What is a cargo cruise – Business Insider
Cargo cruises take a small
number of passengers around the world on all-inclusive,
one-of-a-kind voyages.
Darren
Whiteside/Reuters
The INSIDER Summary:
• Cargo cruises offer a super cheap way to see the
world.
• They’re not as popular or luxurious as regular cruise
ships, but they have their charm.
• A voyage costs between $65 and $125 per day, including
lodging and meals.
There’s no climbing wall or karaoke to be found. No uniforms or
luxury restaurants. And there are only a handful of
passengers. In other words, cargo cruises are a little bit
different than your classic cruise ships.
On cargo cruises, passengers join crew members on monstrous
container ships that deliver goods to ports across the
globe. Aside from being a unique immersive experience, it’s
a way to see the world for a fraction of the cost of
plane tickets or regular cruises.
Here’s what you need to know before embarking on the open seas in
a cargo ship.
To book a cargo cruise, you’ll need to go through an agent that
specializes in cargo cruise travel.
There’s a reason you probably haven’t heard of cargo cruises —
most travel agents don’t book them. You’ll need to go
through an agent that specializes in cargo cruise travel
or get in touch with a ship’s manager.
Freighter voyages usually require months of advance planning, but
they rarely have set schedules. Arrivals and departures can
depend on how long it takes to load or unload cargo, how
busy a port is, and weather conditions. Sometimes, a
departure window is given instead of an exact date. Bottom line:
flexibility is a must.
It’s cheaper (and cooler) than flying.
Yuriko
Nakao/Reuters
Cargo cruises cost between $65 and $125 per day, which
includes lodging and three meals a day. Voyages usually last
between 40 and 50 days, but some people opt for segmented trips
that last a few weeks, leaving on a boat, disembarking at a port,
and returning home by plane.
For example, a round trip from the US to New Zealand lasts about
46 days. At $65 a day, that comes to just under $3,000 for a
month and a half of all-inclusive, full-time travel.
It’s not a luxury liner, but it’s pretty great.
A photo posted by @ytp84 on Dec 7, 2016 at 7:27pm PST on
Dec 7, 2016 at 7:27pm PST
Cargo ships are utilitarian boats. They don’t have
stabilizers, but with a big enough ship and a heavy enough load
of cargo, you won’t feel the waves. There are also lots of
stairs, so hold on to the railings and wear sturdy shoes.
The accommodations are spacious and comfortable, as nice as those
on regular cruise ships. And since container ships don’t take
more than a dozen passengers, there’s plenty of room to spread
out.
You’ll have to keep yourself entertained.
A photo posted by Starr Smith (@starrsy7) on Dec 31, 2016 at 9:45pm PST on
Dec 31, 2016 at 9:45pm PST
The crew is there to work, not entertain, but everyone on the
ship eats meals together, which gives you plenty of great
opportunities to chat. There’s no wifi, and phone access is
limited to a ship’s single satellite phone, so make sure you come
equipped with plenty of books, games, writing materials, knitting
projects, or whatever will keep you occupied. There will also be
gorgeous views of sunrises, sunsets, and constellations to marvel
at.
Most ships also feature a rec room, bar, and
swimming pool. Some even have a sauna and a gym.
Is traveling on a container ship for you? If you’ve got a
flexible schedule and a sense of adventure, go for it.
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