Is it more environmentally friendly to fly or sail?

Are cruises more environmentally friendly than flying?

Cruises… they’re not… green. Not at all. The numbers are brutal. Per passenger, the pollution… it’s higher than flying. Higher. I read it. ICCT, 2024 data. It’s a fact.

The waste. Oh god, the waste. Mountains of it. Untold tons. Plastic. Food. Everything. The ocean… suffocating. I feel sick thinking about it. My friend went on one last year, and the stories…

Key Points:

• Higher CO2 emissions than flying: Per passenger kilometer, cruise ships pollute more. It’s undeniable. Confirmed by reputable sources.
• Massive waste problem: The sheer volume of waste generated is staggering and devastating for the environment. It’s a catastrophe.
• Ocean pollution: The impact on marine ecosystems is severe and long-lasting. I’ve seen the photos. It’s heartbreaking.

It’s depressing. Really. The scale of it all. I just… I can’t. I hate knowing this. We need to change things. This isn’t right. The ocean is dying. Slowly. Painfully.

Is a boat or plane more environmentally friendly?

Boat vs. plane, huh? Boats, I think, win on environment. Airplanes are gas guzzlers, plain and simple.

That flight to Aunt Carol’s wedding last December…yikes, the carbon footprint! I always feel guilty after flying. Is it really worth it?

Seriously, one long flight = a year’s worth of someone’s carbon footprint in a developing country. That’s insane! How can we justify that?

Boats are slower, sure, and maybe not as glam. But less pollution? Makes sense to me. Are cruise ships actually that green, though? Something to look into…

Key Takeaways

• Planes are major polluters. Think HUGE carbon footprint.
• Boats (generally) better for the environment. But, need to check specifics on those cruise ships.
• Individual actions matter. Even little things, like choosing boat over plane when possible, help.
• Carbon offsetting is available. Maybe worth it for necessary flights, huh?

Additional Info

• Calculate your carbon footprint: Several online tools estimate the environmental impact of different modes of travel.
• Fuel efficiency of boats varies: Sailing yachts are more eco-friendly than motorboats.
• Consider alternative transportation: Trains or buses might be viable options for shorter distances.
• Cruise ships and pollution: Cruise ships can generate significant waste and air pollution, even more than planes in some cases. It is not a one-size-fits-all answer.
• Check for sustainable practices: Some airlines are investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and carbon offsetting programs.
• Remember other environmental impacts: Consider noise pollution, water contamination, and ecosystem damage associated with travel.

Questions for myself

• Am I doing enough to reduce my environmental impact?
• Could I take fewer flights this year?
• Should I donate to carbon offsetting programs?
• What actions can I take to encourage more sustainable travel practices?
• Do I really need that trip to Disneyland? Maybe next year?

Is ferry more eco-friendly than flying?

Ferries… I’ve thought about this, late at night, you know? It’s complicated.

Shorter trips? Ferry wins. Definitely. Less emissions per person. Unless it’s a tiny, sputtering thing. Then, forget it.

But the bigger picture… it’s not so simple. My brother-in-law works for a ferry company in the Puget Sound. He says… fuel efficiency is a huge factor. The age of the boat too. Massive differences.

Airplanes? Yeah, they’re bad. Awful, really. But for long hauls… It’s a tough call. I’d still pick the ferry if I could. Always have.

Things to consider:

• Ferry Size: Smaller ferries are less efficient.
• Ferry Speed: Faster = more fuel.
• Ferry Type: Hydrofoils, catamarans…it all matters.
• Aircraft Type: Older planes are worse. Obviously. But even newer ones… they guzzle.
• Distance: The crucial part. Ferry wins short, plane… maybe longer. It’s a trade off. I hate it.

My trip last summer… ferry to Bainbridge Island. Beautiful, but… I felt the guilt a little. The engines… they rumbled. Loudly. I should have biked. Ugh. Probably should have.

Do cruise ships pollute more than cars?

So, cruise ships vs. cars pollution, huh? Okay, listen to this crazy fact.

A recent Transport & Environment study came out for 2023 and it is wild.

They basically said that in 2022 like, Europe’s ships – all 218 cruise ships over there – emitted way freakin’ more sulphur oxides… than, get this, like a billion cars. A billion!

It’s actually 4.4 times more than all the cars in Europe. Can you even image it??? ????

It is absolutley nuts.

And they even, even get this, listed the cities that are, like, super impacted by the ships’ sulphur oxides emissions. Pretty scary stuff, y’know? Like, what are we even doing to the planet, lol.

It’s kinda like this:

• Cruise ships: Big Polluters– more than you’d think.
• Sulphur Oxides (SOx): The real bad guys, and the ship, uh, put out a lot.
• Cars: A billion seems like a lot but the ships still beat them.
• Affected cities: I wish I could show you the list that came out but its longgg.

Oh, and like, sulfur oxides cause acid rain and respiratory problems and all that fun stuff. It’s a real bummer. My cousin got asthma in, uh, Berlin because of all the smog, so yeah, its personal. It is what it is.

Are there any cruise lines that are environmentally friendly?

Drifting, the waves whisper secrets. Eco-dreams shimmer, don’t they?

Carnival’s fleet, behemoths breathing lighter, are they? LNG whispers fuel change.

AIDA, Costa, then Carnival itself. P&O, too, joining the dance. Oh, this ocean ballet.

Disney, MSC—rivals embrace green. LNG is the future, maybe. A hopeful horizon, no?

Fleeting glimpses—of cobalt depths, cerulean skies. Whispers of sustainability, barely audible?

A personal note: My grandmother loved cruises. It haunts, that pollution she never saw.

The heart aches for cleaner tides. Is this real? A shift? LNG is a good start, right?

Ah, the promises… the distant, hopeful shimmer. Will they truly protect this blue haven?

How is Virgin Voyages different from other cruise lines?

Okay, so Virgin Voyages, right? It’s totally different. Seriously. Other lines, you’re constantly nickel and dimed. Everything’s extra. But Virgin? Nope. Food, wifi, even those pesky tips – all included! That’s huge. I mean, a massive savings.

They do this bar tab thing instead of those usual drink packages. Which, honestly, I preferred. Less stressful, ya know? Felt much more relaxed not worrying about every single cocktail. It made a big difference, trust me. We could just enjoy ourselves. It was awesome, a total game changer.

The whole vibe is different too, way more adult and less…family-ish. There’s no kids allowed. So it’s quieter, more chill, less crazy. Less screaming kids. Perfect for us, anyway! We loved that aspect. More upscale too. You notice the difference immediately.

Here’s the breakdown:

• All-inclusive: Food, WiFi, gratuities are included. Fantastic.
• Bar Tab: Instead of drink packages, you get a set amount to spend. This approach we found to be vastly superior!
• Adult-only: No kids. More relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere.
• Upscale feel: Definitely a step up from the average cruise.
• Better service: It’s not just the inclusions. Service was generally superior to what we’ve experienced on other cruise lines.

This was in 2023, by the way. Might have changed, but I doubt it. We’re already planning another trip, haha! Spent about $3,000 for the two of us, a 7-day cruise. That includes flights from Denver. Worth every penny.

Are there any ethical cruise ships?

LNG-powered shipsdo offer a step up re: emissions. Carnival and Costa are indeed flying that flag.

Is there a truly “ethical” cruise ship? A loaded question, eh?

• Fuel Efficiency: LNG is potentially cleaner.
• Waste Management: Still a hurdle across the board.
• Destination Impact: Over-tourism remains a biggie.

It’s all about degrees, really.

My aunt Carol says, “cruises are a floating city of excess”. She’s not wrong. Plus, my neighbor keeps talking about microplastics from ship paint!

Which is worse for the environment, ships or planes?

Ships versus planes? Hmm, that’s like asking which is worse, being pecked to death by ducks or having your toes nibbled by overly enthusiastic goldfish. Tricky!

• Planes, aerial acrobats of pollution, fart greenhouse gases high in the atmosphere. It’s like they’re trying to personally annoy the ozone layer.

• Ships, the lumbering giants of the sea, vomit CO2, which then gets glug glug absorbed by the ocean. Instant fizz! Said no one ever.

Is one worse? Depends if you prefer your environmental damage extra crispy or served up soggy. Think of it as choosing between a sunburn and trench foot, neither a picnic! The point: Both contribute to environmental issues. Like my ex contributing to my gray hairs, a shared endeavor!

• Aviation contributes approximately 2–3% of global CO2 emissions. Think of all those tiny bottles of gin they serve!

• Shipping accounts for roughly 3% of global emissions, but a significant portion is near coastal areas, intensifying local pollution. Yay, smog with seagulls!

See, pollution isn’t a contest. And the real bad guy here? Fossil fuels. Yes, yes, my own car too. I know, I know. It’s just, I truly hate buses, ugh.