Friends of the Earth (FoE) revealed its second annual "Cruise Ship Environmental Report Card" on Wednesday, assessing the environmental impacts of eleven major cruise lines, many of which sail through Canadian waters.

“For the second year in a row, we’ve found that cruise lines are doing less than they can to limit the environmental impacts of their ships,” said Marcie Keever, director of FoE’s Clean Vessels campaign in a statement released Wednesday.

The cruise lines were graded on sewage treatment, air pollution reduction, and water quality compliance.

Crystal Cruises received an F for overall performance. Neither of the cruise line’s two North American ships has installed an adequate sewage treatment system, according to Friends of the Earth, and neither ship has a plug-in capability for shoreside power.

While not currently sailing near the province, Crystal Cruises trips such as Northern Lights, Klondike Explorer, and Alaskan Frontiers will be rolling into B.C. waters in early 2011. They will make stops in Victoria, where a recent study showed that cruise-generated toxins may be triple the previous estimates.

Two of last year’s poor performers made progress in the report this year.

The most improved award went to Disney Cruise Line. Advanced sewage treatment systems were installed in two of the company’s ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. However, the company received an F in air pollution reduction for the second year in a row.

The report card also recognizes efforts made by Royal Caribbean. The line installed advanced sewage treatment systems in just under half the fleet’s ships. It received one violation of Alaskan water pollution standards, and no violations of Alaskan air pollution.

Robyn Smyth is completing a practicum at The Tyee.