Cruising towards carbon zero: the evolution of ocean travel It’s no secret that the natural environment needs our protection – but there are plenty of well-kept secrets in the cruise industry, both in terms of new destinations and lessons in conservation. - By Jessica Martyn
Of course, technology is not the be-all and end- all of a fabulous onboard experience, and some operators are recognising this by creating more holistic experiences – expedition cruises being a perfect example. A concept established and named by Silversea circa 1995, the expedition cruise is a foray into new experiences designed to expand guests’ perspec- tives, world views, palates, and overall experien- tial capital. For these immersive cruise experiences, ves- sels are often custom-built with the region and planned experience in mind, ready for anything from stargazing to wildlife spotting. The newest ships in the Silversea fleet include “The scope for technological advancement on cruise lines stretches as far as the horizon, and then some.” Silver Nova and Silver Endeavour, launched in August 2023 and November 2022 respectively – and plans are already in motion to launch Silver Ray in mid-2024. One of the most spacious cruise ships on the water, Silver Nova boasts an innovative asym- metrical design that offers an immersive desti- nation experience for up to 728 guests. Silver Endeavour is similarly well endowed, branded the most luxurious (and expensive) ex- pedition ship ever built. Onboard these luxury vehicles, guests can expect a wide array of enriching activities and experiences, including fascinating on-land side trips with highly regarded lecturers ready
to impart oceans of knowledge on everything from exploring ancient rock art to kayaking around Antarctic glaciers. When the brain is full, expedition cruises also treat the stomach, often with revolutionary cu- linary concepts such as Silversea’s S.A.L.T. – Sea And Land Taste – delivering the best produce of sea and land, from the French Riviera to authen- tic Italian eateries. The experience then takes a practical turn in the S.A.L.T. Lab, an interactive cooking laborato- ry that teaches guests how to recreate local rec- ipes and understand the food heritage of each ingredient, and finally to the S.A.L.T. Chef’s Ta- ble – a bespoke experience for a maximum of 18 guests, including a thoughtfully choreographed, locally oriented menu of small plates with wine and cocktail pairings. One thing’s for sure – if it’s the taste of leisure you’re after, an expedition cruise will leave you both satisfied and hungry for more.
W hen it comes to the natural environ- ment, ignorance has often proven dan- gerous–just take the many instances of introduced species becoming serial pests, and, in some cases, threatening to destroy en- tire ecosystems. In essence, learning more about the world we live in is key to better caring for it, and the dis- covery of its many hidden wonders will surely inspire us to do so even more. Ocean travel is one of the best ways to access many of the world’s most protected and least travelled parts of our world. Cruise liners can give groups of travellers ac- cess to destinations that would be otherwise impossible, particularly with recent design in- novations producing smaller, more agile vessels without compromising on the sense of luxury that is synonymous with cruising. Despite its reputation for adding to air and water pollution, the international cruise liner in- dustry takes its responsibility for environmental protection very seriously. In fact, cruise ship com- panies are turning their attention not only to pre- serving the natural world in a number of innova- tive ways, but also educating passengers through experiences both onboard and onshore. Innovative ship designs and practices are cru-
cial to minimising the environmental impact of the cruise industry, and industry leaders have implemented a range of key updates in recent years, including: • The implementation of advanced wastewa- ter treatment systems • Cleaner, liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel • The elimination of single-use plastics; and • Investment in energy-efficient engines, appli- ances and LED lights, as well as hull coatings that reduce friction and fuel consumption. • Fleet innovations to develop a new genera- tion of zero-emission vessels Maximising environmental benefit is also about exposing travellers to locations that lie off the beaten track, and creating educational experiences onboard as well as on the land in the destinations they visit. Even as new unique and bespoke travel op- portunities have multiplied, there have remained so many relatively untouched parts of the world –from the secret islands of Kyushu, Japan, to the unforgettable Inuit spring in Reykjavik. By embracing “conscious” cruise exploration and opportunities to learn more about the world we live in, we can all live up to our potential as stewards of the earth. After all, we protect what we know best.
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