Food for Thought: Cruising or Losing?

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Lilakoiz

Guest
"Sixty-five percent of the cruise industry's profit comes from the Caribbean, but only 7% of their employees come from the Caribbean, and 1% of the taxes they pay come to the region." Fortune Magazine, March 29 1999

It is known that the North American and U.K. population are the most frequent cruisers in the world accounting for up to 80% of cruise bookings. It is also known that cruise lines constantly adjust their itineraries to cruise passenger demands. From since 911, many cruise passengers did not want to travel with airlines and have taken to closer homeports. As a result, cruise lines have managed to gain from the effects of 911 through investing in the development of cruise terminals in numerous U.S. homeports.

The U.K. cruise lines coming to the caribbean however are much more willing to homeport in the caribbean i.e. the most popular caribbean homeport > Barbados.

Cruise lines have managed to take advantage of many situations including registering in foreign countries to escape income taxes and to escape paying their employees a decent wage. Cruise lines create as much pollution as 20,000+ cars, and they do so mainly in the Caribbean as this is one of the main cruising destinations. What will happen to our beaches after they have exploited the region in order to save a couple hundred thousands by not investing in more efficient environmentally friendly engines?

As someone born and raised in the Caribbean, I feel that our islands are being exploited to an extent. All of local vendors who are trying to benefit from cruise tourism are also being exploited as cruise lines are charging a markup as much as 2/3 of the price on the tours. Do you the cruise passenger think about these consequences everytime you take a cruise?

The purpose of this post is just simply to spread awareness that there are other sides of cruising which some of you on the board may not be thinking about. I would really like your feedback on this issue. And if you have time to go HERE to help my research in this area.
 
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Sheffie

Guest
[quote Lilakoiz]All of local vendors who are trying to benefit from cruise tourism are also being exploited as cruise lines are charging a markup as much as 2/3 of the price on the tours. Do you the cruise passenger think about these consequences everytime you take a cruise?[/quote]

Exploited? I really don't think so since these people have choices as to do it on their own or through the cruise line.

We use local vendors who are not affiliated with the cruise lines. That is one great reason to use the different cruise boards to find out information so that we can get a great excursion for (sometimes) less money (and usually fewer people) than one we would take with the cruiselines vendors.
 
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Granduer Sailer

Guest
I know for a fact that cruise lines are working very hard to find the most environmentally friendly engines around. I think cruises are a great way to see the cultures of the different nations. I personally support the local cultures of every place i visit. Millions of people go on cruises every day and most of them do the same thing I do. We see the local cultures crafts and we support them by buying their crafts, food, etc. If you would only take a cruise, Lilakoiz, you would know the same things we do.




PS: this was not the right post in my opinion to get your name out on Cruise Addicts. ;)
 
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Lilakoiz

Guest
JM,

Thank you for supporting local vendors. When I take my cruise I am sure i will do the same.

As for this not being the right post, my intention was not to talk about cruises for the moment as I am just getting started in the working life and do not have the finances to take a cruise. The objective of this post was to get peoples opinions on this issue.

Im not trashing cruise lines, I brought up a topic to make people think about what they are contributing to that they may not even be aware of. But I guess your right, everyone only wants to hear happy stories.

My excuses for bringing a touch of reality ;)
 
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Granduer Sailer

Guest
Everyone cares about the environment. People go on cruses because they want to have fun. When they are on a cruise they do not want to think about reality.
 
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Kruzr41

Guest
I, along with my fellow passengers, am contributing millions of dollars to local economies that desperately need the help. If that is exploitation, so be it.

Dan
 
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Granduer Sailer

Guest
Thank you for contributing to try to restore the "good name" of cruising to this man. Ive been trying but it hasent worked obvously.
 
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AJ coast

Guest
[quote Lilakoiz]

As someone born and raised in the Caribbean, I feel that our islands are being exploited to an extent. All of local vendors who are trying to benefit from cruise tourism are also being exploited as cruise lines are charging a markup as much as 2/3 of the price on the tours. Do you the cruise passenger think about these consequences everytime you take a cruise?

The purpose of this post is just simply to spread awareness that there are other sides of cruising which some of you on the board may not be thinking about. [/quote]

FIrst of all, salaries of waiters/ stateroom attendants, etc. ON the ships are $50 US a month. THey depend on tips.

Secondly, although one could argue that the islands are being "exploited," we are working in a global economy and a corporation has every right to bringing profit to the islands, which otherwise would remain in desolation.

Thirdly, I do not at all mind paying the huge markup on shore excursions. Booking with the cruise line ensures safety, integrity of tour operators, corporate liability, and peace of mind.
 
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ROSS

Guest
[quote Lilakoiz]"Sixty-five percent of the cruise industry's profit comes from the Caribbean, but only 7% of their employees come from the Caribbean, and 1% of the taxes they pay come to the region." Fortune Magazine, March 29 1999

It is known that the North American and U.K. population are the most frequent cruisers in the world accounting for up to 80% of cruise bookings. It is also known that cruise lines constantly adjust their itineraries to cruise passenger demands. From since 911, many cruise passengers did not want to travel with airlines and have taken to closer homeports. As a result, cruise lines have managed to gain from the effects of 911 through investing in the development of cruise terminals in numerous U.S. homeports.

The U.K. cruise lines coming to the caribbean however are much more willing to homeport in the caribbean i.e. the most popular caribbean homeport > Barbados.

Cruise lines have managed to take advantage of many situations including registering in foreign countries to escape income taxes and to escape paying their employees a decent wage. Cruise lines create as much pollution as 20,000+ cars, and they do so mainly in the Caribbean as this is one of the main cruising destinations. What will happen to our beaches after they have exploited the region in order to save a couple hundred thousands by not investing in more efficient environmentally friendly engines?

As someone born and raised in the Caribbean, I feel that our islands are being exploited to an extent. All of local vendors who are trying to benefit from cruise tourism are also being exploited as cruise lines are charging a markup as much as 2/3 of the price on the tours. Do you the cruise passenger think about these consequences everytime you take a cruise?

The purpose of this post is just simply to spread awareness that there are other sides of cruising which some of you on the board may not be thinking about. I would really like your feedback on this issue. And if you have time to go HERE to help my research in this area.[/quote]

This is a good topic to be discussed. I would dispute the figures from Fortune Magazine: The Caribbean Port Charges on every cruise go towards the Caribbean islands and that is a lot more than 1% of the taxes paid. The port charges are, in effect, a type of tax...every passenger (pax) pays at each island via the port charge.

It is true that the shipping companies have invested in American Home Ports. The sheer numbers of pax and logistics dictate that move as the ships get bigger and bigger...very few locations in the Caribbean could ever accommodate such numbers...not to mention the air traffic. The average air pax numbers in Miami or Fort Lauderdale on a Satureday or Sunday greatly exceed 30,000 per day. If that were to happen in the Caribbean you would have more airplane pollution than in Los Angeles.

Cruise Lines have to register in foreign lands due to the idiotic and antiquated maritime laws in the US and Britain. The wages paid onboard ship are minimal...as the tips provide a very high standard when compared to the annual wages paid in the steward's home country. the ship personnel are also given room, board and medical expenses. If the pay were so lousy no one would want to take the jobs offered onboard the ships. The life at sea has always been a demanding one...but if the system isn't broken...don't try and fix it...it has worked fine for more than 130 years. I have known more waiters, cabin and deck stewards who have worked hard and then managed to go ashore and start their own successful businesses.

"Cruise lines create as much pollutiona as 20,00 cars"...THAT IS NOT TRUE!!! Since the SOLSTACE act more ships have become completely GREEN and are the best examples of pollution free tourism. The extent of the recycling and fresh water treatment are unparalleled in ecology. I should know this as oil pollution is my business. Every major line now carries onboard a staff dedicated to the elimination of pollution. The engines that are being employed onboard the new ships are the most advanced and pollution free ever created...Much cleaner than airplanes.

I will agree that the numbers of pax being carried into various islands has become unmanageable. Nassau looks like a disaster area when they have more than 3 ships arrive in a day. More Cruise lines are investing in private out-islands where they can control arrivals and departures. IMO...cruising is the cleanest, safest and best way to visit the Caribbean. If you look at the numbers...you will see that more ships are now headed for Europe than the Caribbean. When you think about it...Cruising is pretty orderly for an industry that is registered offshore...and I believe the benefits continue to outweigh the negatives. When you look at the Caribbean islands you have to think of the alternatives...no tourism...tourism for the elite...tourism for the masses...Take your pick. Without tourism...the islands would not be able to sustain the populations they now have and the poverty level would be horrendous. There are no easy answers to your questions.
 
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