Environmental group, Friends of the Earth have just published a report card on the environmental impact of ten of the world’s largest cruise lines. The report card looks at three categories: water quality compliance in Alaskan waters, air pollution reduction and sewage treatment technology. The results suggest that in some cases taking a cruise could be more detrimental to the environment than many other popular forms of travel.

Friends of the Earth Clean Vessels Campaign Director, Marcie Keever points out that passengers on board cruise ships are often sold their holidays through advertising which pushes images of unspoiled scenery, abundant wildlife and clear blue water, images that do not necessarily paint the correct picture of those destinations once the giant cruise ship has passed through. The report was published to give passengers the ability to make independent choices.

The findings have angered the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) who claim that Friends of the Earth have based their report on their own inaccurate findings and criteria. The CLIA have pointed out that the organization has failed to take into account elements such as facts, the law and science. They go onto say that most cruise companies around the world often exceed guidelines set out by regulatory bodies. Defending accusations of poor water treatment the CLIA said that many liners produce cleaner effluent than many cities. They also say that it is pointless to give a bad grade to a ship because it doesn’t use shore based power supplies when docked as those power sources are currently only available at five ports throughout the whole of North America.

Friends of the Earth ranked Norwegian and Princess and Holland America as the best and Disney, Royal Caribbean and Carnival as the worst performers.