It is still possible to travel on a freighter – not the tramp steamers of old, but a massive, scheduled container ship. Companies offer minimal numbers of cabins on freighters in service around the world.
You have a cabin, but the only difference between you and the crew is that your cabin is nicer and you don’t have to work.
Some information I’ve found so far:
- CMA CGM (Partir en Cargo)
- Rickmers Line
- Maris Freighter and Specialty Cruises
- Cruise Critic Freighter discussion
This is on my bucket list, because I want to experience the sea – there are few distractions, no excursions, no casino, just a ship across the oceans.
The challenges?
- My wife has no interest, and with no medical services on board, it’s a gamble for her, anyway.
- It is quite the time commitment – an Atlantic crossing can take 15 days or more (it can take twice as long as a cruise ship’s crossing.)
- There are no schedule guarantees – if the ship has to wait for cargo, you just stay in port.
- You may get a shortened cruise, based on shipping requirements.
The advantages?
- It is quite the time commitment – the perfect time to finish that novel or write your autobiography.
- You will share the ship with the crew, and maybe 10-12 other people, max. Hopefully, no idiots on their first cruise.
- I’m pretty sure you can visit the bridge.
- You may get a longer cruise, based on shipping requirements.
- You can pretend to be a sailor more convincingly than on a floating hotel.
I still want to do it! This page is to track information as I find it.