Cruise ships

"Crociere e crocieristi. Itinerari, immaginari e narrazioni" offre una panoramica sul crocierismo dalla prospettiva disciplinare della geografia.
Questa monografia scientifica, utilizzando un approccio quali-quantitativo, analizza soprattutto tre aspetti del turismo da crociera.
Il primo capitolo ricostruisce il quadro storico in cui esso è nato e si è sviluppato; il secondo presenta la dimensione quantitativa del fenomeno nell’area euromediterranea; il terzo, attraverso un caso studio registrato a Palermo, analizza alcuni aspetti simbolico-culturali che influenzano l’interazione dei crocieristi con la destinazione.
Corredato da ricchi riferimenti bibliografici e dati aggiornati Crociere e crocieristi. Itinerari, immaginari e narrazioni è di agile lettura e si rivolge a un pubblico vario: la presentazione di riflessioni dense può risultare stimolante per studiosi e pianificatori territoriali, rappresentando un utile arricchimento anche per studenti, operatori del turismo o per chiunque sia interessato a questo fenomeno.

A cruise ship slipped unannounced into Molokai’s Kaunakakai Harbor one quiet morning in October, 2011 with thirty-some malihini (tourists). They hiked to Hālawa Falls, snorkelled and kayaked along uncrowded beaches that also serve as prized fishing grounds for a predominantly Native Hawaiian population relying on traditional, subsistence livelihoods. Shaking their heads, many asked, “Who were these guys? Why so mahaʻoi (nosey)?! They just come here and don’t ask permission – they disrespect our cultural protocols!” A representative of the ʻAha Kiole, the island’s traditional governance body that facilitates community discussions and decision-making on issues impacting bio-cultural resources, invited Dan Blanchard, CEO of American Safari Cruises, to explain his intentions and respond to community concerns. He refused and cited his superior right to safe harbor under the U.S. Commerce Clause. Furthermore, he already met with the “community” – a handful of tour operators and vendors – five years prior. The next day, protestors demanded participation in the ʻAha Kiole decision-making process. Unheeded, the tours continued. The protestors renewed their efforts and successfully blocked the harbor with their fishing boats when the cruise ship attempted to anchor. Incensed with the activists for imperiling Hawaiʻi’s multi-million dollar tourism industry, Governor Abercrombie sent a SWAT team and gun boats to enforce a harbor security zone and the cruise ship’s safe entry. This served only to tighten the community’s resolve to protect its shores. Ultimately, all stakeholders engaged in community meetings hosted by the ʻAha Kiole to reach mutual agreement that included viewing a community-produced orientation video on Molokaʻi before disembarking on her shores; prohibiting tours of sensitive cultural sites and traditional subsistence areas; limiting the amount of visits and tourist numbers to sustainable levels; increasing patronage with local vendors; and contributing a percentage of cruise ship revenues to a community fund for natural and cultural resource management.

Cruise tourism is one of the sunshine sectors of international tourism and is growing rapidly in many parts of the world. It is estimated that the growth rate of cruise tourism is twice the rate of tourism overall. Notwithstanding all the positives that accompany this growth, many critics have drawn attention to the “dark side ” of cruise crimes. The eco-system aboard the cruise ship offers a fertile ground for the occurrence of crimes. The present paper examines the issue of crimes onboard from multiple standpoints and suggests some remedial measures that would lead to better management of cruise crimes. A presentation of the recent initiatives by the U.S. legislative bodies aimed at containing cruise crimes is also provided.

A cruise ship slipped unannounced into Molokai’s Kaunakakai Harbor one quiet morning in October, 2011 with thirty-some malihini (tourists). They hiked to Hālawa Falls, snorkelled and kayaked along uncrowded beaches that also serve as prized fishing grounds for a predominantly Native Hawaiian population relying on traditional, subsistence livelihoods. Shaking their heads, many asked, “Who were these guys? Why so mahaʻoi (nosey)?! They just come here and don’t ask permission – they disrespect our cultural protocols!” A representative of the ʻAha Kiole, the island’s traditional governance body that facilitates community discussions and decision-making on issues impacting bio-cultural resources, invited Dan Blanchard, CEO of American Safari Cruises, to explain his intentions and respond to community concerns. He refused and cited his superior right to safe harbor under the U.S. Commerce Clause. Furthermore, he already met with the “community” – a handful of tour operators and vendors – five years prior. The next day, protestors demanded participation in the ʻAha Kiole decision-making process. Unheeded, the tours continued. The protestors renewed their efforts and successfully blocked the harbor with their fishing boats when the cruise ship attempted to anchor. Incensed with the activists for imperiling Hawaiʻi’s multi-million dollar tourism industry, Governor Abercrombie sent a SWAT team and gun boats to enforce a harbor security zone and the cruise ship’s safe entry. This served only to tighten the community’s resolve to protect its shores. Ultimately, all stakeholders engaged in community meetings hosted by the ʻAha Kiole to reach mutual agreement that included viewing a community-produced orientation video on Molokaʻi before disembarking on her shores; prohibiting tours of sensitive cultural sites and traditional subsistence areas; limiting the amount of visits and tourist numbers to sustainable levels; increasing patronage with local vendors; and contributing a percentage of cruise ship revenues to a community fund for natural and cultural resource management.