2019 Cruise Line Report Card Gives Carnival Corp. an “F”
Each year, the Friends of Earth organization completes a cruise ship report card that grades the environmental impact cruise lines have on the ocean and what green initiatives they use to reduce the effect their ships have on our planet. Friends of Earth looked at sewage treatment, air pollution reduction, water quality compliance, and the transparency of 16 major cruise lines and 185 associated cruise ships to evaluate their ecological footprint. Carnival Corp. was the worst offender with seven cruise ships in 2017 and 2018 cited for criminal environmental violations.
This isn’t the first time Carnival Corp. has been found violating international and U.S. environmental laws. The recent citations violated the cruise lines’ criminal probation dating back to 2005. Carnival—and its seven subsidiaries—was ordered to pay $40 million in fines for dumping oily waste illegally into the ocean and obstructing justice. Just this year, the company violated the probation by dumping plastic and wastewater into the sea and exceeding the amount of air pollution allowed within state and federal rules. In June, they were ordered to pay an additional $20 million after admitting guilt.
The 2019 Cruise Line Report Card issued many more “F” grades to cruise lines. The only company to receive an “A-” grade was Disney Cruise Line, which was also the only cruise line to receive an “A” in transparency. All others were issued either “D” or “F” grades.
Cruise lines who received not only an “F” grade but also had criminal violations include:
- Seabourn Cruise Line
- P&O Cruises
- Costa Cruises
- Princess Cruises
- Holland American Line
- Cunard Cruise Line
- Crystal Cruises
- Carnival Cruise Lines
Friends of Earth gathers the data using internet sources, government records, cruise line industry records, and other public sources for cruise ships which carried over 100 passengers. These cruise lines can not only cause environmental harm, but poor maintenance and hiring practices put passengers in danger of severe injury due to unsafe conditions or sexual assault.
John H. (Jack Hickey) – Was a Lawyer for Cruise Lines, Now a Lawyer for You®
Choosing a cruise ship vacation impacts the environment more than many tourists realize. These trips also impact your health and safety while onboard. A cruise trip can quickly turn from fun for the whole family to a nightmarish ordeal of injury, recovery, and lawsuits. Our attorney specializes in cruise ship accidents and sexual assaults on a cruise ship and has helped countless victims pursue compensation and justice. He’s seen the devastation that can happen on these lavish cruise lines and understands firsthand the tactics cruise line lawyers may use to invalidate your claim.
Contact Hickey Law Firm in Miami About Your Cruise Ship Claim
If you or a loved one was injured or hurt in any way while on a cruise, please contact Hickey Law Firm in Miami today at (305) 371-8000 for a FREE case evaluation. We provide legal services to clients throughout the Miami, Florida area, and nationwide.
Attorney John H. (Jack) Hickey and his team handle a wide range of cases, including but not limited to cruise ship accidents, admiralty and maritime accident cases, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, railroad accidents and car accidents. We represent victims from all over the nation, the world and the state of Florida.