It was weird sitting in the Minneapolis airport yesterday. There are likely many reasons people would fly from Minneapolis to Vancouver, but I started to sense that most were going for the reason as us. You pick up bits of conversation commenting on past cruises, you caught sight of tags on carryons representing cruise lines, and most seemed about our age and maybe even a little older.
We have always enjoyed and I think benefited from the opportunity to travel and have done so since first leaving college. We traveled with our kids and feel some satisfaction in their own travel adventures. In recent years, we are now 70 plus, we have transitioned to taking a few cruises. We like smaller boats, older people, and emphasis science, history, and culture. A mixed international crowd including the staff is great.
We do have to admit that are issues with cruise ships and although we are aware of these issues will do plan to continue with an occasional trip. Some of these issues have been in the news lately and I past the time doing some additional research to generate the following list.
1. Environmental Impact
Cruise ships are massive polluters. A single large vessel can burn more than 150 tons of fuel a day, releasing greenhouse gases and sulfur oxides equivalent to millions of cars. Waste management is another issue: despite regulations, reports have surfaced of ships dumping sewage and graywater into oceans. Some ecosystems such as the Mediterranean or the Caribbean are more fragile than others. When we went on an Havila Norwegian cruise, we were on a boat that made use of electric power until the batteries were exhausted and then switched to more traditional power.
2. Overtourism and Local Disruption
Cruise ships can carry more than 5,000 passengers, who often disembark en masse at small ports. This issue has recently been in the news with some locations imposing quotas. Many passengers spend only a few hours ashore, contributing little to local economies beyond souvenir shops and tour operators. Residents are left with crowded streets, inflated prices, and a declining quality of life. I remember from a previous trip to Alaska by car visiting Skagway going to sleep in a small hotel in which each room had a door to the outside. We arrived in the evening and there were very few people around and it was very quiet. I walked out the door the next morning to a mob of people. A cruise ship had arrived.
3. Health and Safety Risks
Cruise ships are notorious for outbreaks of illnesses like norovirus and, more recently, COVID-19. This happened to me during our river cruise on the Rhine and we spent a couple of days quarantined in our room. The enclosed environment, shared ventilation, and high passenger density make disease spread more likely. For older adults, who may be more vulnerable to infections and mobility challenges, this is not a minor concern. Moreover, medical care onboard is limited, and in emergencies, evacuation can be complicated.
4. Labor Practices and Hidden Costs
Behind the glitzy entertainment and buffets are thousands of workers, many from developing countries, who endure long hours, low wages, and limited labor protections. While passengers enjoy luxury, crew members often work under harsh conditions. Our experience with those who work the boats have been great and they tend to be positive about the opportunity even though they are away from their homes for month before getting a month of so off.
Sources say river cruises, smaller boats staying longer during stops, and improved propulsion systems are ways to be address some of these issues.
#/media/File%3ASylvan_Lake%2C_SD.jpg){kind=link}