Freighter Travel
Image of cargo ship Colombo Express courtesy of Hohum, wikimedia commons.
With some cruise ships accommodating upwards of six thousand people, enough shops and restaurants to fit in your local shopping centre three times over and regular daily routines that consist of twenty four hour piped music, wall to wall children’s entertainment and non stop organised activities for the grown ups, a voyage upon one of today’s modern cruise ships could well be considered by some to be nothing short of organised chaos.
So if you love to cruise, but hate the thought of travelling aboard a modern cruise ship with it’s high number of passengers, organised activities and safety issues ? Well don’t be, cruising does not begin and end with these vast floating cities. For the more discerning cruise goer, there is freighter travel, cruising with a difference, and you can find out all about it right here…..
On the other hand if you do want wall to wall luxury, to be waited on hand and foot, fine dining experiences, onboard swimming pools and a daily massage, a freighter cruise is definitely not the cruise for you.
What is freighter travel?
One of the travel industry’s best kept secrets. It’s travel onboard a cargo ship, otherwise known as a container ship or freighter.
Several major freight lines offer between five to fifteen passenger cabins aboard their vessels.
Who takes freighter cruises ?
Those of you who want plenty of peace, quiet and solitude in order to relax, read a good book, take in the views and who don’t mind the stimulation of an all round working environment and don’t want the hassle of organised activities, twenty four hour announcements, having to listen to precocious children and over bearing people and can’t bear the thought of being targeted by pushy ship’s stewards or over zealous entertainers.
Is a freighter cruise right for everyone?
Unfortunately due to the lack of medical facilities aboard a freighter, pregnant women, children under sixteen and those over sixty five are considered a health risk and therefore not allowed to travel onboard a freighter.
Those with mobility issues may find freighter cruises problematic too, as there are no lifts or wheelchair access onboard.
You could be the only passenger onboard, the ship’s crew may not speak your language, there will be no organised entertainment and the journey time will be long. Because of this, a freighter cruise may not be right for those of you that get bored easily or enjoy socialising.
Where do freighters travel to?
Freighters travel all over the world, one company even does a four month long, round the world cruise.
Freighters and container ships travel on the busiest shipping routes in the world, and unlike cruise ships which generally only sail at night, they travel both by day and by night.
Do remember that freighters only dock at busy working ports, where there are no transport links, so any trips into the local town will have to be organised by yourself .
What facilities are there on a freighter cruise?
A one or two berthed cabin with sea views and private washing and toilet facilities.
Onboard services include three good meals a day, taken at one sitting with the ship’s captain and crew, which will include lively banter and interesting conversation.
Large deck areas for sunbathing or leisurely strolls. Although there will be certain restricted areas.
A mess room.
An onboard library.
What luggage should I take on a freighter cruise?
Books, hand held games or other types of personal entertainment.
Laundry detergent, as there are no onboard laundry services.
Casual clothing, as a freighter is a working ship and you may get dirty whilst walking around.
All the toiletries that you require for the whole journey – soap, shower gel, toothpaste, shampoo, nail files, razors - as there is no way of buying any once onboard.
Money in the form of cash, in case you stop off at a visiting port.
Any snacks, sweets or treats that you may need whilst aboard ship. You may need to show these items to the ship’s captain incase of import regulations imposed by the countries you visit.
If the ship is owned and operated by an Islamic company or crew remember that alcohol and pork products may not be allowed onboard.
Any medication that you may require during the journey, such as headache pills, sea sickness remedies, mosquito repellant.
What documentation do I need for a freighter cruise?
A valid passport which will remain in date until you return home.
A medical certificate of good health, as there will be no resident doctor aboard, therefore the ship’s captain needs to know that you are fit and well.
Travel insurance.
Trip cancellation insurance, as freighter schedules are notorious for constantly changing plans, although container ships are not and generally operate to a regulated schedule.
Onward travel documents for when you leave the ship. New international security regulations mean you must show these onward travel documents to your captain before you can travel.
Visas for any countries that you may be docking at. Please organise these from the relevant embassies or consulates before you travel.
Several small photographs of yourself for visa purposes, in case you have to enter a country you were not expecting to.
Are freighter cruises safe?
The larger freight and shipping companies will have stringent safety rules put into place, which you must adhere to.
Once aboard the freighter you will be instructed on all safety measures, including fire drill, evacuation procedures and any regulations concerning smoking onboard, where you can safely walk or sunbathe on deck and any other concerns that the ship’s captain may need to point out to you.
Certain areas of the world are notorious for inclement weather, piracy, and civil unrest. Unfortunately working vessels have to travel through these areas, but you don’t have to, so for your own safety, please make yourself aware of these trouble spots before you travel.
Do bear in mind that health and safety could be an issue with smaller, lesser known companies.
What is the price of a freighter cruise?
Different freighter lines charge different rates, but be prepared to pay between £50 - £100 ( $100 - $200 ) a day.
These prices are cheap when compared to a regular cruise ship, but remember there are few amenities onboard, little choice in the way of meals and the journey time will be considerably longer.
Which companies offer freighter cruises?
There are several large freight companies that offer this service, as well as many smaller shipping companies, but remember that the smaller the company, the lower health and safety standards may be.
Some of the larger companies have waiting lists of up to a year, yet some smaller companies could accommodate you at the port side.
Below are some links to a couple of excellent websites which can help you in your choice.
