Slow and Sustainable Travel and Cruise Ship Travel

Can cruise ship travel ever be a slow and sustainable form of travel? In many ways it epitomises slow travel — the unhurried pace, the focus on leisure and experiential activities, the languid vibe on board the ship decks. But slow travel is by its very nature low impact, which cruise ship travel mostly isn’t. But is it possible that smaller cruise ships could offer a more sustainable mode of travel compared to the colossal ‘cities at sea’?

After recently receiving an invitation to do an Orion Expedition to Malaysian Borneo, we’ve been doing some research to find out if it’s possible for small cruise ships to be sustainable and environmentally friendly. I have to confess that I’d always taken for granted that cruise ship travel was a slower and more sustainable mode of travel than flying.

After my recent research, it turns out what I was thinking of was cargo ship travel, widely considered to be one of the more sustainable means of transport after walking, cycling, horse, donkey, camel, trains, buses, and fuel-efficient cars. Who knew?! But cruise ships are not sustainable and far from eco-friendly.

Those monumental ocean liners like Queen Mary 2, which are basically ‘cities at sea’, have a colossal carbon footprint. Enormous cruise ships do massive environmental damage, especially to the ocean. There’s a tremendous amount of electricity used, fuel burnt, hazardous waste created, and wastewater, garbage and sewage disposed in the sea.

Then there are the negative effects on ports of call. Cruises are essentially all-inclusive holidays, where everything is paid for in advance to the cruise company, so local businesses see very little benefit from shore excursions, aside from a small amount of money spent on souvenirs and cold drinks. Then there’s the large amount of waste left behind.

Here are some thoughts on slow and sustainable travel and cruise ship travel, and research I’ve been doing in preparation for our first cruise with Orion Expeditions to Malaysian Borneo.

Slow and Sustainable Travel and Cruise Ship Travel — Can a City at Sea Be Eco-Friendly?

Venice is the best example or rather worst example of the detrimental effect of cruise ship tourism on a city. In Venice, the disposal of plastic water bottles left by day-trippers is a serious problem, as is the impact of the ships’ wake on erosion of the islands from the waves created, and damage to buildings’ structures. More on that subject in our story Understanding Venice, a City Built on Water.

Having said that, it seems cruise ship companies are becoming more eco-conscious. Various research reports I’ve been reading claim that more environmentally-friendly improvements are being introduced by cruise companies every day thanks to technological advancements.

These include things like more aerodynamic designs, itineraries that make better use of tides, installation of solar power panels, LED lights, low-flow shower-heads, heat-transfer windows to cut down on cooling, and allowing more natural light, reducing air-conditioning emissions.

Other initiatives include the use of cleaner burning fuels and non-toxic cleaning supplies, onboard crushing of aluminium, tin and glass for recycling, re-using used cooking oil as an alternative fuel, replacing single-use plastics with bio-degradable materials, and sourcing more sustainable local produce for meals.

Some researchers have shown that cruise ship travel is far worse than flying for the amount of carbon emissions created. However, it’s very tricky to compare the carbon footprint of a cruise ship voyage with that of a flight, because a cruise ship is not just a means of transport, but includes accommodation, meals, entertainment, and leisure activities.

Fortunately, smaller vessels like Orion Expedition’s mega-yachts, which is what we’ll be travelling on, are significantly greener and more sustainable than massive cruise liners. Designed to be self sufficient for 22 days at sea, the Orion ships boast energy efficient engines, water recycling, and innovations like collecting air conditioning condensation for use.

Orion also claims to be sustainable in other ways, such as working with local communities, including traditional owners and tribal chiefs, to carefully and sensitively manage tourist visits and experiences, ensuring they’re “authentic” and giving back to the locals in other ways, from investing in the protection of natural resources to looking after their well-being.

I’m also thinking that, just as we would in a hotel or apartment rental, as travellers we need to be responsible ourselves when we’re at sea, doing small things like turning lights out, re-using towels, giving the air-conditioning a miss if it’s not necessary, having showers instead of baths, and, just as we do in the restaurants we eat at, wherever possible, selecting dishes to eat that have created with local, seasonal, and sustainable produce.

Until recently, cruise ship travel was not something we’d contemplated, mostly for responsible travel reasons, because we just don’t think it’s the right thing to do for the planet. But also because we weren’t sure it was a style of travel that was for us.

That cruise ship travel is becoming more environmentally friendly, with even mega-liners like the Princess Cruises ships (remember The Love Boat?) now boasting long lists of sustainable practices, is working in its favour. And the undeniably slower pace of travel is definitely appealing.

I’m imagining what the cruise will be like. The closest experience we’ve had to a cruise is ferry hopping around the Greek Islands and along the coast of Croatia. I remember the excitement of departures, the anticipation that builds along the way, gazing out to sea as I lazily read a book, wondering what the place we’re sailing to will be like and whether our expectations will be met.

And then feeling a sense of excitement again as the destination appears in our sights and comes into focus on approach. I’m imagining all that and more – and maybe more of ‘less’, if you know what I mean, in terms of cruising as a form of slow travel.

We’ll be off-line while we’re at sea, but we’ll be sharing posts on social media when we’re able, and we’ll report back at the end of the trip. These first-time cruisers welcome your tips, especially advice on sustainable travel at sea.

So what do you think? Does cruise ship travel come to mind when you think of slow and sustainable travel? Are you a fan of cruises? Any tips for these slow and sustainable travellers?