40- Cruise Industry Exposed: Greenwashing & Alternatives w/ Joe Sills

From documenting the world’s largest sailing ship, the Royal Clipper, to walking on mega cruise liners with thousands of passengers, Joe Sills has seen both sides of the ocean travel spectrum. In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Joe Sills, journalist and photographer, to dig into one of travel’s most controversial industries: cruises. Together, they explore the environmental cost of cruising, the rise of greenwashing in tourism, and whether sailing ships and boutique cruises could offer a better way forward.What we cover in this episode:The difference between mega cruise ships and sailing vesselsWhat responsible travel means in 2025How small-scale cruises support local economies (and why mega ships can overwhelm them)CO₂ emissions of cruise ships vs airplanes and trainsWhy Antarctica should be a no-go for mass cruisesGreenwashing in the cruise industry and how to spot red flagsAlternatives: local sailing yachts, small river cruises, boutique shipsJoe’s Arctic expedition experience, and how climate change cut it shortPractical tips on how to pick a more sustainable cruiseIf you’ve ever wondered “are cruises worse than flying?”, or if sailing ships could really be a sustainable option compared to regular cruises, this episode gives you a deep dive into the truth.More about Joe 👇Follow the Joe on Instagram: @joesillsWrite us your thoughts on the showWant more?Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcastConnect with me on Instagram @clarafranckenWatch more on my YouTube channel