Keep Cruise Ships Away

Marco Island is a uniquely small and fragile community—only 25 square miles—far smaller than typical cruise ports like Aruba, Bonaire, Jamaica, or the Bahamas. Unlike those destinations, our island does not rely entirely on tourism, and our infrastructure is already strained during peak season. Restaurants require reservations, roads clog during hotel shift changes and adding 500 to 9,000 cruise daytrippers would overwhelm traffic, parking, and public spaces.

Our population swells from 16,500 fulltime residents to 40,000 in season, yet we have only 38 police officers and 47 firefighters. Introducing thousands of unfamiliar visitors would reduce safety, stretch emergency services, and increase risks for our 1,000+ children who already face long bus routes and heavy traffic. Environmental harm is also significant: cruise ships emit sulfur oxides, release acidic wastewater, damage seabeds with anchors, and disrupt marine life through underwater noise.

Marco Island lacks the commercial port infrastructure, transportation systems, and large-scale attractions that cruise passengers expect. Our historic sites are small, residential, and limited. Daytrippers typically spend most of their money onboard, meaning minimal economic benefit for local businesses. Meanwhile, the island would shoulder the cost of port upgrades, increased waste management, freshwater demand, and restroom use—resources we already struggle to provide.

Our wildlife, beaches, and neighborhoods are vulnerable to overcrowding, litter, and habitat disruption. Marco Island’s charm lies in its tranquility, small size, and protected environment. Allowing cruise ships to dock threatens all of that. For these reasons, I firmly oppose permitting cruise ships on Marco Island.