Two dozen activists from around the globe have come together virtually to pressure the cruise industry into having more respect for Mother Nature and its workers.

They have formed Global Cruise Activist Network (GCAN) to collaborate via digital platforms on issues such as illegal waste dumping, carbon emissions and mistreatment of seafarers.

"Our purpose is to exchange information and find places we want to work together on," co-founder Karla Hart said during GCAN's first meeting, which was held over digital sharing platform Zoom due to the pandemic.