Skift Take
The cruise industry has historically benefitted from a consumer base that is broadly forgiving of its environmental missteps. But times are changing.
From an optics point of view, it was striking: The executive committee of the world’s largest cruise company pleaded guilty on June 3 to six counts of violating its probation for environmental crimes. Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald issued an apology to the court on behalf of the company. Although they were required by a judge to be there, the other executives remained silent.
Yet the $20 million settlement is a proverbial drop in the bucket in terms of the value of Carnival Corporation, which posted a 2018 profit of $3.2 billion. It was the third time the company has been convicted for environmental dumping since 1998, according to the Miami Herald. The fine was half of what the cruise company was charged three years ago — which was the largest-ever criminal penalty for intentional vessel pollution.
While the settlement proceedings — during which U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz expressed a desire to detain Carnival's executives and block their vessels from docking in U.S. ports — may have led to some public relations embarrassment, it remains to be seen whether it will result in any lasting change.
Especially in a world where the travel and aviation industries are becoming aware of the business risks of consumers' increased environmental concerns, it’s worth asking whether the cruise industry sees the same risk on the horizon. Carnival, after all, hasn't been the only operator caught polluting. Along with Carnival's Princess Cruises and Holland America ships, one from Norwegian Cruise Line was fined for multiple enviro
