Cruise ships burn the cheapest, dirtiest and most toxic fuel (Heavy Fuel Oil also called bunker fuel) that’s available. Engines run 24/7 to accommodate passenger needs and exhaust emissions from that process are emitted into the atmosphere even after the so called scrubber process has removed some of the larger particulates and some gasses. Sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gasses are know to cause emphysema, asthma, lung cancer and contribute to other respiratory problems. Scrubbers do not remove the nano particles from exhaust gasses which  are also known carcinogens .

Health impact assessments of shipping and port-sourced air pollution on a global scale: A scoping literature review, states, "Globally, ~265,000 premature deaths were projected for 2020 (~0.5% of global mortality) attributable to global shipping-sourced emissions." Large cruises generating megawatts of power by burning fuel in ports will lead to health impacts that are not factored into the economics presented by this industry. And once again this is by choice to maximize profit as cleaner alternatives do exist.  Mega cruise ships are bad business partners and the hazards they cause environmentally and health wise are not worth the price of permits and meager tourist dollars. These ships are being excluded from over 100 ports globally. We do NOT NEED THEM IN VIRGINIA WATERS, especially the Chesapeake Bay!

Thank you for considering my comments.