Cruising

1. Have you ever been on a cruise?
2. Why are tourists attracted to cruising?
3. What effects do cruise ships have on the environment?
4. Why are some people against going on cruises?

Cruising

Living in

Paradise, or a Nightmare waiting to happen? Some retirees spend more time on water than on land. Cruising becomes an obsession due to the extravagant food, entertainment, and recreation available on board and at port.

Many people are oblivious to the dangers and repercussions of cruising. On a cruise ship there is no embassy and little accountability . Some passengers assume a ship’s flag country will deal with any legal problems. Others believe it depends which water or port you are in when a problem occurs. Whether it’s theft, assault, or food poisoning, most authorities do not want to deal with the legalities of cruisers’ complaints. Crew members often complain of being ill-equipped to ensure the health and safety of so many passengers. The Oasis of the Seas accommodates 7000 people and is often compared to a small city! How much energy does it take to propel a vehicle like this?

Despite climate talks each year, the cruise ship industry continues to thrive. Some cruise lines call themselves “green”. Their brochures promote the use of LED lights and tinted windows in cabins that reduce the need for air conditioning. Nothing is said about pollution. From Mexico to the Mediterranean, beaches are littered with bottles and shoes that cruisers drop or throw carelessly overboard. Did you know that cruise ships can dump untreated sewage and food waste just a few miles from shore?

Only the newest ships have advanced sewage treatment systems. Many cruise ships own or lease private beaches. Families snorkel, sunbathe, and enjoy entertainment along the coast. Little do they know that a few miles away the locals can barely feed their own children. A luxurious cruise line was criticized for docking just outside the devastation after Haiti’s earthquake. The cruise line defended itself saying cruises contribute to the economy.

Some people that live near ports call this a myth. Cruise lines dictate where passengers should visit when at port. They don’t want passengers to feel guilty about eating at the midnight buffet! Some tourists are aware of the surrounding poverty, but choose to turn a blind eye .

Are cruise ships a symbol of human greed? Video footage of the 2012 Costa Concordia accident off the coast of Italy showed a cruise transform from paradise to hell. Passengers were happily watching a magic show just before orders came in to abandon ship. What would you do if there weren’t enough life jackets or rafts in an emergency? Would you fight the man who sat next to you in the dining room moments earlier? Would you give your life vest or seat up to a child?