A LUXURY cruise operator in the United States has announced it will offer a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip to experience the environmental devastation of the Arctic — using a mode of transport that emits three times more carbon dioxide per passenger per mile than a jumbo jet.

    It will be the first ever leisure cruise through the Northwest Passage, only accessible now because of the melting of polar ice, and is being marketed at those with an interest in witnessing the effects of climate change first-hand.

    Tickets for the trip, scheduled for Aug. 16, 2016 and organized by Crystal Cruises, will cost between US$20,000 and US$44,000.

    Yet there is no mention on Crystal Cruises’ promotion or FAQ for the journey of the boat’s own carbon footprint.

    Up to 1,070 passengers will be taken on the 32-day expedition to see seals, walruses, humpback whales and musk-ox — though the company admits there is “no guarantee” of catching a glimpse of a polar bear.

    The bulk of the voyage will take place on the Crystal Serenity, a 68,000-ton, 13-deck ship, though it will also be accompanied by an escort vessel and a helicopter.

    Popular Science described the trip as “environmental disaster tourism,” and quoted research that suggests that the carbon footprint of a cruise ship, per passenger per mile covered, is triple that of a Boeing 747 flight.

    The cruise promotion was criticized by social media users for giving people the opportunity to “see/help ruin the environment,” “watch the ravages of global warming in person and become a human vulture” and take a “high-carbon-footprint cruise to watch polar bears drown.”

    In an FAQ on its website, Crystal Cruises said 14 experts would be accompanying guests on the cruise to give lectures about the impacts on the environment around them of climate change, as well as the “historic” nature of their inaugural journey down the Northern Passage.

    Company executive Thomas Mazloum told the website GCaptain: “During this voyage, speakers will enlighten guests on information regarding climate change, and how it has impacted this passage.

    “With the recent retreat of polar ice, the time is right for us to lead the way within the travel industry, as Crystal has done throughout our 25-year history.” (SD-Agencies)