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How bad are cruise ship emissions?

In terms of carbon dioxide production, each day you spend as an individual passenger on a cruise ship generates approximately 420 kilograms of carbon dioxide per day.



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Cruise ships, huge compared to other vessels, end up burning more heavy fuel oil, one of the dirtiest fossil fuels on the market. This oil contains dangerous levels of sulfur and heavy metals etc. It is estimated that cruise ships use, on average, 150 tons of heavy fuel oil every day.

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A medium-sized cruise ship spews greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 12,000 cars, while environmentalists accuse big industry players of investing little in decarbonization, and of covering up endless delay tactics in a heavy coat of greenwash.

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Taking a seven-day cruise is more than three times as carbon-intensive as flying and staying abroad.

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But just how severe is their impact on the climate? Unfortunately, taking a cruise takes a toll on the planet. Your trip will average anywhere from 700-1000 pounds of carbon emissions a day, which is much higher than flying, driving or a traditional 'land' vacation.

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1. The Norwegian company Hurtigruten. Among the most environmentally sustainable ships are certainly the ships of the Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten. The company has already eliminated heavy fuel oil (HFO) for more than a decade and uses alternative and greener fuels such as marine diesel oil and biofuels.

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During a typical one-week voyage, a large cruise ship (with 3,000 passengers and crew) is estimated to generate 210,000 US gallons (790,000 L) of sewage; 1 million US gallons (3,800 m3) of graywater (wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundries); more than 130 US gallons (490 L) of hazardous wastes; 8 tons of solid ...

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Cruise ships, like any large public space, vary in cleanliness. However, it's important to note that cruise ships are subject to stringent sanitation standards that are regularly monitored and enforced.

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The wastewater that the cruise ship uses is heavily treated. It is either discharged into the water in designated areas of the ocean or released onshore into the local water treatment system.

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Ship exhaust contains harmful constituents, including metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, many of which have toxic, possibly cancer-causing properties, Kennedy said: “It's dangerous it's not a healthy thing for us to be exposed to.”

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Using the associated calculated climate factor of 2.1 (for a 2,000-3,000 passenger ship), we estimate that one individual on a 7-day cruise will have a carbon footprint of 300kg per day if that individual stays in a standard double-occupancy cabin.

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Augment this with no dumping solid waste at sea, (e.g. ground glass, cardboard and packing material, plastic), no discharges of hazardous chemicals or materials of unknown environmental impact (e.g., incinerator ash, sludge from smokestack scrubbers), and on all cruise ships have independent human monitors to observe ...

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Cruise remains an especially appealing vacation option during downturns because of its compelling value proposition relative to land-based alternatives. Also, there is pent-up demand for travel globally which is a powerful tailwind.”

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