‘Epitome of exploitation’: Climate activists rally against Seattle cruise season
Apr 14, 2025, 4:34 PM
A cruise ship in Seattle. (Photo courtesy of the Port of Seattle via KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of the Port of Seattle via KIRO 7)
Climate activists took to the waterfront ahead of the 2025 Seattle cruise season.
According to KING 5, the organization Seattle Cruise Control held its annual Speak for the Seas event over the weekend.
The organization—made up of volunteers, climate activists, scientists, students, business people, teachers, healthcare workers, and residents, according to Seattle Cruise Control’s website—spoke out against ship worker treatment, pollution, and the communities along the cruise route, reported KING 5.
“The cruise industry is the epitome of capitalism, of pollution and exploitation, of glorifying profit at the expense of all else,” Stacy Oaks, a member of Seattle Cruise Control, said, as stated by KING 5. “And it’s clear that the Port of Seattle currently glorifies profit at the expense of all else.”
Port of Seattle expects record-breaking 2025 Seattle cruise season
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The Port of Seattle reported it is expecting a record-breaking cruise season with 298 sailings and 1.9 million revenue passengers. The tourism is set to rake in nearly $900 million and provide 5,500 jobs.
However, according to Seattle Cruise Control, the ships cause widespread damage.
“Cruise ships cause profound and widespread harm, much more than most Northwest residents may realize,” the organization’s website states. “In just a single season, greenhouse gas emissions from cruises and the flights that bring passengers here account for one-third as much climate pollution as the entire city of Seattle produces in a year. This non-essential industry pollutes air and water, endangers public health, jeopardizes the climate, exploits onboard workers, and overwhelms destination communities.”
In its news release, the Port of Seattle touted clean energy power.
“The 2025 cruise season marks a major milestone as the first full season of clean energy shore power available at all three berths, making our home port an international leader in shoreside decarbonization,” Port of Seattle Executive Director Steve Metruck said via the release. “This continues our work to advance maritime decarbonization as we build a port for the future.”
The cruise season runs from April to October.
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