Cruise ships have doubled in size over the past two decades, a precedent that could lead to even bigger vessels plying our oceans in the future, bringing potential problems, a newly released report has warned.
The largest passenger vessels today are twice as large as they were in 2000, says a study conducted by European clean energy lobby group Transport and Environment (T&E) which warns of the environmental impact of the “rapidly” growing global cruise industry.
The report suggests that the biggest cruise ships setting sail in 2050 could be nearly eight times larger than the infamous Titanic, the largest passenger ship in service when it set sail in 1912 (measuring 269 meters or about 883 feet), if the growth rate continues as it is.
Disney’s Wonder cruise ship and Carnival’s Fantasy taking to the waters in 2004.
Bruce Weaver/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource
“Today’s cruisezillas make the Titanic look like a small fishing boat,” Inesa Ulichina, sustainable shipping officer at T&E, said in a statement.
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“How much bigger can these giants get? The cruise business is the fastest growing tourism sector and its emissions are quickly getting out of control.”
The number of cruise ships in existence has increased by 20-fold from 21 in 1970 to 515 today, according to T&E.
On its launch in 1999, Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, which has a gross tonnage (GT) of 137,276, was the biggest cruise ship in the world.
The cruise line brand’s 1,198-foot Icon of the Seas, which has seven swimming pools and a record-breaking 17,000-square-foot water park, became the world’s biggest cruise ship — with a gross tonnage of 248,663 — when it launched in January 2024.
Passengers leave Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, after arriving at Costa Maya Cruise Port on February 6, 2024.
Paola Chiomante/Reuters via CNN Newsource
But the speed at which the cruising industry has boomed in recent years has come at a price, T&E says in its report.
It notes that CO2 emissions from cruise ships in Europe were almost 20% higher in 2022 than in 2019.
Cruise ships and other maritime vessels are thought to be responsible for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions each year, according to the International Maritime Organization.
While cruise ships are exempt from fuel duties, along with most corporate and consumer taxes, at present, the report points out that a possible 50 euros (about $54) tax on a “typical cruise journey ticket” could potentially bring in 1.6 billion euros (around $1.75 billion) globally.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest cruise industry trade association, has committed its members to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to reducing carbon rates by 40% by 2030 (as compared to 2008 levels).
CNN has asked CLIA for comment on the report and has also reached out to Royal Caribbean Group for comment.
7 tips for avoiding food poisoning while traveling
7 tips for avoiding food poisoning while traveling
Why do we travel? Novelist Gustave Flaubert famously said, “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” Travel journalist Bill Bryson once remarked on his love for the childlike wonder that comes with being in a new country. And Hans Christian Andersen, author of “The Little Mermaid,” simply said, “To travel is to live.”
For many, traveling is an opportunity to leave behind the drudgery of daily life, plunge into an exciting new world, try new things, make new friends, and forge indelible memories. The culinary experience, in particular, is one of the many joys of traveling. From high-end restaurants to street food stalls, every traveler knows the irresistible charm of authentic local cuisine.
However, there’s a flip side to an adventurous palate: One wrong bite can lead to food poisoning, leaving you feeling sick and rushing to the bathroom all day. Rather than avoid the local cuisine completely and risk missing out on experiences that can elevate your trip, it is important to proceed with care and common sense.
To help you make the right choices while dining on vacation, FoodReady consulted health guidelines from various sources and compiled a list of tips for avoiding food poisoning while traveling.
Shutterstock // Maridav
Wash hands with soap and water
Handwashing is one of the easiest ways to avoid getting sick while you’re traveling. You should always wash your hands with soap and water before eating. Follow the recommended guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by washing your hands with enough soap to cover all surfaces for about one minute. Try humming “Happy Birthday” twice to get the timing right. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
Shutetrstock // Maridav
Avoid ice in places with unsafe water
Different countries have varying standards for tap water. Many travelers know to avoid tap water if it’s not made for drinking, but you might overlook that rule of thumb when it comes to ice. If you’re unsure where the ice comes from, steer clear of iced drinks, which likely contain ice cubes made from tap water. Tap water can sometimes get contaminated with harmful substances that might make you sick. If you’re craving an iced drink, put bottled water in the fridge or fill an ice tray with disinfected or filtered water instead.
Shuttetrstock // BLACKDAY
Limit raw food consumption
Want to try a piece of sashimi or raw milk cheese on your trip? Better think twice. Raw food, whether it’s uncooked or unpasteurized, is always risky. Cooking food at high temperatures can kill germs while raw or undercooked food can get exposed to pathogens, like salmonella or E. coli. Even finely shredded salads or precut fruits can get contaminated during preparation. The best solution is to peel your fruits and vegetables or avoid raw food altogether.
Shuttetrstock // Rawpixel.com
Pack some loperamide
Nothing can ruin a vacation quite like an upset stomach. Traveler’s diarrhea is among the most common travel-related illnesses. Luckily, there is relief in the form of loperamide, a medicine used to treat diarrhea by slowing down movement in the intestines. It can alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency of trips to the bathroom. Pack it with you or keep the name in mind in case you or a fellow traveler need to request a prescription from a doctor at your destination.
Shuttetrstock // Gorodenkoff
Stick to the 2-hour rule
Thinking about enjoying a picnic or a buffet spread on your trip? Sounds dreamy, except that when food is left out for too long, it can go bad. The best way to avoid food poisoning while traveling is to stick with the two-hour rule. When food is left out for more than two hours, guidelines suggest it is no longer safe to eat. This is especially true for perishables like meat, dairy, cut fruit, and seafood. If the temperature outside is above 90 F (around 32 C), food needs to be tossed within one hour.
Shuttetrstock // View Apart
Be cautious about dairy products
Milk, yogurt, and cheesecakes are delicious, sure, but with more live bacteria than most perishable foods, they could make you sick. Check the expiry date before consuming any dairy products and opt for the pasteurized variety in sealed packages. Dairy products like milk are pasteurized when they are heated to high temperatures to kill harmful bacteria. Ice cream can also be a one-way ticket to an upset stomach if contaminated or refrozen, so check the package before taking a chilling bite!
Shuttetrstock // BAZA Production
Disinfect your water
Finally, stay hydrated, but make sure the water you drink is clean. There are several ways to treat water while you are on vacation. Disinfect tap water by boiling, filtering, or chemically treating it. Boiling is the best method since it can kill viruses, bacteria, and parasites, whereas most portable water filters can only filter out parasites. Bring the water to a full roiling boil for at least one minute. If boiling is not an option, opt for bottled water from a reliable source.
By sticking to a few cardinal rules, you can enjoy the sights and delights of the world—rather than the tiles of your hotel bathroom—on your travels.
Story editing by Zeynep Güler-Tuck. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.
This story originally appeared on FoodReady and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Shuttetrstock // Jason Stitt
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Publish date : 2024-08-08 07:34:00
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