Roughly 4.8 million people take a cruise every year.Before the pandemic that number was even higher, sitting at around 30 million passengers.But, as the cruise industry recovers from the devastating consequences of COVID, many ports where these ships drop anchor are re-evaluating their presence.
Some are even hoping to ban them altogether citing environmental, social and economic concerns.So what’s going on in the cruise industry and why are some destinations saying goodbye to these giant floating hotels?During the pandemic, European cities struggling with overtourism experienced what life could be like without cruises.
For some, it triggered attempts to ban or limit the number of ships that call at these ports.In 2021, Venice stopped large cruise ships from anchoring in its historic centre.
Damage to the lagoon saw UNESCO threaten to put the city on its endangered list unless the ships were permanently banned.They argue that the big ships cause pollution and erode the foundations of the city which already suffers from regular flooding.