"Exploring the World's Largest Cruise Ship: Luxury, Records, and Environmental Impact"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian
The world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, sets sail from Miami amid concerns about its environmental impact despite being touted as the "biggest, baddest ship on the planet." While it runs on liquified natural gas (LNG), critics argue that using LNG is a form of greenwashing as it emits more greenhouse gas emissions overall due to "methane slip." Royal Caribbean defends LNG as a transitional fuel and expresses commitment to alternative energy sources, including fuel cells and shore power. The cruise industry's move towards larger ships and LNG is drawing criticism for its negative impact on the environment and port cities.