An environmental advocacy group has begun a boycott designed to convince Royal Caribbean Cruises of Miami to adopt more stringent wastewater technology and practices.
Oceana says it has more than 30,000 pledges from citizens across the nation, including 3,000 Floridians, who say they won't vacation with the cruise line until it stops dumping what Oceana calls inadequately treated sewage into the ocean. The Washington, D.C., group is aiming for 100,000 signatures.
Oceana spokesman Sam Haswell said the group is targeting Royal Caribbean, which sails from the Port of Tampa about 25 times a year, because it could set an example for the industry as one of the biggest cruise lines.
"It touts itself as an environmental leader in the cruise industry, yet it refuses to take simple and affordable steps to clean up its act," Haswell said. The proposed systems would cost more than $2-million per ship to install, Haswell said.
Oceania can't say how many of those signing its environmental pledge would ever consider paying for a cruise anyway, but Haswell said the group figures everyone is a potential customer for Royal Caribbean.
A report on the company's Web site says it "properly, responsibly and legally disposes of all of its shipboard waste" and its procedures "even exceed those of the Coast Guard." Spokesman Michael Sheehan said Oceana is misrepresenting Royal Caribbean's environmental practices.
"We have met with representatives of the group and tried to educate them about our policies and procedures but have been frustrated by these discussions," Sheehan said. "We would like to resolve our differences."
