
Most cruise lines do a poor job of limiting the damage they do to the environment, according to a new study from the environmental-advocacy group Friends of the Earth.
The group graded 16 cruise lines based on how they treat their sewage, the steps they've taken to limit air pollution at ports, whether they follow water-pollution rules in Alaska, and the quality of information they provided about their environmental practices to Friends of the Earth.
Disney Cruise Line was the only cruise line to receive an overall grade above C-. All cruise lines owned by Carnival Corp automatically received failing grades due to their violation of a settlement related to a 2017 conviction for improper waste disposal.
Here's how the 16 cruise lines fared, from best to worst.
16. Disney Cruise Line
Sewage treatment: A
Air-pollution reduction: D+
Water-quality compliance: A
Transparency: A
Criminal violations: No
Overall grade: A-
15. Norwegian Cruise Line
Sewage treatment: A
Air-pollution reduction: D-
Water-quality compliance: A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: No
Overall grade: C-
14. Celebrity Cruises
Sewage treatment: A
Air-pollution reduction: D-
Water-quality compliance: N/A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: No
Overall grade: D+
Tied: 13. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Sewage treatment: C-
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: No
Overall grade: D
Tied: 13. Royal Caribbean International
Sewage treatment: A
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: N/A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: No
Overall grade: D
Tied: 13. Silversea Cruises
Sewage treatment: D
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: No
Overall grade: D
10. Oceania Cruises
Sewage treatment: C-
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: C+
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: No
Overall grade: D-
Tied: 1. Princess Cruises
Sewage treatment: B
Air-pollution reduction: C
Water-quality compliance: A-
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: Yes
Overall grade: F
Tied: 1. Holland America Line
Sewage treatment: B+
Air-pollution reduction: D-
Water-quality compliance: A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: Yes
Overall grade: F
Tied: 1. Seabourn Cruise Line
Sewage treatment: A
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: B+
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: Yes
Overall grade: F
Tied: 1. Cunard Line
Sewage treatment: A
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: N/A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: Yes
Overall grade: F
Tied: 1. Carnival Cruise Line
Sewage treatment: F
Air-pollution reduction: D
Water-quality compliance: A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: Yes
Overall grade: F
Tied: 1. MSC Cruises
Sewage treatment: C-
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: N/A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: No
Overall grade: F
Tied: 1. P&O Cruises
Sewage treatment: D-
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: N/A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: Yes
Overall grade: F
Tied: 1. Costa Cruises
Sewage treatment: F
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: N/A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: Yes
Overall grade: F
Tied: 1. Crystal Cruises
Sewage treatment: F
Air-pollution reduction: F
Water-quality compliance: N/A
Transparency: F
Criminal violations: No
Overall grade: F