and human health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do cruise ships contribute to ocean pollution.

Cruise ships contribute to ocean pollution in many ways. They generate large amounts of waste, including sewage, gray water, and solid waste, which can contain harmful chemicals and pathogens.

They also emit air pollution, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can harm human health and the environment.

Additionally, cruise ships can damage marine ecosystems through activities such as anchoring, dredging, and discharging ballast water.

What are the main types of pollution caused by ships?

The main types of pollution caused by ships are air pollution, water pollution, and noise pollution. Air pollution is caused by emissions from ship engines and includes sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

Water pollution is caused by discharge of untreated sewage, gray water, and ballast water, which can contain harmful chemicals and pathogens. Noise pollution is caused by ship engines, which can disrupt marine ecosystems and harm marine mammals.

What are some of the environmental impacts of cruise ships?

Cruise ships can have a range of environmental impacts, including damage to marine ecosystems, harm to marine mammals, and contribution to climate change.

They can also affect local air and water quality, and contribute to the spread of invasive species .

What is the impact of cruise ship emissions on air and water quality?

Cruise ship emissions can have a significant impact on air and water quality. Air pollution from ship engines can harm human health and contribute to climate change.

Water pollution from untreated sewage, gray water, and ballast water can harm marine ecosystems and contaminate local water sources.

How can we reduce the pollution caused by cruise ships?

There are several ways to reduce the pollution caused by cruise ships. These include using cleaner fuels, such as liquefied natural gas, improving waste management practices, and implementing technologies that reduce air and water pollution.

Additionally, regulations and policies can be put in place to limit the environmental impacts of cruise ships.

What are the long-term consequences of cruise ship pollution on marine life and ecosystems?

The long-term consequences of cruise ship pollution on marine life and ecosystems can be significant. Pollution can harm marine mammals, disrupt food chains, and damage coral reefs and other sensitive habitats.

Additionally, pollution can contribute to the spread of invasive species, which can have long-term impacts on local ecosystems.

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Cruise ships dump 1 billion gallons of sewage into the ocean every year

This post has been corrected.

Some 20 million people board cruise ships every year. And while they might return to land with fond memories of umbrella drinks and shuffleboard, they leave a lot at sea. About a billion gallons (3.8 billion liters) of sewage  (pdf), in fact.

That’s according to Friends of the Earth, a non-governmental environmental group, which used US Environmental Protection Agency data to calculate arrive at that gross figure. The EPA estimates that single 3,000-person cruise ship pumps 150,000 gallons of sewage—about 10 backyard swimming pools’ worth—into the ocean per week. One vessel in an EPA study produced 74,000 gallons of sewage  (pdf, p.2-1) in a single day.

The sewage dumped into the sea teems with bacteria, heavy metals, pathogens, viruses, pharmaceuticals, and other things that can harm the health of both humans and aquatic life. The best thing to do is to treat sewage and release it in the deep ocean (paywall). If released near coasts, untreated sewage can contaminate seafood, kill marine animals, and sicken swimmers.

A 2011 study of cruise ship discharge in the Caribbean concluded that high risks to human and ecological health accompanies both disposal of waste near land and in shallow waters.

When the cruise industry was small, the ocean could dilute its ejecta. But now the industry is among the fastest-growing segments of leisure tourism, and the total number of passengers has doubled in a decade. To capitalize on this surge, cruise companies are making ships bigger; the largest now carry as many as 8,000.

The industry has also developed wastewater treatment systems, as Brett Jardine, a Cruise Lines International Association general manager, told Marine Executive . But two-fifths of the 167 cruise ships plying the oceans still use 35-year-old waste treatment technology, says Friends of the Earth. And though many US states have laws forbidding discharge in their waters, most coastal communities lack either the laws or the enforcement mechanisms.

Treatment systems don’t do much to filter out nitrogen and phosphorous, rich in sewage, upon which algae feed. Algae can also be present in the shallow waters beyond the 12 nautical miles from shore in which cruise ships are allowed to dispose waste.

The nutrient gush from that discharge feeds the dense blooms that carpet oceans, and strip oxygen from the water, suffocating shellfish, corals, fish, and other marine life. For instance, algal blooms are thought to have killed 150 manatees off Florida’s coast, says FOE. (Note: cruise ships are hardly the only source of coastal sewage pollution, and sewage from coastal development was likely a factor in the manatee die-off.)

FOE gave six cruise lines—Disney, Norwegian, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, and Seabourn Cruises—A grades, and Holland America got a B+. Out of the nine lines remaining, four—Carnival, Silversea, Costa, and Crystal—earned failing grades. FOE failed all of the 16 cruise lines for “Transparency.”

Correction (Dec. 10, 2014, 9am EST): A previous version of this article reported that FOE estimates a billion tons of sewage are dumped per year. The correct unit is gallons.

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How do Cruise Ships Get Rid of Human Waste (the Poop)

Have you ever wondered what happens to human waste on a cruise ship?

Or perhaps been asked by a youngster, “where does poop go on a ship”?

Whatever your age, it’s a question many people wonder about.

Is it just dumped in the ocean, and would that be bad for the environment?

Or is it treated and disposed of responsibly?  

With more and more cruise ships being built and seemingly getting ever larger it is certainly a question worth looking into because the amount of raw sewage produced equates to thousands of tonnes a year.

Some of the modern-day mega-cruise ships, including the largest Royal Caribbean cruise ships, can carry well over 6000 passengers and have over 2000 crew members on board.  The Royal Caribbean Icon class cruise ships will be even larger.

Do Cruise Ship Toilets Drain Into The Ocean?

To prevent pollution of our marine environments, an IMO convention known as Marpol prohibits cruise ships from dumping or draining toilet water into the oceans.

Marpol Annex IV states:

“ the discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited, except when the ship has in operation an approved sewage treatment plant or when the ship is discharging comminuted and disinfected sewage using an approved system at a distance of more than three nautical miles from the nearest land; sewage which is not comminuted or disinfected has to be discharged at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land. “ Source: imo.org

Where Does Waste Water On A Cruise Ship Go?

Wastewater on cruise ships is separated into two categories on a cruise ship gray water and black water.   Toilet water is classed as black water and is treated onboard the ship.  Only when the water is deemed safe is it released into the oceans according to specific guidelines. 

On a cruise ship, these types of wastewater can be collected and stored in ballast tanks before both being treated separately onboard the ship, as we have outlined below.

Gray water is wastewater from

Although gray water doesn’t contain the harmful bacteria that black water does, it does contain a broader range of chemicals.  Think of the laundry detergents, shower gels, shampoos, and sun lotions that people wash off their bodies. 

This is one reason it is not mixed in with the black water because all these different chemicals could negatively affect the early treatment processes using live bacteria, which could be destroyed by unknown contaminants.

Gray water is filtered and discharged in permitted areas away from coastlines.

Sometimes the gray water is added to the final treatment stage of the blackwater when it is chlorinated. 

However, it should be borne in mind that gray water is known to contain large amounts of microplastics, originating in particular from large of amounts of laundry, all the bedding, for instance.

What Do Cruise Ships Do With Sewage?

Cruise ships treat raw sewage, otherwise known as black water, within a sewage plant in the engine rooms. It goes through a process of filtration, aeration, settlement, and sterilization before being safely released back in permitted sea areas.

Black Water

Black water is raw sewage discharge that contains or may have come into contact with some forms of solids (including poop).  It’s mostly water from toilets .

This includes:

• Feces (poop)
• Toilet paper

Black water is dangerous because it contains harmful bacteria and viruses.  It is also toxic due to the chemicals added to toilets and any holding tanks it is stored in.

If just released or dumped into the sea it will be environmentally harmful to marine life and also humans if it washes up upon coastlines.

What Do Cruise Ships Do With Black Water?

Both types of wastewater can be stored separately in ballast tanks in the bottom of the cruise ship’s hull.  

Ballast tanks are used to help support a cruise ship and lower its center of gravity as well as being used for wastewater, they can be used to keep a ship upright in rough seas and are one means to prevent a cruise ship tipping over too far to one side.

Cruise ships have their own sewage works systems down in the engine room areas.

This is where all the collected black water is sent to be filtered and treated so it’s safe and could in theory, be reused.   Much the same as sewage plants work on the land.

It is a 4 step process:

• Screen filtered into a sedimentation chamber (to remove any extra-large objects)
• Aeration – where it’s broken down by aerobic bacteria
• Settlement chamber – where sewage and water separates
• Sterilization – Water is chlorinated and sterilized 

You can see an illustration of the process in the video below:

Although the raw sewage is fully treated onboard and results in clean potable water (drinkable), the water itself is not reused onboard.  It is stored and later discharged in permitted locations.

Any leftover residues will eventually be safely disposed of ashore.  

There are adequate suppliers of fresh water on a cruise ship when it disembarks to last the entire journey and more.  

Carnival “Poop Cruise”

In 2013, a fire broke out in the engine room of Carnival Triumph (renamed Carnival Sunrise).  Although the fire was extinguished, the events that unfolded led to the event being dubbed the now infamous “ Poop Cruise .”

The fire was quickly extinguished by automatic fire prevention systems in place.  However, the event caused a loss of power, and the ship lost propulsion, so the ship was not moving.

Initially, passengers were relieved to be told the fire had been extinguished, and the crew was working in the engine room.

However, passengers soon realized the toilets were not flushing, which is a huge problem on a ship with about 4000+ people onboard.

The solution was to give passengers red plastic bags in which to poop and then leave in the corridors.  

People who needed to urinate were told to pee in the showers.  However, with the cruise ship’s stabilizers not working due to lack of power, the ship rocks from side to side.   This resulted in the sewage overflowing from the showers onto the deck floors.

The whole event lasted five days and was subject to 24/7 news coverage.

Subsequently, this led to Carnival installing backup generator systems on all cruise ships in the fleet in an effort to prevent a disaster like this from ever occurring again on a cruise ship.

Further Reading:

• Why Is a Poop Deck Called a Poop Deck? (True Meaning)
• What do Cruise Ships do with Food Waste? (Is it dumped in the ocean?)
• Do Cruise Ships Dump Trash in the Ocean? (What do they do with the garbage waste?)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cruise ships dump poop in the ocean.

Cruise ships are prohibited from dumping untreated sewage or “poop” into the ocean. Cruise ships are equipped with advanced sewage treatment systems that process black wastewater before it is discharged.

Is The Filtered Water On A Cruise Ship Recycled From Toilet Water?

Filtered water on a cruise ship is not recycled toilet water, or any other water from the ship.  Toilet water is filtered and processed as black water.  Once treated, it is released into the ocean in permitted locations only.

Where Does Toilet Water go on a Cruise?

Toilet water is treated as black water on a cruise ship.  It is initially stored in a ballast tank before being treated via an onboard sewage plant in the ship’s engine room.  Once the water is deemed safe, it is released into permitted ocean areas.

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Is This a Picture of a Cruise Ship Dumping Human Waste Into the Ocean?

Apparently it's difficult to tell the difference between sand, mud, and human excrement from a distance., published feb. 1, 2019.

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An image supposedly showing a cruise ship dumping human waste into the ocean near a coastal city is frequently shared on social media. One popular iteration with more than 30,000 shares was posted by Facebook user Mena Anjos on 19 January 2019 along with the caption (translated via Google) "You know what this is? It's the discharges from the floating cities they call cruise ships":

A number of social media users commented and shared this image with more explicit descriptions of what it supposedly showed:

You know what this is? It's the discharges from the floating cities they call cruise ships...but it’s ok because tourism...looks like terrorism to me... The cruise ship @MSCCrucerosArg discharging its sewers in the port of Punta del Este... This is a cruise ship dumping excrement. You know what this is? It's the discharges from the floating cities they call cruise ships. Disgusting! Boycott until they discharge at port into a waste water treatment facility!

This is a genuine photograph showing two dark, brownish clouds in the waters surrounding a cruise ship, but it doesn't document that ship's dumping human waste into the ocean. Rather, it captures a cruise ship dropping anchor off the coast of Punta del Este, Uraguay.

After this image went viral in January 2019 (along with its unsavory claims about waste and pollution,) Alejandro Nario, Uruguay's National Director of the Environment ( Dinama ), took to Twitter to explain what the photograph actually depicted. According to Nairo, this image captured the cruise ship's starting up its turbines before dropping anchor, and thus the brown clouds visible in the water are sand and mud churned up from the water's bottom, not clouds of human excrement:

Ante consultas recibidas sobre esta imagen, aclaramos: fue tomada en el momento que están acomodando el barco para fondear, las turbinas de arranque producen turbulencia con las hélices, levantando arena y barro del fondo, en una zona de poca profundidad No se trata de efluentes pic.twitter.com/e2LQnTaG5W — Alejandro Nario (@alejandronario) January 11, 2019

How do these cruise ships, which can carry thousands of passengers and crew members on multi-day trips, actually dispose of their waste? A 2017 article from the Telegraph explained:

According to environmental regulatory lead at Royal Caribbean International, Nick Rose, the idea that cruise lines go round dumping stuff in the ocean is just wrong. “Our multi-stage treatment systems exceed the requirements of all international regulations,” he says. This is how it is done. For a start, there’s a lot of liquid to deal with every day. Even with aeration systems designed to reduce the amount of water coming out of bathroom taps and shower heads, the average ship will use average of 40-50 gallons per passenger per day. The “grey water” from galleys, laundries and bathrooms is first mixed in carefully measured proportions with the “black water” lavatory waste before bio reactors deep in the bowels of the ship set to work. There, all the nasty stuff is filtered out and digested by bacteria. The remaining liquid is disinfected by UV radiation rather than chlorine or other chemicals that would themselves be harmful to marine life. At this stage, and having been monitored for any remaining bugs such as faecal coliform, it is discharged into the sea “cleaner than the seawater that it might have started out as before being desalinated,” according to Rose. Because it is so clean, some ports have given approval for it to be discharged closer than the statutory 12 miles from land. About three tons of solids left from the original 1,200 tons of waste per day is incinerated or contained until it can be offloaded.

El Pais .   "¿Qué Son Esas Manchas Que Se Ven Desde lo Alto Alrededor de Los Cruceros en El Este?"     11 January 2019.

Honeywell, John.   "What Happens When You Flush the Loo on a Cruise Ship?"     Telegraph .   1 February 2017.

By Dan Evon

Dan Evon is a former writer for Snopes.

MSC Cruises welcomes the addition of two new environmentally-friendly cruise ships

A s part of efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, MSC Cruises announced that it has completed an order for two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered vessels from French ship builder, Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

The luxury cruise line explained that this will increase its fleet of environmentall y-advanced ships to four, with an option for a fifth as well as World Class 3 and World Class 4 which will be delivered in 2026 and 2027.

The new World Class vessels will feature shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce carbon emissions in port, the most advanced waste water treatment systems designed in line with the IMO, new advances in waste management and a comprehensive range of on-board energy efficient equipment to optimise engine use and hotel energy needs to further reduce emissions.

Currently, MSC World Europa and MSC World America are already the most energy-efficient ships in the industry, performing significantly better than the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirement.

The cruise line said that these new ships will be an evolution of the state-of-the-art World Class prototype, with its innovative solutions that maximise energy efficiency.

It also comes with other technological solutions, which will go a long way in reducing carbon footprint.

MSC Cruises also said that the new ships will be ready for a variety of alternative fuels, including bio and synthetic methane and green methanol It will also be fitted with the next generation dual fuel internal combustion engines with reduced methane slip.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, said they are proud to continue their 20-year partnership with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with whom they have already built 18 ships and with their 19th under construction.

“The World Class is a truly innovative prototype and together we are building some of the most advanced ships in the world. We are committed to researching and investing in future environmental technologies as they become available, to ensure we continue progressing on our decarbonisation journey to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Vago.

Meanwhile, Chantiers de l’Atlantique general manager, Laurent Castaing, thanked MSC Cruises for their support, especially during a challenging time for the European shipbuilding industry.

“We would therefore like to express our gratitude to MSC Cruises for its renewed confidence at this crucial time.

“In addition, MSC Cruises, always seeking to reduce the environmental impact of its ships quickly and significantly, it has accepted a significant cost premium to improve the energy efficiency of these new ships which, according to the IMO’s EEDI index, will emit 50% less CO2 than the IMO’s 2008 benchmark,” said Castaing.

He added that their government’s support has aided their research and development policy which has made ships greener and has enabled them to meet the customer’s expectations.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Want your travel to come with a side of saving the planet? These are the trips for you

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Travel, sadly, hasn’t always had the best reputation when it comes to being environmentally friendly.

Whether it’s the massive carbon outburst caused by flights, wasteful practices in hotels or the ecological impact seen at tourism hotspots, it can be hard to holiday without a sense of guilt.

And with one boat burning as many carbon emissions as 12,000 cars, cruise ships have a bad rep for being toxic.

But, here’s the good news: a number of operators are now cleaning up their act and doing their bit to protect the globe in the hope that travellers can satisfy their wanderlust without sacrificing the environment.

Companies such as AE Expeditions, Majestic, Hurtigruten and MSC Cruises are making inroads to protect the planet with a range of initiatives that have landed them the shortlisted nominations for the Sailawaze Excellence Awards – where you can vote to enter the draw to win a cruise.

Vote for your chance to win a cruise

Do you love cruising? Are you an intrepid traveller? Maybe you just like looking at pictures of luxe ships. No matter which, we want you to vote!

Metro has partnered with the  Sailawaze Excellence Awards , highlighting the very best in cruising when it comes to sustainability, wellness, entertainment and beyond.

And we need YOU to simply select what you’ve been most impressed by.

The best bit? By voting you’ll automatically be in with a chance of winning a cruise for two worth £2,500.

Say bon voyage to the more traditional categories of ‘best large ship’ or ‘best luxury cruise line’ and instead ahoy to innovation, food and drink and showstopping performances.

Vote for your favourite here .

MSC Cruises

Last year, MSC Cruises operated the industry’s first net-zero greenhouse gas emissions voyage from Saint-Nazaire, France to Copenhagen, Denmark . And over the past two years, it launched two Liquefied Natural Gas-powered ships, MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia, which emit far lower levels of pollutants and particulates than traditional heavy fuel oil.

In late 2019, MSC transformed an industrial sand excavation site in the Bahamas into an exclusive private island, progressively rebuilding the marine ecosystem. Sounds like a great spot for a holiday.

AE Expeditions

Fancy a guilt-free trip to the South Pole? Carbon-neutral company AE Expeditions aim to help travellers explore the world’s wildest places – Antarctica , the Arctic and beyond – while reducing their climate impact.

The food on board AE ships claims to be sustainably sourced, with not a fish egg or tuna dish on the menu. The company also supports clean-up initiatives, is in the process of removing all single-use plastic from its boats and partners with conservationists like explorer and oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle in a bid to promote sustainable and responsible travel.

The Majestic Line

Scottish cruisers the Majestic Line take recycling to a new level, with its first ships being rescued from the fishing industry and converted into hospitable and comfortable boats thanks to recycled and reused materials.

Setting sail from the Scottish Isles means you won’t need to take a plane to get there and the company has been assessed by Green Tourism to validate its practices.

Whether reducing paper in the company’s offices, purchasing seasonal and locally-produced food for the boats or reusing uniforms and bedding, the Majestic Line aims to protect the planet while you explore it.

Portsmouth International

Port Britain’s biggest municipal port, which handles millions of customers and items of cargo every year, wants to be net zero by 2030 and zero emission by 2050.

To do this, Portsmouth International Port has become home to an enormous solar canopy array, housing more than 2,660 solar panels, and is introducing an ambitious shore power system across the three busiest berths to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

The other nominations

Food & beverage.

Virgin Voyages

Aqua Expeditions

TUI River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Explora Journeys

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

P&O Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Emerald Cruises

Amawaterways

Swan Hellenic

Princess Cruises

Royal Caribbean

COLLABORATIONS

Ambassador Cruise Line

A-Rosa Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Oceania Cruises

Havila Voyages

Pandaw Expeditions

Holland America Line

CroisiEurope

Hurtigruten

Celebrity Cruises

VIVA Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Saga Cruises

A- Rosa Cruises

ENTERTAINMENT

Marella Cruises

It is also promoting the use of electric/hybrid ferries and has reduced lighting energy usage by 60% with the introduction of LED floodlighting around the port.

Scandinavian operator Hurtigruten supports 41 environmental, cultural and social projects across 11 countries, from helping endangered orcas in the Pacific Northwest and protecting Galápagos seabirds.

Hurtigruten has set up shore-power charge points so ships can ‘plug in’ to green electricity while docked and has three hybrid-powered ships equipped with large battery packs and new energy-efficient engines. It is also replacing plastic with biodegradable alternatives across its fleet.

Your Daily Horoscope

Daily horoscope today: May 15, 2024 astrological predictions for your star sign

So, if you’d like to travel the ocean blue while remaining green, don’t forget to vote.

MORE : Aldi is making a ‘meaningful change’ to this popular everyday essential

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44-Foot Whale Found Dead on Bow of Cruise Ship Coming Into New York

The endangered sei whale, usually found in deep waters, was discovered on the bow of a cruise ship as it arrived at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, marine authorities said.

By Livia Albeck-Ripka

As the cruise ship approached New York on Saturday, it was found to be carrying a grim, and unexpected, catch: The carcass of a 44-foot-long endangered whale, draped across its bow.

The whale, which marine authorities described as a sei whale, is known for its rapid swimming and preference for deep waters, far from the coast. Its body was discovered as the ship neared the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, and the authorities were “immediately notified,” said MSC Cruises, which owns the ship.

A spokeswoman for the company said in an email that it had “comprehensive measures” in place to avoid such collisions, including training deck officers and altering itineraries in certain areas to avoid them. “We will continue to evaluate and update our procedures with our partners and the authorities,” she said.

Marine authorities said that they had towed the animal, estimated to weigh some 50,000 pounds, from the bow, and transferred it by boat to a beach in Sandy Hook, N.J., where they conducted a necropsy on Tuesday.

The investigation is continuing, but preliminary results — broken bones in the whale’s right flipper; tissue trauma along its right shoulder blade; a full stomach and decent layer of blubber — all pointed toward the animal having been in otherwise good health when it was likely struck and killed by the ship, said Robert A. DiGiovanni, the chief scientist of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, which is leading the investigation .

The whale was already “pretty decomposed” by the time scientists began the necropsy, he added, so they worked quickly to collect samples that could be tested for contaminants and other biotoxins that would indicate any other relevant health issues. “It looks like the animal was alive and it was hit by a vessel,” he said, noting that investigators had not ruled out other factors.

Mr. DiGiovanni said that his conservation group, which is federally authorized to respond to marine mammal strandings in New York, had dealt with more than 100 whales over the past several years, many of which had been entangled in nets or struck by vessels. Most of those whales were humpback and North Atlantic right whales, he added, noting that it was more uncommon to come across a sei whale.

Sei whales usually live in subtropical, temperate and subpolar waters and are named after the Norwegian word for pollock, “seje,” because the mammals are often found together with the fish. Their long, sleek bodies are usually dark blue or black with a cream-colored underside, and are often scarred by shark and lamprey bites.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the whales were commercially hunted for their meat and oil, decimating their population, which is now designated as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act .

Mr. DiGiovanni said that the death was a reminder that humans shared the open water with many other mammals. “When you’re out there, these animals might be there,” he said. “We need to make people more aware about how to operate around these animals.”

A spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said by email that mariners along the East Coast were encouraged to slow down their vessels, stay alert, and report any sightings of dead, injured or entangled whales to the authorities.

Livia Albeck-Ripka is a Times reporter based in Los Angeles, covering breaking news, California and other subjects. More about Livia Albeck-Ripka

Cruise ship drags dead whale into New York, prompting investigation

The collision with the 44-foot-long, endangered sei whale could have been avoided, experts said.

A cruise ship arrived in New York Harbor with a dead sei whale pinned to its bow, a revelation that has spawned a federal investigation and has led biologists to examine the whale’s carcass to determine the cause of death.

The MSC Meraviglia was returning Saturday from a Bermuda cruise when it sailed into the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal with the 44-foot-long sei whale affixed to its front. MSC, a Geneva-based cruise line, confirmed the incident “with deep regret” in a statement and said it had immediately notified authorities. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating.

On Wednesday, the whale was towed to Sandy Hook, N.J., for a necropsy. According to NOAA, officials discovered broken bones in the right flipper, tissue trauma in the right shoulder blade region and a belly full of food. Biologists took samples for biotoxin and histopathologic analyses. NOAA spokeswoman Andrea Gomez said the tissue and bone samples can help biologists determine whether the whale died before the collision with the ship or because of it.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society is leading the whale examination. Results from the exam could take days to weeks, said Kathleen Collins, senior marine campaign manager with the International Fund for Animal Welfare .

Based on the findings released so far, Andy Rogan, science manager at Ocean Alliance , a whale research and conservation nonprofit, said the cruise ship probably caused the whale’s demise. If so, it would have been a sudden death.

“Whales are huge animals, but compared to a ship that size, it’s still a massive impact. So much weight and power is hitting that whale,” he said. “It’s almost certain that a ship strike killed that whale.”

According to NOAA, vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are the biggest threats to sei whales, an endangered species that inhabits deeper waters off the coastline. Population figures are elusive, but NOAA documented roughly 6,300 sei whales between Florida and Nova Scotia from 2010 to 2013.

Sei whales are feeding during this time of year, and Collins said the whales eat on the surface, placing them in the potential bull’s eye for collisions with a ship’s bow. She said crew members and passengers might not have felt the bump because of the ship’s size. The MSC Meraviglia weighs 171,598 tons; sei whales weigh up to 50 tons.

“It really is a tragic case where this strike likely happened and everyone was oblivious until they came into port,” Collins said. “They likely don’t even know exactly where they struck the whale, either.”

NOAA urges boaters operating along the East Coast to cruise slowly, stay alert and report any sightings of right whales or dead, injured or entangled whales. In its statement, MSC said it follows comprehensive measures to avoid accidents with marine life, such as training deck officers with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association and adjusting itineraries in regions populated by whales.

Collins said voluntarily reducing vessel speeds can help avoid run-ins. However, she said, cruise ships and large tankers prefer to move briskly because they are on tight schedules.

Macinzie McFarland, a spokesperson for Cruise Lines International Association, said in an email that cruise ships take several measures to protect marine mammals, including whale observation training for crews and reducing vessel speed.

“The chance of mortality with a vessel strike goes down pretty substantially as you reduce the vessel speed,” Collins said.

Cruise lines also rely on technology such as underwater radiated noise management systems and specially designed hulls, propellers and noise suppression devices that minimize underwater vibrations. .

Marine outlets, agencies such as the Coast Guard and the Whale Alert app share information about whale sightings and locations.

Rogan said there is no “silver bullet” for ships to avoid whales, but advances in technology can help lower the threat. He said hydrophones can pick up whale acoustics, information that NOAA could then disseminate to vessels. At a recent workshop, Rogan said, he learned about infrared cameras that can detect whales within a 360-degree range, particularly in front of a vessel.

Rogan urged the public Thursday to share its outrage about the incident with government agencies and with the cruise line. Collins said she hoped the incident would inspire the cruise industry to act as a better steward in the waters it shares with vulnerable marine life.

The MSC Meraviglia, she noted, is headed next to Canada, a critical ground for North Atlantic right whales, including mothers and their newborn calves.

A previous version of this article misstated the maximum weight of sei whales. It is 50 tons, not 10 tons. The article has been corrected.

More cruise news

Living at sea: Travelers on a 9-month world cruise are going viral on social media. For some travelers, not even nine months was enough time on a ship; they sold cars, moved out of their homes and prepared to set sail for three years . That plan fell apart, but a 3.5-year version is waiting in the wings.

Passengers beware: It’s not all buffets and dance contests. Crime data reported by cruise lines show that the number of sex crimes has increased compared to previous years. And though man-overboard cases are rare, they are usually deadly .

The more you know: If you’re cruise-curious, here are six tips from a newcomer. Remember that in most cases, extra fees and add-ons will increase the seemingly cheap price of a sailing. And if you happen to get sick , know what to expect on board.

Watch CBS News

Cruise worker accused of stabbing woman and 2 security guards with scissors on ship headed to Alaska

Updated on: May 8, 2024 / 6:27 AM EDT / CBS/AP

A cruise ship worker from South Africa was arrested Tuesday in Alaska's capital city, accused of attacking a woman and two security guards with scissors on board the vessel, according to authorities.

The U.S. attorney's office says the man, identified as 35-year-old Ntando Sogoni,  is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. Online court records do not show an attorney for the 35-year-old man.

According to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy, the man was recently hired by a cruise line and joined the ship, the Norwegian Encore, in Seattle on Sunday. The ship set off that day for a weeklong trip with scheduled stops in Alaska ports, including the capital of Juneau, and British Columbia.

The alleged incident happened west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, as the ship was sailing to Alaska. According to the affidavit, during the late evening on Sunday, ship personnel saw the man trying to deploy a lifeboat, and he was taken by security to a medical center for an evaluation.

While there, he "became irrational and attempted to leave," and "physically attacked" a guard and a nurse, the affidavit states. He ran into another room, where he grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed a woman who was being examined, as well as two guards who tried to intervene before being subdued and held in a "shipboard jail," the affidavit says. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

The ship arrived in Juneau on Tuesday, when he was arrested by the FBI, the U.S. attorney's office says.

If convicted, Sogoni faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence.

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Carnival Corporation Rolls Out SpaceX’s Innovative Starlink Across Entire Global Fleet, Rivaling the Best Wi-Fi Experiences Available on Land

World's largest cruise company completes expansion of game-changing, high-speed connectivity to 90-plus ships, transforming guest and crew experience.

Installation further advances company’s multi-provider strategy that collectively  quadruples its fleetwide bandwidth overall

MIAMI, May 14, 2024 /3BL/ - Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, today announced that 100% of its ships across the global fleet are equipped with Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency global internet connectivity.

The completed installation further enhances Carnival Corporation’s onboard experience for its guests and crew to provide even faster service, greater capacity, and more reliable Wi-Fi on its fleet of 90-plus ships across its portfolio of world-class cruise brands. The roll-out of Starlink is the latest in a series of innovations and investments from Carnival Corporation that have collectively quadrupled its fleetwide bandwidth since 2019 through its industry-leading connectivity strategy.

The upgrade rivals on-land connectivity experiences, enabling guests and crew to stay connected anywhere in the world, including sharing pictures and videos, scrolling on social media, streaming live content, and working remotely. The added bandwidth also boosts each ship’s operational and communications capabilities with more continuous onboard equipment monitoring and real-time connectivity and data sharing between ship and shore teams, along with the enhanced versatility to more quickly roll out new guest services and features, even while at sea.

“Starlink has been a game-changer for the onboard connectivity experience our cruise lines deliver to their guests, and we’ve already seen a surge in guest satisfaction and positive feedback from the super-fast and reliable Wi-Fi service we provide onboard,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “We see this technology as a win-win-win – it provides our guests with more flexibility to stay as connected as they’d like on vacation, it allows our crew to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, and it enhances our onboard operational systems.”

Carnival Corporation began its fleetwide roll-out of Starlink in December 2022 with Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises ships, before expanding to the company's other world-class cruise brands, which include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

The Starlink expansion further advances the company’s multi-provider strategy to deliver the same reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi service available on land while on board its global fleet of 90+ ships visiting more than 800 ports worldwide. Designed to support a variety of constantly moving vessels that sail all over the world, the company’s system leverages technologies from a diverse range of suppliers and is capable of dynamically routing internet traffic and optimizing network speeds to provide a consistent experience to guests across every brand and itinerary.

About Carnival Corporation & plc   Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.

Additional information can be found on www.carnivalcorp.com , www.aida.de , www.carnival.com , www.costacruise.com , www.cunard.com , www.hollandamerica.com , www.pocruises.com.au , www.pocruises.com , www.princess.com , and www.seabourn.com .

For information on Carnival Corporation’s industry-leading sustainability initiatives, visit www.carnivalsustainability.com .

Carnival Corporation Media Contacts:

Amber Hastings, Carnival Corporation, [email protected]

Lucy Colonnetta Clifton, LDWW, [email protected]

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