I would consider it forwarning of things to come if we don’t invest more in renewal technology and cut down on our addiction to private transport. Those fossil fuels will not last for ever and increasing scarcity will be very difficult for people if we don’t sort ourselves out.
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The disruption must be very annoying and even damaging to those directly affected. But they’re doing it to keep the spotlight on an industry that has been, continues to be, and seems to be projected to remain, catastrophically destructive to the planet.
I work in sustainability, at one point with an energy company. I have seen figures that keep me awake at night.
I can’t reconcile the bile and hatred towards the protesters, when it’s the companies and industries they’re protesting against who are ruining the planet for generations present and future. Of course people are angry at disruption. But without change at the top, we’re on track for disaster. It’s easy to demonise protesters. Just read up. But the protesters aren’t the true villains. They’re not signing the cheques or granting the approvals firmly holding us back from finding and developing alt energy solutions. They’re not building cruise ships that decimate marine habitats as they plough the oceans (ships from which more than a third of passengers don’t even bother disembarking when they reach their destinations).
And no, we can’t turn off the oil tap overnight. But we should be doing so much more to find those alternatives. Instead we’re just digging more holes, drilling more seabeds. I find it heartbreaking. I don’t like all their methods, but at least they’re doing something. If only the right people cared enough to take notice.
End of rant.
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Cruise ships are horrific for the environment and the host areas.
We took a small boat trip around the Med coast when staying in a French fishing town near Montpelier. We left via its large, still industrial harbour, where cruise ships sometimes stopped to rest or refuel en route to Spain. These things are absolute beasts, dominating the landscape and not giving much back to the areas they visit.
I’ve often wondered how long they stop in a harbour to allow local vendors and businesses to fully benefit from the trade made from passengers’ purses. I’ve never been on a cruise but from what I’ve seen on TV and elsewhere they only allow passengers to disembark and roam around for a few hours, which doesn’t seem to justify their presence.
That was also my understanding but I could be wrong.
Depends on the cruise. Plenty have overnight stops in ports and long days ashore. In fact ports are desperate to attract cruise ships because of the huge benefits to the local economy, not only from the holidaymakers directly, but from port fees and services such as provisions. Certainly a much more pleasant way to travel than by plane and - given the numbers involved - I suspect not much more damaging to the environment per head. Of course the least polluting form of holiday is to stay home but probably of less benefit to the economy and employment rates.
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Each to their own. Couldn’t pay me to go on a cruise, not a fan of an organised holiday, even lesa so one that involves being stuck at sea with the same people.
We tend to go by train wherever we can.
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I love sleeper trains. 
But I hate the loos! 
I agree about being stuck with the same people. But most cruise lines don’t do the “sit with the same people at dinner” table thing nowadays. And I’d never have gotten to some of the little places I went to with Hurtigruten a few winters back - they’re cut off to all but ice breaker ships.
That would so restricting though, no?
Well we tend to holiday regularly in France, Spain and Italy - all easy by train. London to Marseille is 6 hours direct.
Obviously we don’t completely eschew flying, for longer distances or shorter breaks by try to use the train wherever practical.
Fair play to you and I never knew how fast the connection between the UK and the French Riviera was/is.
In all honesty, the only times I’ve ever driven long distance to a holiday destination has been the Alps when I’ve been skiing. I’m not a very good skier (pretty shit) but I go because my aunt is Swiss and my cousins always advised me to drive due to how high the hire costs are and that you need a motor anyway to get about because the chalet is two thirds of the way up a peak in excess of three thousand metres.
The first sleeper train I was on was Glasgow to Euston in the early 1970s.
It had a chamber pot that you tipped into a little cubby hole onto the tracks.
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The direct Eurostar is a beautiful thing. Get on at St Pancras after breakfast, spend the morning speeding through Kent and France and end up in Marseille St Charles for a late lunch.
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Wow! Interesting to know.