Traveling on a big cruise ship two summers ago, I was excited to see Venice for the first time in years, and experience its beauty and culture with family. We docked in Ravenna, then traveled by bus two hours north to our destination. I didn’t mind the ride. After all, Venice’s delicate ecosystem – and vulnerability to flooding – had made the city’s decision to ban large cruise ships in 2021 seem obvious. But Venice is not alone. Major tourist ports throughout Europe and beyond are also grappling with the pollution and other risks that come from big ships packed with people, as Monitor contributor Doug Struck explores in today’s issue. Cruises are growing in popularity, and with that, responsible stewardship of the planet also gains currency.