Crossword Genius

Takes off for journey aboard ship (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

strips

'takes off' is the definition.
(stripping is a kind of taking off)

'journey aboard ship' is the wordplay.
'journey' becomes 'trip' (trip is a kind of journey**).
'aboard' indicates putting letters inside.
'ship' becomes 'ss'.
'trip' inserted inside 'ss' is 'STRIPS'.

'for' is the link.

(Other definitions for strips that I've seen before include "Gets undressed" , "layers" , "Long narrow pieces" , "Bands" , "Takes off clothes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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