The majority of the largest Cruise Lines in the world are pumping more than 1 billion gallons of toxic material into the ocean. This includes incredibly harmful levels of treated sewage, feces, heavy metal, bacteria and other damaging pollutants.
These Cruise Lines rely on waste treatment technology that has been outdated for decades. Their reluctance to adopt environmentally-friendly measures goes beyond the obvious reason of alleged expenses; the fact remains that the entire industry is cowering behind weak regulations that do nothing to ensure the oceans remain as clean as in Cruise brochure photos.
While it's encouraging that a small number is taking steps to become eco-friendly, it's simply not enough. More measures must be taken to outfit old and new Ships with advanced technology to reduce the environmental footprint.
Just like the carbon-fiber Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 were received in a tremendously positive wave of public opinion, so will all Cruise Lines benefit if they make this a top priority.
