Cruise holidays can be controversial. Despite their popularity, the ships are responsible for a lot of pollution. 

A study from the team at Transport & Environment found in 2023 that toxic air pollutants from cruise ships were back to pre-pandemic levels. 

The study found that just 218 cruise ships emitted as much sulphur oxide as one billion cars in Europe. 

Constance Dijkstra, shipping campaigner at T&E said: “The pandemic provided some respite for port cities, but this now well and truly over.” 

But where are Europe’s most polluted cruise ports?