Travelers Are Becoming More Environmentally Aware. Has the Cruise Industry Noticed?
Photo Credit: The Carnival Miracle in Alaska. Both Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line have been fined for multiple environmental violations in Alaskan waters. Carnival Cruise
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 dockin
