The 2024 Cruise Ship Report Card, released by Friends of the Earth, shows troubling results for the cruise industry’s environmental efforts. Five cruise lines owned by Carnival Corporation received failing grades, while eight others scored D’s.
The report, which assessed 21 major cruise lines, awarded its highest grade of B+ to Hurtigruten and Hurtigruten Expeditions, recognising their efforts toward sustainability.
The evaluation examined four environmental factors: sewage treatment, water quality and scrubber use, air pollution reduction, and transparency about environmental practices.
Transparency significantly impacted ratings, with cruise lines fully disclosing their environmental practices receiving A’s in this category.
Those that withheld information, including all Carnival Corporation brands, were given F’s for transparency.
Friends of the Earth noted that the cruise industry generates approximately 1.5 gigatons of toxic exhaust gas scrubber wastewater each year, highlighting the environmental impact of cruising.
The top-performing cruise lines included Hurtigruten, Disney Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Viking.
Hurtigruten, based in Norway, earned A’s for air pollution reduction and is designing the world’s first net-zero cruise ship, Sea Zero.
“Comprehensive evaluations like this are essential for holding our industry accountable, and we are proud to be recognized as the top-ranked operator...
“We don’t claim perfection, but progress.”
Hurtigruten CEO Hedda Felin
Carnival Corporation brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Costa Cruises, ranked poorly across all categories.
Notably, Costa Cruises and P&O Cruises received F’s in three categories and D’s in the fourth, resulting in overall F ratings.
Carnival Cruise Line scored an F in water quality and transparency, a D- in sewage treatment, and a D in air pollution, contributing to its failing grade.
The highest grade among Carnival’s brands was a C- for P&O Australia.
Despite the poor grades, many cruise lines are working to address environmental concerns.
Carnival Corporation has introduced liquefied natural gas (LNG) on some ships to reduce sulphur dioxide and particulate emissions, though Friends of the Earth criticises LNG as a “greenwashing” fuel that still harms the environment.
Some companies, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean, have installed advanced air quality systems to reduce ship exhaust pollution.
Many fleets, such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, are also using advanced waste treatment systems, implementing recycling programmes, and adopting shore power capabilities to minimise emissions while docked.
AIDA Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation, reported a record 1,400 hours of shore power use across 45 European ports in June 2024, showcasing progress in this area.
Friends of the Earth’s annual Cruise Ship Report Card, which began in 2009, evaluates the environmental performance of the cruise industry.
This year’s report assessed 21 cruise lines and 243 ships, providing a critical look at their sustainability practices.
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