‘Elite’ Crystal Serenity in ‘elite’ Arctic Cruise Row………. justified or not?

It’s not often that Crystal make the headlines for anything other than being one of the most luxurious cruise lines around however the news that Serenity is aiming to be the largest passenger ship to sail the Northwest Passage, a shortcut from Asia to Europe, has hit the BBC headlines and is even being featured on today’s Jeremy Vine lunchtime chat show.

The North West Passage only became fully clear of ice for the first time in 2007, and since then only a handful of ships have made the voyage. This summer Crystal Serenity plans a 32 night voyage through the Canadian Arctic, taking 1700 passengers right across the top of Canada and ending up in New York. Passengers will pay upwards of £12,000 for this groundbreaking experience!

What is rattling cages is that Serenity is to have an escort, RRS Ernest Shackleton, a ship which normally carries out support work for the British Antarctic Survey. The Passage isn’t completely ice free so Crystal have chartered the ice-breaker to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Critics say that a ship normally dedicated to science and research should not be involved in enabling tourism in an area such as the Arctic and there are many rumblings about environmental issues, carbon footprint and the effect that this cruise will have on the region. Critics are also concerned that it might encourage others to visit the area too.

Crystal meanwhile are offering assurances that they will do all they can to limit impact on this ‘fragile environment’.

Many different agencies have a point of view on this arguement, Friends of the Earth have expressed concern, and a Professor from the University of British Columbia has had much to say on the subject particularly about the planned visits to very small, remote communities along the route who suffer endemic Tuberculosis, high levels of Diabetes and live in extreme poverty. Are the ‘elite’ passengers going to view them like caged animals in a zoo?

I personally think that it is wonderful that people, albeit wealthy ones, are going to have the chance to see this wonderful area before it is destroyed by Global Warming, however as you can see above, many people do not share my view.

One things for sure, Crystal are sticking their necks out with this voyage, and they have another one planned for 2017 so watch this space. I am wondering if we will hear any feedback on this – should b e interesting!

Happy Cruising Folks!