Does anyone know if there are any companies/organizations that offer the possibility to sail the Atlantic by boat as a passenger (so not as a (more or less) experienced crew member). Are there any? Or announced plans or something like that?
(I’m not talking about being a passenger on a large cargo ship. I’m curious about the possibility to cross the Atlantic with a low carbon footprint).
Hear me out. The thing with cruise ships is that they sometimes relocate from North America to Europe operations and vis versa. Those cruises don’t get tourists because the whole point of a cruise is to visit different places, no one wants that trip. But the relocation is going to happen anyway, so they sell tickets super cheap (and it’s stripped of entertainment like comedians, shows, etc). Because the relocation is going to happen anyway, you’re not exactly adding to any carbon footprint. You’d have to Google what exactly they’re called.
But I get you if you want to sail. That does exist too.
If you are looking to make the crossing on a sailboat under 50’, there are a few hitchhiker facebook groups that are pretty active. Maybe start in the FBG 'All Things Sailing" and move on from there.
Source: am fulltime liveaboard crusier
Interesting, thanks. What does “fulltime liveaboard crusier” mean? You spend your days sailing the ocean? In sailing boats?
I’ve been living full-time off the grid for six years on my Bayfield 29, either sailing or at anchor. After storm season I’ll be leaving the States bound to Colombia, Brazil & Panama.
Looks like the main options are the things you’ve already ruled-out:
- Lowest impact travel: passenger on a cargo ship.
- Zero-emissions vehicle: £6000 trip on a sailing boat, but any normal-sized boat is going to expect everyone on board to take shifts.
Maybe you can find a “tall ship” that’s big enough to have passive passengers (example), or pay the small boat to bring a higher ratio of paid crew to let the passengers sleep.
Thanks. The tall ships look amazing.
I don’t understand why there arent more commercial options around. Aren’t there armies of rich tourists and digital nomads struggling with their CO2 footprints?
Wouldnt it be possible to have WiFi on such tall ships? Wouldnt it be possible for people to work online for some weeks?
It might be a trope by now, but when you mention “rich tourists and digital nomads”… have you read For The Win?
When Cory Doctorow considers this question, … His character, an archetype of the subcultures you mention, voiced by the most cyberpunk author you ever read, chooses a cargo ship.
I didn’t know it yet. But it looks interesting. Thanks for the tip.
Like a transatlantic cruise?
No, I basically mean a sailing ship. A ship with sails. I’m curious about the possibilities to cross the Atlantic with no/low CO2 emissions. I have adjusted the title to make this clearer!
https://www.59-north.com/ take you on as crew for different lengths of legs. I think they usually go back and forth with two boats per year.
Royal Caribbean has a couple of one way routes from the us to Europe.
Some shipping companies will also rent cabin space for civilians to cross the atlantic.
