Thread: Freighter/Container ship sailing

Hi,

I have always been interested in a freighter or container sailing. While I love the food, the spa, the foo foo drinks, the pampering, the dining, enjoy a private balcony etec on a regular cruise, you do not get a lot of time on any one island. Freighter cruising sometimes gives you two or eventhree days in a port. And they go to several ports. My husband thinks I am nuts, but I have always been an independent, brave sort of gal and roughing it a bit won't hurt me, of that I am fairlly certain. I just don't want to get too much older before I decide to do this. I believe they may have some age limits.

So my question is has anyone been on this type of voyage? Where can I get info on this? Where can I find/read what others experiences were on this type of cruise.

Thanks Annieeee

Here are some sites to get you started

Freighter Cruise and Travel Club Int'l (Since 1958)

Why Freighter Travel?

Freighter Bum - Cruising FAQ

Freighter Travel - Jump on a Tramp Steamer -- The Cheap Way to Cruise is Freig

Freighter Cruises

Thank you Char. I just spent about 45 minutes at the Maris freighter.com site. Quite interesting. Definitely something I am considering. Maybe in about 3 or 4 years. I know my husband is not interested, but I do have a friend that is quite brave and she may be interested provided that she can find someone to take care of her doggie.

Annieeee

Annieee, have you lost your marbles? That would scare the heck out of me. No foo foo drinks?

Originally Posted by Annieeee

.... My husband thinks I am nuts....

Hear you! I've tried to talk my DH into considering doing this. He thinks I've totally lost my mind ....

Originally Posted by hanna

Annieee, have you lost your marbles? That would scare the heck out of me. No foo foo drinks?

Hanna, I'll just take a whole bunch of those teeny umbrellas and stick them in my drinks. I just want to do it once. Have you looked at the Aranui3 ? It was built to be a freighter but to also carry passengers. My friends have no sense of adventure. Gee, I can do without the pampering for a few weeks. When do you want to go? Lulu you packed yet?

Annieeee

Annieee, you have met my DH. Now you know why I won't be packing for this one

While you have NOT my DH, .... same reply as Hanna! I won't be packing either!

On one of our cruises we met a gentleman who said that before his wife died they had done a few freighter cruises.

At that time he was 70 and they would no longer allow him to go on a freighter.

One thing his wife didn't like -- too often the cargo was pilled so high their small window was blocked.

No entertainment in the evening - some of the freighters had a piano - but one of the passengers had to know how to play.

Many times they had problems getting taxis in the freight areas to travel around in the ports - and this was before 9/11.

And there are no stablizers on a freighter -- you are on your own if the freighter hits a storm - no nurse or doctor on many of them.

NO WAY DO I WANT TO GO ON A FREIGHTER.

Yonnie, glad to know you haven't lost your marbles.