Nerds That Geek Documentary Review: ‘Cruise Boom’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

The City of Sitka is Host to a Bevy of Tourists in Ellen Frankenstein’s CRUISE BOOM. (Photo Courtesy of Artchange Inc.)

Something that is genuinely interesting about our modern world, is how much we have come to cherish vacations and adventures. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means, simply because such a shift speaks to the needs of the worker, who for a long time now, has suffered under the weight of corporate interests by being overworked and underpaid. So, a booming vacation business is indeed a beautiful thing. In fact, it’s grown so much in the past decade or so, that in many ways, you’re almost an outlier in life now if you haven’t bought a vacation package to Mexico or jumped on a cruise, especially since cruises have become so incredibly affordable, and attractive, and popular.
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After all, they not only offer incredible rates, but they harbor on board parties and other entertainment, and they also happen to be host to mountains of food that you can enjoy around the clock, with a good old-fashioned tropical drink. Not to mention, they will drop you off in exotic locales and allow for you to experience the wonder of your destination, before you return to your cabin and sail away to the next city. Which is something that should be extremely joyous for the city in which a cruise ship docks, since a three-hour stay should kick up some dough for the local economy. Or does it? Because let’s be honest, we’ve been so obsessed with vacations and self-care that as a culture we haven’t really pondered upon whether or not our escape benefits the places we go.

Well, with the popularity of cruises at an all-time high, it should come as no surprise that someone decided to explore that very question, and it just so happens that PBS is now home to a new documentary that explores such matters in Cruise Boom. Which was filmed in the small Alaskan town of Sitka, shortly after it was decided by a private citizen/private financier that their dock would become the port for a new Royal Caribbean cruise stop. To help the town with its financial windfalls via tourism money, despite no one else in Sitka being good with this. But that setup, gives rise to a powerful and fascinating documentary. One that explores from beginning to end, what goes into becoming a cruise tourist town and if it is helpful for these cash strapped cities, in quite the incredible manner.

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For this is… that rare documentary that is 100% unbiased. Despite being put together by a citizen of Sitka. For director Ellen Frankenstein calls this place home, but truly wanted to offer up an objective view of such matters and present all sides to us. Which allows for us to hear about how and what Royal Caribbean offers to the citizens of towns where it sets up a port, and yes… there are benefits. Since there are opportunities for entrepreneurs to receive prime placement stores near the docks and of course… having people in a new town does prompt them explore, spend some money and showcase what a lovely place it is on social media. The latter of which, is never a bad thing. But there was mention that we see both sides of the story here, and the negatives of such a move are indeed on display here.
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Since this film also points out… how companies like Royal Caribbean only contribute so much before just letting things be, and there is little that can be done to control the corporate takeover of a town. Since there is nothing to stop Starbucks from opening up twelve franchises in the area and muscle out some local businesses in the process. Not to mention, hundreds of thousands of people come through Sitka and other towns like it, giving rise to incredible foot and vehicle traffic that infrastructure might not be able to handle, not to mention… there’s a carbon footprint factor too. Because every busload of tourists that head to a local sanctuary, make use of vehicles to get there, and there are… some other facts and surprises about cruise companies that we don’t know about that will shock you when you watch this documentary, and you absolutely should see it.

Because Cruise Boom asks a lot of the tough questions we need to, when it comes to our desire to get away from it all as a rebellious response to corporate culture in the 21st Century. Such as, do we understand that we are supporting major corporations in our attempt to rebel against them? Since they do control our entire escape. Not to mention, are these throngs of tourists good for a local economy or nothing more than the burden some worry they will be? But above all, is this the right way to showcase beautiful corners of the world? Because of the demand put upon them, and there are no easy answers here. For this feature offers education and presentation of some very real issues and that does make this, a must-see documentary. Because it is really does start some powerful and necessary discussions about a growing issue that impacts lives, and precious places in our world.  

Watch ‘Cruise Boom’ on PBS and Kanopy.

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