In Brittany, France, last weekend, environmental advocates rallied against the increasing number of cruise ship arrivals. The Stop Croisières BZH and Extinction Rebellion factions successfully obstructed a cruise ship from accessing the Finistère port.
Opposers Prevent Upscale Cruise Ship Passengers From Disembarking
A group of demonstrators took to the water to prevent the Seven Seas Voyager from docking. This ship can accommodate nearly 700 guests. Protestors displayed a banner with the message: “We are the iceberg.” The vessel was prevented from ferrying guests ashore.
| “No cruise liners called at Concarneau today. For us, that’s a success because we’re fighting against luxury cruise ships,” expressed one activist. “We believe they are an environmental absurdity and a representation of societal inequality.” |
The previous year, cruise passengers faced criticism while stepping ashore at the adjacent port of Douarnenez. They were met with chants of “you are not welcome” and “shame on you” from those aboard the Atlas Ocean Voyages vessel called ‘World Traveller.’ This vessel resembles a small yacht and can accommodate slightly over 100 guests.
While no arrests have occurred, Douarnenez port has become a focal point for anti-cruise demonstrations. Shore excursions have been canceled or monitored by a police escort in the past.
🔴 We are suffocating, both in the Mediterranean Sea and in our ports, as massive ships pollute our air with impunity! Want this to end? So do I.
Residents of Marseille, let’s mobilize!
Sign the petition by @marseille: https://t.co/8S1sqwDBgS pic.twitter.com/fV3PwWouv4
— Benoît Payan (@BenoitPayan) July 19, 2022
Similar to other European locales, objections are mounting against the unchecked expansion of cruise tourism in France. Mayor of Marseille Benoît Payan has been vocal in his disapproval of large cruise ships, labeling them as “floating cities” that he alleges “emit as much pollution as a million cars.”
A study from 2023 revealed that Marseille and the Channel ferry port of Le Havre ranked among the most polluted ports in Europe.
Anti-cruise Sentiment Spreading Throughout Europe
Prominent tourist destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Venice have implemented measures to control cruise ship traffic. Recently, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis unveiled plans to limit ship visits to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos.
