Why I don't do Disney Cruises

[challer]

Well, to be honest, there are a number of reasons. However, this one happens to be a real sticking point for me.

From AP:

An environmental group released its report card Wednesday on how well cruise ship companies operating in American waters are doing to reduce pollution, and not one received an overall grade of "A."
(...)
The lowest grades --"Fs" -- went to Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International. Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises also scored poorly.
(...)
Carnival and Disney received "Fs" for sewage treatment.

Disney, with two ships and two under construction, could score better on sewage treatment next year because it has promised to make upgrades on all its ships, Keever said.

Check out the article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cruise-lines-graded-on-apf-3757802907.html?x=0&.v=1

I sure hope that the two new ships are being designed to be different and more environmentally responsible. The Disney Company has done a great job in their overall environmental impact, but the Cruise Line has been fairly poor.

 

[FireDancer]

Disney has a pretty good environmental record overall, so I wouldn't say they are completely irresponsible. I am not really a cruise vacation person. I did my first and probably only cruise in May for PCC 1.0 and did have a good time though.

Green-ness isn't really a priority for me so I wouldn't let it keep me from at least trying something I might like. If it is a priority though I could see the article making you hesitant.

 

[kehouse]

Cruise Lines International Association, a group representing 24 cruise lines, castigated the report, calling it arbitrary, "flawed and ignoring the fact that our cruise lines comply with and in most cases exceed all applicable environmental regulations."

"It is regrettable that Friends of the Earth authors such misinformation when in fact this industry has made tremendous progress in the past several years in advancing technology and developing programs that go a long way in protecting the environment," the association said in a statement.

Friends of the Earth graded the cruise lines on three categories: sewage treatment, air pollution reduction and [B]water quality compliance in Alaska [/B]waters. It also issued a simple pass/fail grade for each line's accessiblity to environmental information.



first of all it is unfair to judge disney on how it does in alaska, when they haven't sailed there yet. and i am willing to bet that there is a report somewhere out there that rates disney above others. but i am all for any improvements anyone in the industry can come up with.

 

[BriarRosie]

I find myself very skeptical of groups like these. They aren't an official regulatory agency. Why should we take their findings seriously? Especially telling is that Alaska criteria. Of course Disney would rate poor if they haven't sailed there before.

 

[Decorated_Dust]

Yeah, I'm a little skeptical of these folks, too, even though I respect Chad's intentions. I don't really pay attention to "greenness" when I'm cruising anyway. Technically, the ship's mere presence in the ocean is the worst environmental offense of all, so proper sewage disposal isn't going to change that. If these folks are already destroying the environment, it's not going to hurt if I don't join in (I know, I'm a horrible person).

 

[challer]

Cruise Lines International Association, a group representing 24 cruise lines, castigated the report, calling it arbitrary, "flawed and ignoring the fact that our cruise lines comply with and in most cases exceed all applicable environmental regulations."

"It is regrettable that Friends of the Earth authors such misinformation when in fact this industry has made tremendous progress in the past several years in advancing technology and developing programs that go a long way in protecting the environment," the association said in a statement.

Friends of the Earth graded the cruise lines on three categories: sewage treatment, air pollution reduction and [B]water quality compliance in Alaska [/B]waters. It also issued a simple pass/fail grade for each line's accessiblity to environmental information.



first of all it is unfair to judge disney on how it does in alaska, when they haven't sailed there yet. and i am willing to bet that there is a report somewhere out there that rates disney above others. but i am all for any improvements anyone in the industry can come up with.

Well, they picked Alaska's standard as a measuring stick. I makes no difference if they haven't said there yet because they are still considered one of the worst when stacked up against the other cruise lines.

It wouldn't change my feelings if they used Florida's criteria which has some of the least stringent laws preventing cruise ship pollution and Disney got a "C" compared to everyone else's "A."

When Disney announced its latest company wide environmental goal of reducing its emissions, it was determined that DCL was 50% of its total. Not 50% of the Disney Parks emissions - 50% of the entire company's emissions! Disney is a big company. That's not even talking about water pollution, and that's Disney's own assessment.

DCL (and the Cruise business in general) needs some work, IMHO.

Of course, I wouldn't give anyone else a hard time for hopping on a cruise - it's just my feelings and I thought I'd send out food for thought.

 

[kafitty]

certainly something to think about...

i personally LOVE cruising though, so while this is not going to change that, it will certainly be a consideration when i choose which line to sail next. i'm glad to see my beloved Princess did relatively well!

 

[darrengs]

I find this interesting, but the Friends of Earth web site has no real information in order for me to educate myself on this.

 

[DisneyKevin]

If your concern is the "green-ness" of cruising, then you probably should not cruise.

This can be said of all forms of travel other than hiking or biking and even those can be picked apart. Leisure travel consumes all sorts of things that are bad for the environment,

If that is your concern, then you should probably spend your leisure time recycling.

This report smacks of the one recently where we were all told that we shouldnt install granite counter tops in our home because of the poisonous gasses that would be emitted and kill our families.

This report was scary until you found out that the group that did the "study" was also the group that made Corian counter tops.

 

[KimStaR]

Kevin... are those the same thing as those counter tops you saw that day? What were they called? Okie Chobie? Chumba Wumba? Ooba Tooba? Is Ooba Tooba not environmentally sound?

 

[KimStaR]

Please note: I ment no offense in my post. This was just the first thing that popped into my big ol head. To stay on the "green" topic I like to try to be as green as I can. My biggest pet peeve is drippy faucets or if people don't turn off the faucet all the way. I even shut the water while I am brushing my teeth. I feel that Disney is fairly environmentally concious though. Especially when it comes to wildlife preservation.

 

[challer]

Kevin-

While I'm usually with you 100%, your post rubs me the wrong way.

Yes, I care about the environment, and I stated cruising isn't for me.

I'm in a rush (finishing up work before the holiday), so all I'll say is this:

I do the best I can. Yes, anything can be picked apart, but that doesn't mean one shouldn't try. I could spend the rest of my life locked in a dark room, but since I don't want to do that, I try to make smart decisions and spend my money wisely. While I do take the occasional plane ride, my family has decided to take one non-airport vacation a year. I do drive a car, but I drive a hybrid, and if I can avoid driving, I will. I don't think making decisions to limit the damage on the environment should be belittled because you aren't 100% green & clean. You wouldn't belittle someone who is trying to quit smoking because he/she drinks caffiene and eats fatty food, would you?

I shared my own decision making - I never impose my values system on others. I thought people would be interested in one particular study where DCL was at the bottom. If you have no faith in any study, that's up to you. At least some people are trying to find out more about the details.

For me, the cruising industry is too much of a negative impact on our planet for my hard earned money. That's my opinion. I'm hoping that decision could be respected, as I respect yours. I'd hope that you wouldn't lose respect for me if I decide not to spend my next vacation recycling.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I'll admit the impact on the environment has deterred me from cruising. I have read many reports on how bad the cruising industry is as a whole and although they are slowly improving, I am waiting for it to improve more (no harm in encouraging them to try harder!). Kevin is right that all sorts of leisure travel has an impact on the environment, and I am definitely not going to sit at home, but I am picky and choosy about what I do and how I do it.

I work my butt off at home to do the best I can for the environment- my husband and I are eco-nutty enough to do little things like bring our own travel utensils into the parks so that we don't have to take plastic ones. I was pretty excited to see the SD Wild Animal Park had corn starch utensils at their counter service locations this last weekend

 

[DisneyKevin]

Kevin-

While I'm usually with you 100%, your post rubs me the wrong way.

Yes, I care about the environment, and I stated cruising isn't for me.

I'm in a rush (finishing up work before the holiday), so all I'll say is this:

I do the best I can. Yes, anything can be picked apart, but that doesn't mean one shouldn't try. I could spend the rest of my life locked in a dark room, but since I don't want to do that, I try to make smart decisions and spend my money wisely. While I do take the occasional plane ride, my family has decided to take one non-airport vacation a year. I do drive a car, but I drive a hybrid, and if I can avoid driving, I will. I don't think making decisions to limit the damage on the environment should be belittled because you aren't 100% green & clean. You wouldn't belittle someone who is trying to quit smoking because he/she drinks caffiene and eats fatty food, would you?

I shared my own decision making - I never impose my values system on others. I thought people would be interested in one particular study where DCL was at the bottom. If you have no faith in any study, that's up to you. At least some people are trying to find out more about the details.

For me, the cruising industry is too much of a negative impact on our planet for my hard earned money. That's my opinion. I'm hoping that decision could be respected, as I respect yours. I'd hope that you wouldn't lose respect for me if I decide not to spend my next vacation recycling.

Chad,

Your post rubbed me the wrong way as well.

Your post is entitled "Why I dont do Disney cruises".

I am all for following your conscience and doing what you think is best, but you have chosen to villainize Disney out of a list of supposed offenders.

Have you also chosen to not cruise on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Silversea cruiselines...or is it just Disney that's losing your business.

From what you have just posted....it seems that environmental issues play a part in your decisions. I was simply pointing out that those issues can be found in any form of leisure travel. Where you choose to draw the battle lines is entirely up to you but if impact on the environment is your main concern ....then planning a vacation could be tough.

As for whether I believe this report.....thats irrelevant. I'm certain I can find a report showing that cruiselines are doing a great job of keeping the seas clean. Who is to be believed?

And I apologize if you feel that I was belittling you. I wasnt. I applaud your efforts.

 

[lttlmc3]

I'll admit the impact on the environment has deterred me from cruising. I have read many reports on how bad the cruising industry is as a whole and although they are slowly improving, I am waiting for it to improve more (no harm in encouraging them to try harder!). Kevin is right that all sorts of leisure travel has an impact on the environment, and I am definitely not going to sit at home, but I am picky and choosy about what I do and how I do it.

I work my butt off at home to do the best I can for the environment- my husband and I are eco-nutty enough to do little things like bring our own travel utensils into the parks so that we don't have to take plastic ones. I was pretty excited to see the SD Wild Animal Park had corn starch utensils at their counter service locations this last weekend

Cornstarch utensils? I've never heard of that! What a great idea!

 

[sailors_wfe]

hmm.. I have to wonder if they have ever looked at our military ships LOL.. this brings to mind what my husband's favorite job is on the ship when they are out.... dumping the trash off of the back of the ship LOL.. I'm sure DCL's trash disposal system is better then that

 

[RNtheRN]

It will be 2012 before we get to take our first Disney cruise, so by then I will have waited about six years. They could flush the toilets directly into the ocean and harpoon Willie from the deck....I'm taking my Disney cruise.






I'm really kidding, but I'm gonna get my cruise if its the last thing I do on this earth.

 

[DisneyKevin]

It will be 2012 before we get to take our first Disney cruise, so by then I will have waited about six years. They could flush the toilets directly into the ocean and harpoon Willie from the deck....I'm taking my Disney cruise.






I'm really kidding, but I'm gonna get my cruise if its the last thing I do on this earth.

This made me laugh out loud.

 

[challer]

RNtheRN - and I wouldn't think anything less of you.

Kevin - I specified DCL only because this is the DIS and that's the only cruise I ever had a bit of interest in going on. I haven't been on any other cruise and am not planning on it until the cruising industry changes itself.

I didn't think I was villianizing anyone. Just showing a report that listed DCL as one of the worst - take it or leave it. This report had no effect on my future plans of going on DCL.

If DCL was run on pixie dust generators & Mickey-shaped solar panels and waste was reused to make homes for the homeless, I'd be first on line. Not so for the other cruises. I just care about DCL.

Thus, the title of the thread...

 

[mainegal]

If DCL was run on pixie dust generators & Mickey-shaped solar panels and waste was reused to make homes for the homeless, I'd be first on line. Not so for the other cruises. I just care about DCL.

Now, this, I'd like to see!