Cruise Ship Social Impact

The social, economic, and ecological impacts of cruise ships.

With an estimated 18 billion dollars in revenue per year, the cruise ship industry is the fastest growing tourism-based industry in the world (Johnson, D., 2002). Although this industry claims to reduce, reuse, research, re-educate, and recycle, there is a growing concern about the impacts of cruise pollution and the social impacts on the local human communities (Dowling, R., 2006). FINISH ON THESIS THAT ORDERS PARAGRAPHS

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When passengers unload from a cruise ship port, there is a large opportunity for economic investment in the host community, but more often, passengers return with an experience of impoverishment and the host community is left underpaid (Dowling,

Sewage, grey water, hazardous waste, solid waste, and oily bilge water are the five most common forms of cruise ship waste. According to the EPA, passengers use less water for sanitary purposes on cruise ships, resulting in more concentrated sewage. The majority of the liquid waste on cruise ships comes from galleys, sinks, and showers (Katsioloudis, P., 2010). After the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution in 1973, all vessels were required to keep waste disposal control equipment on board at all times (Dowling, R., 2006). Despite this wastewater being treated, it can still alter the ecosystem. An algal bloom is the most common effect seen, caused by excess nutrients (Katsioloudis, P., 2010). But, due to the lack of strict regulation in Caribbean waters, these environmental impacts are nearly impossible to monitor (Deidun, A. and Vella, P. 2011). However, solid and hazardous waste are easier to gauge. Much of the trash such as glass and plastic can be recycled at port, but if it is not recycled, it is incinerated and then dumped at sea, contributing to the floating plastic debris that has a serious effect on a wide range of marine organisms. According to the Coast Guard there is more the one million birds and 100,000 marine mammals that die each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic debris. In addition to this waste, industries onboard generate waste from photo shops, print shops, x-ray development, batteries, paint, and solvents. These toxic wastes have been known to cause death and reproductive failure in a number of marine