Kelly Apter waxes lyrical about a global vegan cruise company that has transformed her relationship with travel
As any vegan will tell you, all holiday itineraries need time built in for tracking down food. Having spent years subsisting on banana sandwiches or walking miles to find that the only falafel shop in town is closed on a Monday (or whichever day you happen to be there), Vegan Travel arrived in my life like a cosy beanbag after a long day. Not only could I stop wondering where our family’s next meal was coming from and checking ingredients in foreign languages, but we could hang out with people sharing similar ethical values.
Prior to stepping onboard a Vegan Travel riverboat, I (like many people under 70) saw cruises as the unadventurous option when your wanderlust has all but left you. So imagine my surprise when I encountered 100 people (river cruises are much smaller than seafaring ones) across every age and demographic. Stepping up to the extensive breakfast buffet, the same bemused look crossed our faces: ‘what, you mean we can eat everything?’, only to be similarly delighted at lunch, dinner and (if you can find space) the late-night snack.
Based in Münster in Germany, Dirk Bocklage started Vegan Travel in 2014 when he identified a gap in the travel market. ‘There was a lack of exciting holiday options specifically catering to vegans and those curious about a vegan lifestyle,’ he says. ‘I also saw a real disconnect between the public perception of river cruises and the reality. There was a stereotype that they catered solely to older people and offered an outdated experience. But having seen modern river-cruise ships first-hand, we wanted to create an opportunity for vegans, and anyone interested in plant-based travel, to enjoy exciting itineraries in a stylish and comfortable setting.’
Since then, Bocklage has taken curious and well-fed vegans across most of Europe, to Patagonia, Vietnam and Cambodia, Iceland, and along the Nile to name just a few destinations, while future cruises are scheduled for Antarctica and the Caribbean. I used to listen to people talk about the joys of tasting the ‘local cuisine’ on holiday, most of which included animal products, and nod wistfully. But on each cruise, Vegan Travel employs a talented chef to create veganised versions of dishes particular to whichever region we’re passing through. And it’s not just the food that’s vegan; all the toiletries, bedding, drinks and treats that find their way magically into your cabin are too.
‘Many guests say it’s the best vacation they’ve ever had,’ says Bocklage. ‘The all-encompassing vegan experience creates a unique atmosphere where guests share the same mindset. It fosters a strong sense of community onboard and has led to many friendships and even onboard proposals over the years.’
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