Travellers not Tourists
To someone who may never before have contemplated a
voyage on a cargo ship, it is often a mystery why anyone would
rather travel in this manner than fly or take a cruise. Here are
answers to some of the questions we are most often asked – we
hope you will be persuaded to join the ranks of converted freighter
voyagers.
Who travels by cargo ship?
There are several different categories of cargo ship passengers.
There are those who can’t or won’t fly and need to get from A to B.
Cruise ships tend to go from A back to A again so the only way to travel without
flying to, say, Canada is by freighter. Also, most cargo ships operate year round,
whereas cruise ships tend to follow the sun with seasonal schedules.
Others just love being at sea, but dislike the frenetic pace and crowds that cruise
ships offer.
Some find it an ideal way to isolate themselves from the distractions of shore
life in order to carry out a project, such as writing a book.
Because of the flexibility required, those taking the longer itineraries tend
to be of retirement age, but this is not necessarily the case with shorter voyages.
Generally cargo voyagers are independent, well-travelled and sometimes downright
eccentric - in short, travellers, not tourists.
Will I have to swab the decks and sleep in a hammock?
Definitely not! You are a fare-paying passenger on the ship and the accommodation
is usually spacious and comfortable (see Cabin Comforts).
How come it’s more expensive than flying?
Because it takes longer! A flight from Europe to Sydney takes about 20 hours,
on a ship it’s more like 31 days during which time you’re being fed
and accommodated. And no, it’s not possible to “work your passage”.
Most container ships these days have a total complement of 20 or less officers
and crew, all of whom are certified seaman. The shipping companies do not employ
casual labour.
What’s included in the fare?
Your fare includes accommodation, all meals and port taxes (unless otherwise stated).
You will have to budget for incidental expenses on board, such as drinks, cigarettes,
toiletry items and tips for your steward.
How many passengers will there be?
Maritime law states that if a ship carries more than 12 passengers, there has
to be a doctor on board. Therefore you will not have more than 11 other fellow
passengers, though in practice the average is probably 5 or 6. Often ships sail
without filling the passenger cabins, so you could find that you are the only
passenger or couple on board. Some people prefer to be alone, others enjoy the
companionship of others, but there is no way to guarantee at the time of booking
whether you will or won’t have company.
Will I be expected to make my own bed?
There is generally a steward or stewardess on board to look after passengers –
making your bed, changing linen and towels and cleaning your cabin. Often he or
she will be the same person who serves you in the Officers’ Restaurant.
Please note that meals cannot be served in cabins.
What will I do all day?
See Bored on Board? If this sort of life doesn’t sound attractive, then
a freighter voyage is probably not for you.
What happens when we arrive at a port?
Container terminals are often situated well outside the main town or city, so
you will find that taxis are essential. Sometimes the port agent can be prevailed
upon to order one for you, but it is best to speak to the Captain or an officer
before arrival since they will usually have a wealth of local knowledge about
the ports of call.
You will be told before disembarking at what time the ship is likely to sail and
you must ensure you are back by then – the ship won’t wait! However
you may find that there has been a delay to sailing and you needn’t have
returned so soon – this is all part of the experience of freighter voyaging!
What nationalities are the ships and crew?
On many ships, the Captain and senior officers tend to be of the same
nationality as the shipping company. In the Destinations and Prices pages we indicate for each
itinerary where the shipping company is based. However, the rest of the
crew will be a veritable United Nations of assorted nationalities,
coming from the Philippines, Eastern Europe, Russia, the Baltic States,
India, Poland - the list goes on.
English is spoken to some extent (often very well) by the Captain and officers
(English is the international maritime language) and in many cases by crew members,
though a crash course in sign language is probably advisable before you embark!
Will the Captain and officers socialise with me?
Not in the way they do on cruise ships. It is not part of their job description
to be “passenger friendly” but in most cases they are and sometimes
more so than their cruise ship counterparts. However you are on a working ship
and the work comes first, so don’t expect them to be at your beck and call
whenever you encounter them. In some cases the language barrier can be a factor
and this may give a mistaken impression of brusqueness.
Are the ships stabilised?
No, since stabilisers tend to slow a ship down. However the larger the ship and
the greater the amount of cargo carried, the more stable she will tend to be.
Can you guarantee that my voyage will depart and arrive on the scheduled dates?
Absolutely not!
Although on most routes the ships do have schedules, they don’t necessarily
stick to them. Various factors such as weather, port congestion, dock strikes,
cargo loading and unloading difficulties, etc. can conspire to delay a vessel
for several days or even weeks. Sometimes ports are missed, ships transferred
to other routes and schedules completely revamped at very short notice. Consequently
vessels may even sail some days earlier than planned. As your travel agent, as
soon as we are advised of a schedule change by the shipping company, we pass on
the information to you. But we cannot emphasise enough how important it is for
you to be flexible with your dates.
If, for example, someone was contemplating taking a voyage to Auckland to be at
their daughter’s wedding a week after the scheduled arrival date of the
ship, we would strongly recommend that they go by air.
By the same token, if you are going by ship one way to, for instance Hong Kong,
staying a few days and then flying back home, we would urge you to book a fully
flexible air ticket which can be changed at little or no cost. To do otherwise
would be false economy.
You should also bear in mind that if you cancel your voyage because of a change
of departure date, all the shipping companies have their own Terms and Conditions
which state that this is not deemed to be sufficient grounds to avoid cancellation
charges.
Talking about flights, can you book them for me?
Strand Voyages is a division of Strand Travel Ltd, which is a fully bonded ABTA
travel agency. To complete your holiday plans, we can quote competitive prices
for flights, hotels, car hire and tours in conjunction with your voyage.
You’ve convinced me – how far ahead do I have to book?
If you are heading for one of the more popular destinations, such as Australia,
it is usually necessary to plan 12 to 18 months ahead, though a few cabins may
be available earlier. Other voyages, particularly the shorter ones, can be booked
a couple of months in advance. If it is necessary to obtain a visa, for example
for the USA (the US Visa Waiver scheme does not apply to cargo ships), then the
processing time has to be taken into account.
How do I book?
Look through our Destinations and Prices pages.
When you have chosen your itinerary, please fill in the booking enquiry form or ring, email, fax or write to us and we will
check the dates and availability of the voyage you have picked.
I’ve got lots more questions about voyages…
Have a look through the rest of this website, especially the Frequently Asked
Questions. If you can’t find the answers you need, give us a call and we’ll
do our best to help you.
I don’t think a freighter voyage is what I’m looking for, but I’d like to consider a cruise.
No problem, call us on +44 (0)20 7766 8220 and ask to speak to our Cruise Specialist
who will be happy to offer recommendations and make your booking for you!
