I’m curious why diet is not a controlled variable across the comparison between staying home and cruising. In other words, for the comparison to be fair diet should be the same (vegan or standard American, doesn’t matter which) in both cases, to eliminate that as a consideration. 🤔
Fair point. But in the retired couple example, several of the variables could be slightly tweaked causing one to win over another. Add another car, a smaller house, more vacations etc. It's basically a draw.
One could make a convoluted justification that for repo cruises in particular the ships are going anyway … so you’re just catching a ride … maybe? Are these repo cruises usually sold out?
Yes, the repo cruises may be going anyway. But if no one paid for them, would the industry be financially unsustainable or are these repo trips the very thing that’s keeping this dirty industry alive?
A sustainable per capita budget is 2.0-2.5 metric tons of CO2 a year by 2030.
(This number is from Chat GPT. I have also seen that sustainable number as 5.0 metric tons in Michael Beresford Lee’s book “The Carbon Footprint of Everything.”).
No way should you go on a cruise unless you want to contribute to global heating. Cruises,as you have pointed out, have extremely high rates of greenhouse gas emissions.
The per capita number for the U.S. is 14-17.5 metric tons of CO2 according to Chat GPT. So we have a long way to go, but we must start.
The solution is to fly, drive and buy as little as possible. Houses should be highly adapted to the climate where they are located. Cars should be smaller and electric if possible.
Of course many people when given a choice between not being inconvenienced and saving the earth would rather choose the former.
Be an example in your community and cut your emissions. Also talk about the need for reducing emissions with your friends and family.
Yes, of course. We don't have a house, or a car. We eat vegan. We wear recycled clothes. In comparison to a typical retired couple, our footprint is greener even when it includes repo cruises. But, as you point out, we could do better. (see article.)
Very interesting article. Thank you for bringing this to light. I conducted my own research and found that while the cruise industry is taking strides to lower their CO2 emissions, they are still generating 2-3X the CO2 versus flights+taxis+hotels. So then it comes down to two arguments:
1. The cruise ship is going to sail with or without me
2. I prefer to cruise rather than fly ( and it is drastically cheaper for me to cruise).
So even though I try to be a good citizen of the world and try limit my waste, I will continue to cruise despite the higher carbon footprint and applaud the cruise industry every time an advancement towards carbon neutrality occurs.
in my research it looks like the shipping industry is moving towards using "green ammonia" as a fuel source that produces no CO2. It can produce noxious emissions, which can be controlled with filtering technology.
Why not just enjoy the cruise with out the stress of having to worry about how dirty the cruise is for the environment? Why is that your problem or concern.
As a nomad newbie—I appreciate your conscientiousness. I’m starting from my Sacramento home, seeking a nomad Visa from Greece, and that’s what I’ve got so far. Dream a little dream for me! Any tips?
Awesome. I was going toward Digital Nomad, but today I learned I need have a business stream of income. I have enough in pensions and payment income for the monthly amount, but my wee small bee swarm relocation “business” (mostly volunteer) is so small. More losses than profits! And never online, nor my rare honey sales (mostly donated), and food-pairing events are my fun—barter for meals and wine!
I don’t want to pay tax or at this time commit to 183 days.
Great article. We have done 2 transatlantic cruises, 1 transpacific and have another transatlantic cruise scheduled. For 8 months each year we walk everywhere or take busses, trains, ferries.... For 4 months each year in the USA we rely on our car (singular not plural). If we ever stop being nomads we want to live in place where we can walk, bike or bus and not be car dependent. On transatlantic and transpacific cruises we several miles on deck each day, rarely take elevators but walk stairs instead. On a recent 25 day cruise we took an elevator maybe three times.
Super helpful and informative Chris. I appreciate the nuanced comparisons, and how you made the comparison to just different ways of nomad travel but of nomad vs. non-nomad life. Thanks!
Interesting take on things Chris. We can all take into account what we can do to reduce our carbon footprints.
I've never been on a cruise ship, but I've always thought the repositioning voyages would be more my speed if I did decide to try it.
For the record, while sailing is definitely greener than a 100% engine driven vessel, we still consume diesel with our main engine and generator. Few sailboats are engine free, most have at least an auxiliary engine to get in and out of port, and yachts like ours are motor sailers with high powered engines. In light air we often use our engine as an assist to the sails to keep our average speed up. It's a far more comfortable and efficient way to move on our personal version of "repositioning".
Thanks Linda. Yes, sailboats have engines, but I imagine pound for pound, they're the lighter polluter for sure. Granted, that's an assumption. I didn't look at data on that.
This looks at CO2. What about sewage etc dumped into the ocean by cruise ships? I can’t imagine the ships have holding tanks large enough to accommodate that waste without dumping. But I honestly don’t know.
The ships will need to reposition due to season; we are doing 2 repo cruises in the next 12 months.
If a Plane has no passengers, it will not fly.
When a ship needs to get from Barcelona to Miami in the Fall, it will make that voyage with or without passengers. One could argue that this form of transportation is very earth friendly.
It is cost effective, efficient and a load of fun.
We will visit many ports that would otherwise require multiple flights and ground transportation, and we will be contributing to small businesses and families during those port visits.
We have always made it a point to be good steward of the earth, but analyzing the arguable difference of a singular point (carbon output) and making that a determining factor of our long-term travels is simply too much for us.
We will continue to have adventures, slow and otherwise, that will involve Planes, Trains, Automobiles, Bike, Hike, Walk.....and Cruises.
There is an argument for the empty boat theory. I wonder if there was a time in history that the boats moved trans-atlanticly without passangers, but then realized there might be a market in it?
Oof, this one breaks my heart a little. I've also wondered whether transatlantic crossings by ship might be the more environmentally-friendly choice over flying. Thanks for running the numbers! It's still not 100% clear-cut for me... as Katherine points out, at least with repositioning, the cruise is going anyway. Lots of factors to consider.
Thank you Chris and Steve for this research. I've never taken a cruise. I befriended a professor years back who would travel from the USA to Europe via freighter/container ships. He told me it was considerably cheaper, quieter and overall greater than any cruise. I don't know if this is still an option. I was told that Covid put a big damper on this mode of travel. How much have you researched it? Sounds like a great alternative to cruises.
Thanks for the analysis Chris. I was surprised that it was that much of a difference although I didn’t know cruising is probably the worst for carbon emissions.
Darn it, Chris, sometimes I’d like to keep my head in the sand.
As for the personal cognitive dissonance, this creates, I’ll probably justify continuing cruising based on budget and being older.
I’m curious why diet is not a controlled variable across the comparison between staying home and cruising. In other words, for the comparison to be fair diet should be the same (vegan or standard American, doesn’t matter which) in both cases, to eliminate that as a consideration. 🤔
Fair point. But in the retired couple example, several of the variables could be slightly tweaked causing one to win over another. Add another car, a smaller house, more vacations etc. It's basically a draw.
Variables can always be tweaked; the point is to control them.
Good point
One could make a convoluted justification that for repo cruises in particular the ships are going anyway … so you’re just catching a ride … maybe? Are these repo cruises usually sold out?
Yes, the repo cruises may be going anyway. But if no one paid for them, would the industry be financially unsustainable or are these repo trips the very thing that’s keeping this dirty industry alive?
So much to think about!
I guess you could…they are often sold out, but not always. Why do you think that would make a difference?
Mental excuse gymnastics of using unfilled space (passive) versus driving demand.
A sustainable per capita budget is 2.0-2.5 metric tons of CO2 a year by 2030.
(This number is from Chat GPT. I have also seen that sustainable number as 5.0 metric tons in Michael Beresford Lee’s book “The Carbon Footprint of Everything.”).
No way should you go on a cruise unless you want to contribute to global heating. Cruises,as you have pointed out, have extremely high rates of greenhouse gas emissions.
The per capita number for the U.S. is 14-17.5 metric tons of CO2 according to Chat GPT. So we have a long way to go, but we must start.
The solution is to fly, drive and buy as little as possible. Houses should be highly adapted to the climate where they are located. Cars should be smaller and electric if possible.
Of course many people when given a choice between not being inconvenienced and saving the earth would rather choose the former.
Be an example in your community and cut your emissions. Also talk about the need for reducing emissions with your friends and family.
https://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/2022/05/31/2114/
Yes, of course. We don't have a house, or a car. We eat vegan. We wear recycled clothes. In comparison to a typical retired couple, our footprint is greener even when it includes repo cruises. But, as you point out, we could do better. (see article.)
Very interesting article. Thank you for bringing this to light. I conducted my own research and found that while the cruise industry is taking strides to lower their CO2 emissions, they are still generating 2-3X the CO2 versus flights+taxis+hotels. So then it comes down to two arguments:
1. The cruise ship is going to sail with or without me
2. I prefer to cruise rather than fly ( and it is drastically cheaper for me to cruise).
So even though I try to be a good citizen of the world and try limit my waste, I will continue to cruise despite the higher carbon footprint and applaud the cruise industry every time an advancement towards carbon neutrality occurs.
That's kinda where we've gotten in the conversation too. I'm still going to push for a third option, altho I i don't know what that is atm.
in my research it looks like the shipping industry is moving towards using "green ammonia" as a fuel source that produces no CO2. It can produce noxious emissions, which can be controlled with filtering technology.
I wonder when the cruise lines would pick that up?
It also depends a lot on the ship…some mate ships are much cleaner, ie liquid natural gas or something?? Like Star Princess. And others.
yes, but regardless of the ship, all of them are dirty.
But, the repo is going whether you are on it or not?
Yes, this is true. It’s kinda a paradox.
Why not just enjoy the cruise with out the stress of having to worry about how dirty the cruise is for the environment? Why is that your problem or concern.
I’m always concerned about my impact on the world from my digital footprint to my carbon one.
As a nomad newbie—I appreciate your conscientiousness. I’m starting from my Sacramento home, seeking a nomad Visa from Greece, and that’s what I’ve got so far. Dream a little dream for me! Any tips?
Dang—183 days is too long for now. Tourist visa for now I guess.
The Greek Golden visa does not have a residrncy requirement, but it dies require at least keast 350k euro.
We got our one year Greek visa and we’re working on our golden visa via mutual fund. LMK if you have questions.
What type is a one year visa? Long stay visa D? How did you receive it?
a 1 yr FIP. We got it at Houston Consulate.
Awesome. I was going toward Digital Nomad, but today I learned I need have a business stream of income. I have enough in pensions and payment income for the monthly amount, but my wee small bee swarm relocation “business” (mostly volunteer) is so small. More losses than profits! And never online, nor my rare honey sales (mostly donated), and food-pairing events are my fun—barter for meals and wine!
I don’t want to pay tax or at this time commit to 183 days.
Ideas?
Have you found an area to settle? Or?
Great article. We have done 2 transatlantic cruises, 1 transpacific and have another transatlantic cruise scheduled. For 8 months each year we walk everywhere or take busses, trains, ferries.... For 4 months each year in the USA we rely on our car (singular not plural). If we ever stop being nomads we want to live in place where we can walk, bike or bus and not be car dependent. On transatlantic and transpacific cruises we several miles on deck each day, rarely take elevators but walk stairs instead. On a recent 25 day cruise we took an elevator maybe three times.
Yes, we are the same which triggered my question in the first place. If we're "light" every where we can be does a dirty repo cruise negate it?
Super helpful and informative Chris. I appreciate the nuanced comparisons, and how you made the comparison to just different ways of nomad travel but of nomad vs. non-nomad life. Thanks!
Thanks Matt
Interesting take on things Chris. We can all take into account what we can do to reduce our carbon footprints.
I've never been on a cruise ship, but I've always thought the repositioning voyages would be more my speed if I did decide to try it.
For the record, while sailing is definitely greener than a 100% engine driven vessel, we still consume diesel with our main engine and generator. Few sailboats are engine free, most have at least an auxiliary engine to get in and out of port, and yachts like ours are motor sailers with high powered engines. In light air we often use our engine as an assist to the sails to keep our average speed up. It's a far more comfortable and efficient way to move on our personal version of "repositioning".
Thanks for the interesting article! 💙
Thanks Linda. Yes, sailboats have engines, but I imagine pound for pound, they're the lighter polluter for sure. Granted, that's an assumption. I didn't look at data on that.
This looks at CO2. What about sewage etc dumped into the ocean by cruise ships? I can’t imagine the ships have holding tanks large enough to accommodate that waste without dumping. But I honestly don’t know.
I dont know either. There are extreme dumping laws, but again, who is watching?
The ships will need to reposition due to season; we are doing 2 repo cruises in the next 12 months.
If a Plane has no passengers, it will not fly.
When a ship needs to get from Barcelona to Miami in the Fall, it will make that voyage with or without passengers. One could argue that this form of transportation is very earth friendly.
It is cost effective, efficient and a load of fun.
We will visit many ports that would otherwise require multiple flights and ground transportation, and we will be contributing to small businesses and families during those port visits.
We have always made it a point to be good steward of the earth, but analyzing the arguable difference of a singular point (carbon output) and making that a determining factor of our long-term travels is simply too much for us.
We will continue to have adventures, slow and otherwise, that will involve Planes, Trains, Automobiles, Bike, Hike, Walk.....and Cruises.
There is an argument for the empty boat theory. I wonder if there was a time in history that the boats moved trans-atlanticly without passangers, but then realized there might be a market in it?
Oof, this one breaks my heart a little. I've also wondered whether transatlantic crossings by ship might be the more environmentally-friendly choice over flying. Thanks for running the numbers! It's still not 100% clear-cut for me... as Katherine points out, at least with repositioning, the cruise is going anyway. Lots of factors to consider.
Thank you Chris and Steve for this research. I've never taken a cruise. I befriended a professor years back who would travel from the USA to Europe via freighter/container ships. He told me it was considerably cheaper, quieter and overall greater than any cruise. I don't know if this is still an option. I was told that Covid put a big damper on this mode of travel. How much have you researched it? Sounds like a great alternative to cruises.
We've looked into it a bit Yip Covid killed it. But frankly, it might be time to look again.
Thanks for the analysis Chris. I was surprised that it was that much of a difference although I didn’t know cruising is probably the worst for carbon emissions.
Darn it, Chris, sometimes I’d like to keep my head in the sand.
As for the personal cognitive dissonance, this creates, I’ll probably justify continuing cruising based on budget and being older.