I wonder if the ships are, as well. I’m thinking about sailing across the Pacific from China (where I’ve been living for the past few years) to the U.S. (where I’m from), and I don’t want to put my pup in the cargo hold of an airplane, all alone in the dark for 14 hours. Hey R.F. Listed here is the contact info of a few 3rd party shipping companies you can consider to deliver your … horror! They’re carrying multimillion dollar cargoes, and they only have room for a handful of passengers on each ship. Do you want to travel a particular route? You’ll need to check with an agent to get answers to those questions. I’m certainly not worried about finances. Hey Larry. They just put a stamp and that’s good? And you’re unlikely to encounter any bad storms since they see them coming and steer around them. June 26, 2020 @ … can it? If you are from the U.S., you will need a plug converter (square to round prongs, but you can usually find one on the ship). 45+ ways to come up with a winning business idea, 40+ creative ways people make money online, My Experience Crossing The Pacific Ocean On A Cargo Ship, my 44-month trip around the world without flying, this free 9-part video series that I filmed in three different countries, How to Take Cargo Ships to Remote Pacific Islands, Click here for Fact Check & Citation Information. My wife would accompany me. Australia requires a visa for all foreign nationals arriving by ship. Yes it’s costly because the cruises are longer! I’m often asked how I was able to travel for so long. Meals are something I looked forward to as they provided an opportunity for some interesting conversation with the ship’s officers. Smaller boats tend to feel the motion of the ocean a lot more, so there’s a much higher chance of seasickness. Accordingly, you should check to see if your computer, razor, radio, etc., have a 110-220V-option switch. We strive for accuracy and fairness. I don’t recall anything unusual about the customs inspection. You are very good at explaining experiences. Mine certainly did, with a shower as well. The route across the North Atlantic is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and there are a large number of passenger services available. If you see something that doesn’t look right, please leave a comment below or contact us via this page. Worst-case scenario, you could do jail time. These kinds of voyages are popular with people who only have a couple of weeks to travel, and only want to spend some it at sea. There is a much higher noise level than on a cruise ship, but, like vibration, it is minimal. While working for APL in the early 80’s, he was able to take me on a trip to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan, for about 30 days. Is it practical to try to include a cargo ship leg from Cape Town to Buenos Aires? There is no tax on items purchased on the high sea, however, the ship’s “slop chest” is locked while the ship is in port. Sign up below to get the next one. All rights reserved. She responds to every command – it’s like she speaks English. Some people would argue that both the cargo ship and the plane are going to make those journeys whether you’re on them or not, so your choice doesn’t make much difference either way. It has a quarter mile of carrying space. Payment is usually only accepted in cash USD. P Giordano I very much doubt that is possible. The steward may make up your bed and empty your wastebasket daily; then again, it might be only on a weekly basis, so tip accordingly, if at all. So I want to travel by boat. Shop around. June 27, 2020 @ Lunch and dinner were both three courses and served by the chief steward on a white table cloth. As much as I would love to benefit others by engaging in a similar movie/video to that of yours, I have Kiswahili language in preference. Cruise ship –> Cargo ship –> Fishing boat , A great article! How can I travel one way from the US on a cargo ship, and take my own car on the same ship? You can travel from just about any major port in the world to any other port. JRusslett I was invited to dine at the captain’s table for dinner on Sundays, but other than that I was eating alone at my own table. Traveling on large ships is like being on a cruise ship. January 24, 2020 @ Traveling as a solo female would be fine. lol -but it’s the type of thing I’ve seen. I try to prove that the world is a better place that what most people think. Most freighters only have room for a limited number of passengers, and, while you won’t be bunking with the crew anymore, traveling by freighter is still enough of an alternative mode of transportation to keep regular cruise tourists standing in the buffet line. Ahern, “The Freighterman,” who has traveled around the world and then some by freighter ship. I try to stay friendly, kind, patient, polite, charming, humble and I tend to smile a lot. Thank you! What do you think, am I to old or would my sea service open doors Unfortunately the cost is prohibitive for us, but this would be a fun alternative! February 21, 2019 @ This jointly operated service offers one of the best travel bargains we know of. Buy traveler's health insurance covering at least the duration of your time aboard ship. Allow several months to plan your trip. I have been advised that American agents are striving for a single pricing system so that the cost of a voyage is exactly the same for a given ship, regardless of where the traveler calls home, or currency of payment. The cost of shipping that same piece of luggage via FedEx or other traditional shipping companies may not be what it first appears. Accordingly, the engine air intakes, usually on the “A” deck, generate a lot of noise outside of the vessel. My second question has to do with exercise – the ships are so large, is there enough space to ride a bicycle around or go rollerblading anywhere? There’s no crazy partying or unruly behavior aboard. Hi . Are there any restrictions on taking tools with me? Thanks, Selva Marroquin Some have more relaxed rules than others. It’s fascinating. Since all of the passenger-carrying containerships are sailing under a foreign flag they are not subject to American laws requiring accommodation of disabled individuals. Depending on the port, they may have a sniffer dog, or a vigilant security guard. Passport verification? The fact that you never leave the vessel is of no consequence. Thank you for your help! Getting from A to B by sailboat will usually take a while. You can acquire proof of onward travel if necessary for the country you’ll be disembarking to (assuming you’re not a citizen of that country). It was utterly amazing! Make travel plans, then write a story for us! Video: What’s It Like Inside a Cabin on a Freighter Ship? You’ll usually be required to submit all of this stuff at least three weeks before your trip. They want to take part. hello Neill, Often, tramp voyages have passenger rooms and travelers can book them. My cabin was cleaned once per day and I had access to washer and dryer to do my own laundry. By this, I mean it is very stable. Thanks, Max Hartshorne lol Enjoy! Hi Harley, She would cause zero problems and zero inconveniences for the crew, and in all likelihood she would brighten their voyage and they’d be glad to see her and pet her at mealtimes. Most of the major global shipping lines including CMA-CGM offer paying passengers an opportunity to hop on one of their lines. … I mostly kept busy with the following activities: If the weather is good, you can also find yourself a nice spot out on deck and work on your tan. That’s really amazing. Or send us a message via the contact page. Wow, I never knew this! Cargo ships often act as passenger ships and offer real travel alternatives under the banner of freighter cruises, however travel by cargo ship is often more expensive than you might expect, regularly costing about the same as a cruise ship! I am a retired Master Mariner. To find physicians or clinics in your area, call your local Public Health Department. Your experience going from Turkey, through Iran, over to India and on to Thailand sounds very interesting. Remember that there may be voyages available that the travel agent is not advertising on the Internet or elsewhere. That’s 3,744 tonnes of fuel total. Most of the Filipino crew had a decent command of the language. As you will be in an entirely new environment, it will take a few days to get a feeling for the ship and its crew. Michael Kelly The answer is simple. home. Best-case scenario, you wouldn’t be allowed on the ship and would have no hope of getting a refund. Cost to ship luggage with Other shippers. The answer will be different depending on the cargo ship company. Not looking to traffic stuff but I was thinking about having a little smoke on the ship. It took me 26 days to get from Japan to Peru on a ship that burned about 6 tonnes of fuel per hour. G P Witteveen You will have to book through an agent that specializes in freighter cruises or directly through the ship’s agent/manager. Remember the old stories of adventurers who would hop a cargo ship to get to an exotic port of call, traveling like a sailor or Merchant Marine? As for crossing the Atlantic, I took a repositioning cruise, from Miami to Barcelona (one stop at Medeira) on Norwegian Cruise Lines. Like 6 guitars and 2 suitcases? Of course, the downside to higher cabins is that you will have to go down several flights of stairs to get to the officer’s mess, which is usually located on the poop deck (one deck above the main deck on ships not stowing containers aft of the superstructure) or the main deck. 8:50 pm. Sumee302 With container carriers there is often a fleet manager. Put your car on the ship. There was no doctor on my ship but I believe lots of the crew had first aid training. Additionally, it is more expensive than a flight, but you’re also paying for several days of lodging and food. Tipping is optional. No, a cell phone won’t work. I live in the Netherlands and fly once or twice a year to Dominican Republic, but there’s little social distancing possible inside an airplane and the idea of having to wear a mask for 10 hours sounds horrible to me. Regular cargo ship travel will usually cost you $125/day or more. You can buy all the beer and hard liquor you want to mellow out, tax-free. So, if you like the feel of the sea, think small. In early 2014 I traveled by cargo ship from Japan to Peru, with stops in Mexico and Panama along the way. Not that I’m a professional traveler, but why pay over $4k to travel in less luxury, and for over a month? Like being on a drip to avoid dehydration? When booking a cabin, get one as high as possible in the superstructure, assuming you have available options. It is … But, don’t expect to find your favorite Scotch or Rye whiskey on board. Moreover, disembarkation conditions in most ports are … Make note of those you like best. Is it possible to get to Ireland from the port of Houston this way? Your email address will not be published. The system would save all the emails and send/receive in batches twice a day. thomas barry Usually, passengers have access to the bridge at all times. Thank you for the article I really enjoyed reading it and I did not know that you can travel on a cargo ship! Do you think this is possible? If I can’t have a glass of wine with dinner, I think I would rather fly… pity, as I am keen to try a sea voyage but hate the idea of the normal cruise liners. CAN I WORK ON A FREIGHTER FOR ALL OR PART OF MY PASSAGE? If you can’t find him on their webpage then a PR manager is also ideal. A vacation of a lifetime. There is an old saying in the container ship business. Just don’t do big Powder Puff attachments. Really interesting … and informative… The U.S. standard is 110 volts. Could be. Travelling on a cargo ship is a unique experience. If you travel alone, always ask for a single cabin. Aside from that, it’ll depend on the ship you’re on. I know he says, “I don’t know of any cargo ship company that allows pets”, but it can’t be like, a universal worldwide absolute “law” that pets can’t sail. Cargo can be transported on the same vessel you travel on, however, you are probably better off shipping with the line usually used by the freighter forwarding company. The advantage is that you can get a cheaper voyage to a remote destination at the last minute. I find that captains find it slightly or massively annoying when travelers want to hitch a ride. I am looking to travel to far east .. thialand Burma Vietnam.. primarily thialand ,and would like to know how best to go about doing . One thing I have not been able to find out so far : is there normally a safe or other facility for keeping cash and/or valuables secure on board? One agent told me that it is customary in some European countries for the agent to expect payment in full once you have contracted for a voyage, even if you are required to cancel the trip. (There shall also be videos of men dancing badly.). January 25, 2020 @ 10:14 pm. They want to help. You won’t have a ton of interaction with the crew as they are essentially working full-time jobs while aboard the ship. Welcome and enjoy your visit. I have no idea, Julian. With a satellite phone you pay per minute. Hey Jeff. I am wondering if they check your luggage before boarding and how well they do it. All members of the ship’s crew are addressed as “Mister” unless they tell you to call them by their first name. You can resume your voyage or fly home by plane. If that interests you, check out this free 9-part video series that I filmed in three different countries. If you contact one of the cargo ship travel agents listed above they should be able to answer that for you. While some freighters depart on exact date and time, others have a window for departure. Given the fact that one might find themselves the only passenger, would travelling as a solo female present itself as a problem? Start with a large fortune.” The easy number people use to valuate ship operations is the daily cost… There are quite a few out there, but I recommend these six: It’s also worth checking for additional agencies in your home country or in the country you want to travel to/from. Plan what you are going to need on your voyage; bring a short wave radio, videotapes, reading material, a camera, or whatever. Thanks for the comment. I traveled from Japan to southern California in summer 1985. Very well-written article! If not, you will need a converter. But there’s plenty of time to read, get some sun, hang out on the bridge. Bring plenty of books or tapes. Modern union rules don’t allow it. Non-US citizens must have a visa to enter the United States by cargo ship. And also it would be nice to avoid flying, due to the ecological impact. I found that the “soldier’s crawl” position was the best to adopt to get some shut-eye. Jeans, T-shirts, and shorts will work. I have looked some, but found little, perhaps due to my inexperience. Have read a few articles now and can’t work out how freight travel works in terms of exploring a destination on land. I wish I were not so prone to seasickness, this sounds incredible. You have a valid passport or can get one in time for the trip. Most travel agents do not book freighter voyages. Cruise the Inside Passage of coastal British Columbia and experience the magic of travel aboard the MV Aurora Explorer,a working freight ship, based out of Campbell River, … I work out which boats go where by googling it, by calling port authorities or by going to the port. 5:14 pm. 3:12 am, Do cargo ships have internet access? These large engines produce a lot of carbon discharge, making decks D and E, where passenger cabins are usually located, quite dirty. Accordingly, there can be a significant amount of pitch and roll, depending on the size of the ship, the amount of cargo, and the weather. In its day it was an excellent book that day was back in 1995. Home Good for emails and chat or iMessaging. The Aranui 5 is a deluxe passenger freighter cruise from Tahiti to the Marquesas islands and Bora Bora.The ship was designed to deliver supplies and carry visitors to the most remote islands of the … Thanks for the comment. Outside of the mental/health appeal of slow travel, it is much more environmentally friendly (as freighters carry cargo regardless of passenger, so your journey is essentially carbon neutral). We’re together every day, all day. Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks. Really enjoyed it. I was on a French ship with a French chef, so the meals were quite good. Unlike people doing really early planning for a trip later in the year, I’m aiming to make my move in a very short period of time (1-2 weeks). My wife and I are planning a trip. NO! “You want to know how to make a small fortune in the container ship business? 1) Yes. Not worth it, IMO. Great article! I could only send and receive email via a custom address CMA-CGM set up for me. But they probably know enough to stabilize you for a few days until you’re closer to land. Exploring the ship and chatting with the crew, A laptop with some movies and TV shows loaded up and ready to watch, Might be the only option for the route you want to travel. I know this may vary by ship and port, but what were your experiences? Ships have many stairs and they are steep, so hold on at all times. Then hop a freighter and sail the seven seas like a real voyager! Other than the mess steward, there is no one to tip other than the cook, and then only if the food is exceptional. Cargo ship travel will cost you about $125-$145 per day. Hi Niall. Thank you. People respond to that. Is it just for the experience? Niall, I might add that I am no “Spring chicken” but when I read that there is a cut-off age, that was it, I’m going before my number comes up. This corona ordeal has made me think hard of an alternative mode of transportation and you answered all my questions and cleared my doubts on the very first search I did on the subject.