Disney Cruise Line Fails Pollution Report Card

[TheRustyScupper]

By Mary Pemberton, Associated Press Writer

ANCHORAGE — An environmental group has released its cruise ship report card on just how well cruise ship companies are doing when it comes to pollution.

Friends of the Earth gave its highest mark — a "B"_ to Holland America Line.

Cruise lines were graded in three categories: sewage treatment, air pollution reduction and water quality compliance.

Norwegian and Princess also scored fairly well.

The lowest grades _"Fs" — went to Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International. Celebrity, Carnival and Silversea also scored poorly.

 

[tazdeb]

I'll bet that friends of the earth is some kind of nutty left wing environmental group that wouldn't be happy until all cruise lines were shut down. The Cruise industry has gone overboard to make their ships greener in the last 15 years. For instance they no longer dump thier garbage, recycle extensively, use less fuel, use pod propoltion to stay idle so they dont even drop anchor, etc...while Im sure other improvements could be made I think the cruse industry knows that clean oceans are vital to them staying in buisness, so.... I would think Friends of the Earth has some sort of adgenda, like if every ship got a good grade the need for there organization would be gone and so would there donations....TAZ

 

[Disco]

Make them nuclear powered and they will be far greener then any other cruise line. The new Disney ships are larger than aircraft carriers so it would be a perfect fit. It’s probably the most economical propulsion solution as well.
That would shut those idiots up at Friends of the Earth.

 

[BigGoofy44]

That would shut those idiots up at Friends of the Earth.

No, because then they would just complain about the potential nuclear meltdown and the damage that could cause. I know the likelihood of nuclear meltdowns on one of those things is very small, if at all, but that doesn't stop groups from making waves.

 

[plutospup]

Make them nuclear powered and they will be far greener then any other cruise line. The new Disney ships are larger than aircraft carriers so it would be a perfect fit. It’s probably the most economical propulsion solution as well.
That would shut those idiots up at Friends of the Earth.

Totally agree!!!!!! Nuclear energy is one of the cleanest forms of energy production.

With a nuc powered cruise ship you wouldn't have to worry about fuel/oil surcharges!

 

[Disco]

No, because then they would just complain about the potential nuclear meltdown and the damage that could cause. I know the likelihood of nuclear meltdowns on one of those things is very small, if at all, but that doesn't stop groups from making waves.

True, true... There are a few environmental groups that are pro nuclear but probably not these clowns.
I think there have only been two US nuclear ships lost and I believe both of them were subs. Early cold war 60's technology... I'm not even sure that either sank due to reactor problems? Torpedo accidentally exploding, flushing the toilet too many times, etc...
Meltdowns on ships are pretty much impossible.
Ensign: "Captain, the core's overheating and we don't have anything to cool it down with!"
Captain: "Did you try water?"
Ensign: "Oh yeah, we're in an ocean..."

 

[KYMickey]

Make them nuclear powered and they will be far greener then any other cruise line. The new Disney ships are larger than aircraft carriers so it would be a perfect fit. It’s probably the most economical propulsion solution as well.
That would shut those idiots up at Friends of the Earth.

The only problem is only the Federal gov't can afford to build an aircraft carrier! Have you seen the cost of one of those recently? Disney may have deep pockets but not deep enough to build a cruise ship that its nuclear powered and run it profitably!

 

[plutospup]

The only problem is only the Federal gov't can afford to build an aircraft carrier! Have you seen the cost of one of those recently? Disney may have deep pockets but not deep enough to build a cruise ship that its nuclear powered and run it profitably!

Expensive... yes. However, if there was a sincere push for clean, nuclear energy I am sure government dollars would pour into such a project. Federal dollars are in many U.S. corporations. Why not the cruise industry? Truth is, at this time the U.S. is not promoting nuclear energy, unlike many other European, and other industrialized nations.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I have had the pleasure and priviledge to cruise in Alaska 5 times now. I don't care WHAT any group does or says, the Alaska wilderness deserves 1,000% dedication to continue that prisitine beauty for generations to come to share.

The cruise lines....and everybody should treat it this way.

Disney is not dedicated to doing what they are required by law to accomplish as far as containment of discharge...than hit them with a fine that will drop the DCL grownups to their knees.

Alaska deserves no less.

DCL will be arriving in Alaska soon and I expect EVERYONE to keep a close eye on them....as they do all ships granted the priviledge to sail in these beautiful waters.

 

[Disco]

The only problem is only the Federal gov't can afford to build an aircraft carrier! Have you seen the cost of one of those recently? Disney may have deep pockets but not deep enough to build a cruise ship that its nuclear powered and run it profitably!

Well, warships and commercial ships are two different birds entirely. I'm betting the high cost of a new carrier is mostly due to military grade weaponry, equipment and armour.
A military nuclear reactor is a completely different beast from a commercial one too. They spare no expense in multiple redundancy, compactness, power and longevity.
They also have to be designed to squeeze all that through the Panama canal BTW.
Cruise ships don't need to run at nonstop flag speed while hauling millions of tons of weaponry from the US to the Mediterranean. They would also not be able to power an entire major city after an earthquake.
However, a nuclear powered cruise ship would easily make the money back from its initial investment especially with today’s higher fuel costs.
And it's green too! People just need to get over their hangups. There has not been a single death caused by an accidental radiation release, from a commercial nuclear reactor, in the US. Ever!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Instead of turning this thread into a debate about nuclear energy, how about if we look at the "Cruise Ship Report Card Grades: Cruise Ships on Environmental Impact" summary from Friends of the Earth?

Go to http://www.foe.org/cruisereportcard

Friends of the Earth is an environmental advocacy organization, but it's not a "whacko" or radical organization.

Top-ranked Holland America Line gets "A" for Sewage Treatment and "C-" for Air Pollution Reduction. Their Final Grade is "B+."

Bottom-ranked Disney Cruise Line gets "F" for Sewage Treatment and "F" for Air Pollution Reduction. Their Final Grade is "F."

As long as Friends of the Earth applied the same criteria in measuring all cruise lines' pollution reduction activities, the findings reflect badly on Disney Cruise Line. For a company that proudly boasts of its "Environmentality" initiatives, I would expect to see Disney at the top of the list, not at the bottom.

By the time the Disney Wonder starts to sail in Alaskan waters, Disney will have no choice but to clean up their act. I hope they also take this as a wake-up call for the Disney Magic and the two new ships.

 

[Disco]

Instead of turning this thread into a debate about nuclear energy, how about if we look at the "Cruise Ship Report Card Grades: Cruise Ships on Environmental Impact" summary from Friends of the Earth?

Go to http://www.foe.org/cruisereportcard

Friends of the Earth is an environmental advocacy organization, but it's not a "whacko" or radical organization.

Top-ranked Holland America Line gets "A" for Sewage Treatment and "C-" for Air Pollution Reduction. Their Final Grade is "B+."

Bottom-ranked Disney Cruise Line gets "F" for Sewage Treatment and "F" for Air Pollution Reduction. Their Final Grade is "F."

As long as Friends of the Earth applied the same criteria in measuring all cruise lines' pollution reduction activities, the findings reflect badly on Disney Cruise Line. For a company that proudly boasts of its "Environmentality" initiatives, I would expect to see Disney at the top of the list, not at the bottom.

By the time the Disney Wonder starts to sail in Alaskan waters, Disney will have no choice but to clean up their act. I hope they also take this as a wake-up call for the Disney Magic and the two new ships.

LOL, what is Disney going to do, tell their guests not to use the restrooms so much? Maybe if they don't breathe they'll get a better Air Pollution rating too?
What it comes down to is that newer ships are more efficient and pollute less. There are exceptions to this rule with certain models exceeding others at certain times along with the size of the ship. However, over time the basis is that newer ships are better.
So Disney has already fixed their problem. They have two new state of the art gigantic ships coming on line shortly. They will be much greener.
So what about their older ships? Well it doesn't matter. They either keep em or they sell them to someone else who will still use them and pollution from them will be just as much as a problem as when they were owned by Disney. It's a pointless topic to discuss.
Because of these reasons it leads to the conclusion that Friends of the Earth is either A. A whacko radical organization or B. Friends of the Earth are just trying to draw attention to them selves.
Now what can really be done to improve our environment?
Destroy all the old ships? No, that's not going to happen and be far from practical as everyone needs to get as much return out of a hull as possible. It would also be worse environmentally to dispose of good ships anyway.
Or should we make sure that new ships are built as clean and efficient as possible? Yes, that makes sense.
Now what technology could be used that would make new ships far more efficient and cleaner than what they build today? Why nuclear of course!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

LOL, what is Disney going to do, tell their guests not to use the restrooms so much? Maybe if they don't breathe they'll get a better Air Pollution rating too?
What it comes down to is that newer ships are more efficient and pollute less. There are exceptions to this rule with certain models exceeding others at certain times along with the size of the ship. However, over time the basis is that newer ships are better.
So Disney has already fixed their problem. They have two new state of the art gigantic ships coming on line shortly. They will be much greener.
So what about their older ships? Well it doesn't matter. They either keep em or they sell them to someone else who will still use them and pollution from them will be just as much as a problem as when they were owned by Disney. It's a pointless topic to discuss.
Because of these reasons it leads to the conclusion that Friends of the Earth is either A. A whacko radical organization or B. Friends of the Earth are just trying to draw attention to them selves.
Now what can really be done to improve our environment?
Destroy all the old ships? No, that's not going to happen and be far from practical as everyone needs to get as much return out of a hull as possible. It would also be worse environmentally to dispose of good ships anyway.
Or should we make sure that new ships are built as clean and efficient as possible? Yes, that makes sense.
Now what technology could be used that would make new ships far more efficient and cleaner than what they build today? Why nuclear of course!

Discharge laws have been inforced for many years --- long ago Princess Cruises was videotaped tossing garbage bags off the aft deck of the Island Princess and all heck-doodle broke loose in the industry. That's when all the laws began. So long ago....the ORIGINAL Love Boat was still on the air!

About 12 years ago Royal Caribbean received an $18 million judgement for unlawful discharge of bilge materials.

EVERY cruise ship is equipped with evaporators for waste...it's taken off in large blocks.....glass is recycled, paper is burned. I guarantee Disney ships have every method available to handle waste containment...they just got lazy and sloppy.

It is actually totally fascinating to watch a cruiseship "turnaround" in less than 12 hours.......all the fuel, food, paper products...just imagine how many pallets of BEER or rolls of TP are loaded for a week-long cruise! They drive it onto the ships with forklifts early-early-early in the morning before the departing passengers have woken for their last breakfast.

 

[Disco]

Discharge laws have been inforced for many years --- long ago Princess Cruises was videotaped tossing garbage bags off the aft deck of the Island Princess and all heck-doodle broke loose in the industry. That's when all the laws began. So long ago....the ORIGINAL Love Boat was still on the air!

About 12 years ago Royal Caribbean received an $18 million judgement for unlawful discharge of bilge materials.

EVERY cruise ship is equipped with evaporators for waste...it's taken off in large blocks.....glass is recycled, paper is burned. I guarantee Disney ships have every method available to handle waste containment...they just got lazy and sloppy.

Blah, I hate myself for doing this but I checked out their site. Now they got the attention they were looking for.
They are talking solely about sewage and air pollution. As I expected information was sparse and not very informative.
It looks like they broke down three main methods of sewage treatment and probably applied it to what the lines used as a basis for their scores.
Worse: Cruise ships can use traditional Marine Sanitation Devices (known as Type II MSDs). Although cruise ships can legally use 30yo MSD technology to treat sewage, the U.S. EPA has found that sewage treated with this older technology often contains significant amounts of fecal bacteria, heavy metals, and nutrients in excess of federal water quality standards.
Bad: Cruise ships can use the most advanced sewage treatment technology available—AWTS—which provide better screening, treatment, disinfection, and sludge processing. Even AWTS have trouble removing all dissolved metals and nutrients and can release harmful substances into valuable coastal and marine environments.
Best: The last and most environmentally protective method is for cruise ships to hold treated sewage onboard and not dump near our sensitive coasts and marine protected areas.
So the best method is to haul it back. Of course bringing back sewage doesn't mean it will be processed any better. So this would mean the current Disney ships use the 30yo tech to receive a fail. Again, their newer ships will be using the newer system or hauling it back.
As for air pollution, they have two categories. Plug in at the port or don't plug in at the port.
Fortunately, a few cruise lines have adopted a technology with the potential to greatly reduce dirty air emissions from cruise ships in port. Known as cold ironing, this technology allows cruise ships at dock to plug in to shore side power and receive electricity to operate their refrigeration, cooling, heating, and lighting systems without having to burn dirty fuel in ship engines.
I'm sure power provided mostly by coal plants, with the over 50% transmission loss, to power the ships while they are in port is so much better than the ships burning their "dirty" diesel fuel.
It's the same line of thought when people think about electric cars.
A: "My car is electric so it doesn't pollute."
B: "Were does that electricity come from?"
A: "Umm... the wall?"
Nope super clean coal (at an over 50% transmission loss)! So healthy for the environment. Now if the ship had nuclear engines, they could sell some energy to the city while they are in port and it will be much cleaner energy.

 

[plutospup]

Now if the ship had nuclear engines, they could sell some energy to the city while they are in port and it will be much cleaner energy.

Another way to increase corporate profits!

A few years ago we had the pleasure of spending the week with a DCL officer and his family. It is amazing the lengths that DCL goes to holding trash (separated on board), sewage, and other "pollutants". There is a very limited amount that can be "dumped overboard", and it is specified where it can be released.

While everyone would like to see a "greener" world, please consider that nature does an amazing job of cleaning planet earth. New ships, and improved ways to deal with "pollutants" of course are always looked upon favorably.

 

[WDW Enabler]

Well, warships and commercial ships are two different birds entirely. I'm betting the high cost of a new carrier is mostly due to military grade weaponry, equipment and armour.
A military nuclear reactor is a completely different beast from a commercial one too. They spare no expense in multiple redundancy, compactness, power and longevity.
They also have to be designed to squeeze all that through the Panama canal BTW.
Cruise ships don't need to run at nonstop flag speed while hauling millions of tons of weaponry from the US to the Mediterranean. They would also not be able to power an entire major city after an earthquake.
However, a nuclear powered cruise ship would easily make the money back from its initial investment especially with today’s higher fuel costs.
And it's green too! People just need to get over their hangups. There has not been a single death caused by an accidental radiation release, from a commercial nuclear reactor, in the US. Ever!

I have toagree and disagreer. There were 3 deaths resulting from 3 mile Island
incident. They died because they were rushing away from the Reactor.

True, true... There are a few environmental groups that are pro nuclear but probably not these clowns.
I think there have only been two US nuclear ships lost and I believe both of them were subs. Early cold war 60's technology... I'm not even sure that either sank due to reactor problems? Torpedo accidentally exploding, flushing the toilet too many times, etc...
Meltdowns on ships are pretty much impossible.
Ensign: "Captain, the core's overheating and we don't have anything to cool it down with!"
Captain: "Did you try water?"
Ensign: "Oh yeah, we're in an ocean..."

I am a US Navy Sailor. I work on the chemistry and radiological controls of nuclear power reactors.

The 2 Submarines lost USS Threasher, and the USS Scorpion. Both were lost not due to the power plant but due to other factors. The US Navy still monitors the reactors for signs of release (both by sampling the water/soil and rediation surveys). There is still no sign of any release nor do the experts ever forsee any release. The cores are moderated by water and they are in the middle of the ocean so there is an abundance of moderator available to keep the cores cooled.

Michael

 

[plutospup]

There were 3 deaths resulting from 3 mile Island
incident. They died because they were rushing away from the Reactor.

Sources?

 

[wdwpins]

Is there anything you can do on a cruise that you can't do back on land (besides take longer and spend more $$ to get to a hospital with a medical emergency)?

What does it tell you when the Disney cruise ship is NOT registered in the US?

 

[DC7800]

What does it tell you when the Disney cruise ship is NOT registered in the US?

Well, it immediately tells me the ship wasn't built in the United States, a requirement for a U.S. flagged vessel. Of course, it all comes down to the almighty dollar; U.S. registered ships would carry higher costs than foreign flagged liners.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Well, it immediately tells me the ship wasn't built in the United States, a requirement for a U.S. flagged vessel. Of course, it all comes down to the almighty dollar; U.S. registered ships would carry higher costs than foreign flagged liners.

First 2 DCL ships were built in a very well respected yard in Italy. At the time the construction was followed by Holland American and Princess ships.

VERY FEW cruiselines have ships which will accommodate the restrictions of the Jones Act -- stricter construction rules. Additionally, they have no preference for being a US flag ---- requiring to have staff with green cards. Cruiselines pay their staff which receives tips a heart-stoppingly low wage because they make BUCKETS in gratuitites.

Ships can be repaired in US yards....but rarely are built there. That doesn't mean they are substandard. Actually, these yards overseas have been part of a creative process which brings unique construction techniques which allow cruiselines to continually develop the fabulous ships which are sailing today.

DCL cost the shipyard many millions of dollars because of construction delays (especially with the ships following the 2 DCL ships). They had no interest in building the next two ships....which are also being built outside the US.