The Secrets of Your Cruise episode saw a reporter go undercover onboard P&O Cruises’ Oceana to investigate the impact that ships could be having on the environment and peoples’ health.

The documentary focused on the levels of “ultra-fine particles” found in the air on and around cruise ships,from the fuel the engines burn, which are thought to “penetrate the deepest into our bodies, to enter the bloodstream and our organs”.

Dispatches claimed to have found 84,000 ultra-fine particulates per cubic centimetre on the deck downwind of and directly next to Oceana’s funnels – reportedly double the amount found in London’s Piccadilly Circus.

The programme also examined more generally the dumping of “grey water” (wastewater) at sea and pollution in ports.

Graham Dullop, director of agency Cruise Club International, told TTG that he had spoken to a number of customers on Tuesday morning “unhappy” with what they had seen.

“Some of my clients thought that cruising was an environmentallyfriendly way of holidaying, so naturally this has caused some concern,” he said but did not believe the investigation would “put customers off” booking cruises.

Andrea Kendal, business and commercial director, Cruise Nation, agreed: “I found the programme quite wishy-washy. None of the results provided were 100% conclusive and it wasn’t clear what they [Dispatches]
were trying to achieve.”

Andrew Earle, owner of Andrew Earle’s Holidays, added: “It [whether cruise companies decide to be more environmentally friendly or not] is not a decision-changer but there’s an opportunity here for companies to reinforce and publicise their environmentally-friendly approach.

“I’ve been on ships where they have described how the water is recycled and disposed of and it’s comforting.”

A spokesperson for P&O Cruises said: “Although a tiny fraction of the global maritime industry, cruise lines are leaders in implementing alternative fuels and emission reduction technology. The industry has invested more than $10 billion in new ships that can use alternative fuels.”

They continued: “After meeting its initial goal a year ahead of schedule, Carnival Corporation [P&O’s parent] has renewed its goal to continue reducing the rate of CO2e emissions by 25% from its 2005 baseline.

“We continue to invest heavily in environmental technology for Oceana and for all ships across the fleet. In keeping with this environmental strategy, exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) will be fitted on Oceana in dry dock later this year. These EGCS will significantly reduce sulphur oxides (SOX), soot and particulate matter.

“We have a new maintenance agreement with marine power expert Wartsila that will ensure that the existing engines are always operating at optimum efficiency.

“The discharge of black water is regulated under Marpol and as you note we exceed this by treating all sewage before discharge and only discharging grey water outside of four nautical miles from shore and in excess of six knots. P&O Cruises fleet operates above and beyond these regulations with a number of ships fitted with Advance Waste Water Treatment systems.”

Cruise Lines International Association (Clia) said in a statement read out on Dispatches: “Clia member cruise lines take great care to ensure that each new generation of ships is more eco-friendly than the previous… alternative fuel orders are in place for 87 cruise ships between 2017 and 2026.”