Where Do Cruise Ships Dump Their Waste?

Cruise ships generate enormous amounts of waste — and much of it ends up in the ocean. 

Depending on where a ship is sailing and which laws apply, cruise ships are allowed to dump different types of waste directly into the sea, often just miles from shore. While the cruise industry promotes an image of luxury and cleanliness, the reality is that many ships operate as floating cities with shockingly weak environmental oversight. 

What kinds of waste do cruise ships produce? 

A single large cruise ship can carry nearly 10,000 passengers and crew — and with them comes massive volumes of waste, including: 

Sewage (Blackwater) 

This is human waste from toilets. While some ships treat sewage onboard, treated or partially treated sewage is often legally dumped into the ocean, and illegal dumping has been documented. More than a billion gallons of sewage are dumped into the ocean annually. This sewage is not only full of human waste, but also chemicals, pharmaceuticals, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and hazardous waste. And many cruise ships lack the sewage treatment facilities to adequately filter out toxins. 

Graywater 

Graywater comes from sinks, showers, kitchens, and laundries. It can contain food waste, grease, detergents, chemicals, and heavy metals. In many parts of the world, graywater can be dumped without treatment. 

Bilge water 

Bilge water collects in the lowest part of the ship and often contains oil, fuel, and cleaning chemicals. Although treatment is required, enforcement is weak and violations are common. 

Solid and hazardous waste 

This includes plastics, food waste, batteries, medical waste, and toxic chemicals. While some waste is brought to shore, mismanagement and illegal disposal continue to be major concerns. 

Do cruise ships dump waste in the ocean? 

Yes. Cruise ships routinely dump waste into the ocean — and much of it is legal. 

International waters 

Once a ship is more than 3 nautical miles from shore, international rulesallow for the discharge of minimally treated sewage. . Beyond 12 nautical miles, raw sewage from vessels may be discharged.  

U.S. waters 

U.S. laws offer slightly stronger protections, but loopholes remain. Special rules apply in places like Alaska, where stronger regulations were passed only after public pressure. 

Near ports and coastlines 

Despite regulations, cruise companies have been caught dumping waste illegally near ports and sensitive ecosystems, paying fines years later while damage remains. 

Cruise ships and sewage 

Even when sewage is treated, treatment standards at sea are often far weaker than those required for cities on land. What would be illegal for a town of 5,000 people can be perfectly legal for a cruise ship carrying the same number. 

How much waste are we talking about? 

The scale of cruise ship pollution is staggering: 

• A single cruise ship can produce millions of gallons of graywater each week 
• Thousands of gallons of sewage can be generated every day 
• Cruise ships can emit more air and water pollution than entire coastal communities 

This pollution harms marine life, coral reefs, fisheries, and coastal economies — especially in communities that rely on clean water for their livelihoods. 

Do cruise ships dump trash in the ocean? 

Cruise ships are not legally allowed to dump trash in the oceans. Garbage is to be separated as effectively as possible.  

It’s important to note that there are cruise ships that have been caught discarding trash into the ocean – which is illegal and increases plastic pollution that can choke and kill marine wildlife.  

Do cruise ships dump food waste in the ocean? 

Yes. Food waste is discharged in the ocean. When food has been prepared but goes uneaten, it is ground up and mixed with water until it is liquified by an industrial grinder. This food mixture is typically pumped out of the ship while at sea.  

Weak laws and cruise industry greenwashing 

Cruise companies often promote “advanced wastewater treatment systems,” but these systems are not required everywhere, can fail or be bypassed, and are not consistently monitored by independent authorities. 

International agreements like MARPOL and national laws like the Clean Water Act are riddled with loopholes that allow dumping to continue — often legally. 

Fines for violations are rare and typically amount to a small cost of doing business for billion-dollar cruise corporations. 

Why this matters — and what needs to change 

The cruise industry’s waste problem is not just an environmental issue — it’s a regulatory failure. 

We need: 

• Stronger international rules banning ocean dumping 
• Real enforcement and meaningful penalties 
• Transparency and public reporting 
• A shift away from polluting cruise practices altogether 

Friends of the Earth is holding cruise companies accountable 

For decades, Friends of the Earth has exposed cruise ship pollution, challenged corporate greenwashing, and fought for stronger protections for oceans and coastal communities. 

The ocean is not a dumping ground — and luxury vacations should not come at the expense of marine life and frontline communities. 

Read our Cruise Ship Report Card to learn more.