Isabella Feraca
As more people choose to live aboard cruise ships full-time, awareness grows of the lifestyle’s strong negative effect on the environment.
Carnival Freedom cruise ship. Rapidfire. CC BY 3.0
Once reserved for retirees and the ultra-wealthy, living aboard cruise ships is becoming an increasingly popular option among a wider group of people seeking adventure, community and comfort. While it may seem like an unusual choice, many point to the money-saving bundles as justification and encouragement. The convenience and novelty are enticing, but the lifestyle’s environmental impact is hard to ignore. For years, cruise ships have been criticized for their catastrophic emissions and waste. At first glance, it might seem that this lifestyle could offset the carbon footprint that comes with living on land, as well as driving and flying on it, but science actually points to the opposite. In fact, studies show that cruise ships produce more emissions than other forms of travel, raising important questions about the implications of life at sea.
Two years ago, the pioneering Life at Sea Cruises launched the first three-year all-inclusive cruise ship. For just $83 a day, each passenger will get to see 135 countries, with food, amenities, laundry and wifi included. For many who have chosen to embark on this lifestyle change, the cost is the clincher. Avoiding payments like rent and utilities, more people are choosing to book back-to-back long-haul cruises like this one, indulging in life at sea after retiring, or often by utilizing the freedom that remote work affords. For those who are really committed, some cruise lines even offer permanent condos aboard for purchase.
One of the most notable pioneers of this lifestyle is Mario Salcedo, who has spent the last 25 years of his life living aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships. After quitting his job and moving out to sea, he finds it to be a cheaper way of life than on land, where stable living would see him having a mortgage to pay off in an increasingly expensive housing market. He has also racked up milestone points from all his years at sea and enjoys even more cost-effective benefits from it. Clearly, he does not regret his decision, and he is no longer an outlier as more and more follow suit. But with the growth of this trend, questions have arisen over the environmental cost of this lifestyle.
The overwhelming consensus right now is that cruise ships have a substantial negative environmental impact. Their greenhouse gas emissions are equal to those of 12,000 cars. While some might argue that foregoing land travel in favor of a strict life at sea might balance that impact out, studies show that ships actually emit more carbon per passenger than planes. These facts are nothing new, though, and people have been protesting the use of these large cruise ships for years. As a result, some companies have begun to roll out green cruise ships, which are meant to be more sustainable, as they are powered by liquified natural gas. However, some environmental organizations have also protested the use of this alternative, noting that it leaks methane into the atmosphere.
While the idea of living on a cruise ship might sound like a dream and even a practical idea for many, their environmental impact takes away from the fantasy. Cruise ships are among the most polluting forms of travel, and devoting one's life entirely to them will not curb these effects. So while it might offer freedom, adventure and cost-effectiveness, one must consider if these benefits outweigh the potential damage.
Isabella Feraca
Isabella is a junior at Carnegie Mellon University studying professional writing and music technology. In her free time, she can be found reading, making music, and playing shows with her band around Pittsburgh.