You book your dream Disney Cruise. You plan for sunshine, crystal-clear water, and a day at Castaway Cay. You pack sunscreen labeled “reef friendly,” thinking you’re protecting the environment as much as your skin. But what if that label was a lie?
That’s the unsettling question guests might need to consider as multiple sunscreen manufacturers come under legal scrutiny for allegedly deceiving customers about the safety of their products for marine life. If you’re setting sail to Disney’s private island or its new eco-conscious destination, Lighthouse Point, this affects you more than you might think.
Major Brands Face Legal Heat; Disney Will Need To Answer as Well
In California, prosecutors have already secured settlements with two major sunscreen companies: Supergoop and Sun Bum. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office accused both of falsely claiming their products were safe for reefs while using chemical ingredients that harm marine ecosystems.
Supergoop paid $350,000 and Sun Bum $300,000 in penalties. The companies must now cease all advertising that describes their chemical sunscreens as “reef safe.” Even more, they’re required to contact every retailer in California and request that all references to reef safety be physically covered on the packaging.
These settlements may only be the beginning. Prosecutors are now targeting Edgewell Personal Care, the nation’s largest sunscreen manufacturer and the company behind household names like Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic.
A Closer Look at the Chemicals
At the core of the lawsuit is the claim that Edgewell promoted products as “reef friendly” while using avobenzone as a UV blocker. According to the district attorney’s office, avobenzone is structurally similar to oxybenzone, a chemical that Hawaii banned in 2018 due to its proven damage to coral reefs.
The suit states that not only were Edgewell’s marketing claims not backed by science, but actual studies and legislation pointed in the opposite direction—that the ingredients in their sunscreens may be actively damaging marine life.
The problem isn’t just the advertising—it’s the consumer trust built on misleading claims, now unraveling under the weight of scientific scrutiny and legal action.
Why This Matters for Disney Cruise Guests
Disney Cruise Line promotes environmental stewardship and designs its ports of call—like Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point—with sustainability in mind. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the vibrant marine environments through snorkeling, paddleboarding, and swimming in reef-filled lagoons.
But sunscreen, the thing meant to protect us from the sun, could be quietly contributing to the deterioration of those very underwater habitats.
If you’re bringing Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, or other chemical-based sunscreens labeled “reef safe,” you may unknowingly be introducing harmful ingredients into fragile reef ecosystems.
What to Pack Instead
As awareness spreads and legal cases continue, travelers are advised to use mineral-based sunscreens, especially those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in non-nano form. These ingredients physically block UV rays without leaching harmful chemicals into the water.
While Disney has not yet announced updated sunscreen guidelines, the mounting pressure on companies and consumers alike suggests changes may be on the horizon.
A Sign of Bigger Industry Changes: Disney Cruise Line To Answer
Deputy District Attorney Christopher Judge explained the broader goal of the lawsuits: “If a consumer goes into Google and types ‘Is x sunscreen reef safe?’… we want the truth to be there.”
These cases aren’t just about fines—they’re about consumer education and changing how companies market products that affect public health and the environment.
For now, as you plan your Disney Cruise getaway, double-check your beach bag. The sunscreen you bring could mean the difference between protecting your skin—and protecting the ocean you’ve traveled so far to enjoy.
