The rollout of the tourist “contribution” came after Venice narrowly escaped being placed on the UNESCO danger list earlier this year because of the threat that overtourism was having on its delicate ecosystem
Yeah cruise tourists are extremely fucking annoying when they pile into city centers by the 100s. I recall hearing an economic analysis being done about them in Amsterdam and the short of it was that they cost the city more than they spend here. They don’t buy hotel rooms locally and they eat the bulk of their meals aboard rather than in the city. So they’re just a drain on infrastructure and law enforcement and clog up the streets not knowing where they should and shouldn’t walk.
I also recall hearing that going on a cruise is one of the most polluting things a person can do in such a short period of time. They just need to stop being a thing at least until such a time as they are able to run on something other than fossil fuel.
Interesting. I wonder what the benefit of that is. I guess maybe spreading the fuel burn across times when they are and aren’t in motion? Maybe it’s also quieter?
I believe it’s mostly because it allows you to use electric motors mounted on swiveling pods under the water line. The same thing with mechanical propulsion is tricky because of leaky shaft connections.
Yeah cruise tourists are extremely fucking annoying when they pile into city centers by the 100s. I recall hearing an economic analysis being done about them in Amsterdam and the short of it was that they cost the city more than they spend here. They don’t buy hotel rooms locally and they eat the bulk of their meals aboard rather than in the city. So they’re just a drain on infrastructure and law enforcement and clog up the streets not knowing where they should and shouldn’t walk.
I also recall hearing that going on a cruise is one of the most polluting things a person can do in such a short period of time. They just need to stop being a thing at least until such a time as they are able to run on something other than fossil fuel.
Fun fact, cruise ships almost universally have electric propulsion.
Also fun fact: they get the electricity by lugging around multiple fossil fuel powered generators.
Interesting. I wonder what the benefit of that is. I guess maybe spreading the fuel burn across times when they are and aren’t in motion? Maybe it’s also quieter?
I believe it’s mostly because it allows you to use electric motors mounted on swiveling pods under the water line. The same thing with mechanical propulsion is tricky because of leaky shaft connections.
But apparently there are more advantages:
https://www.marineinsight.com/tech/cruise-ships-powered/
That’s pretty neat
You can think of it as an electric transmission instead of mechanical gears.