BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Budget Travel Frieghter travel - a cheaper alternative

yes, you read the caption correctly- freighter travel. You know those big ships that transport containers? well, on some of them, you can book a room for 1 or 2 people and travel on a ship! My mother and I are going on one at the end of the year. You see, my family is moving to england (I'm currentl in New Zealand) the problem is that my Mum CAN NOT fly in an aeroplane and my dad CAN NOT be shipped over on a boat. So my sister and dad are going by sky and mum and i are going by freighter. We will dine with the captain and any other passengers (theres a limit of 5 on our ship)every evening. The trip will take a total of 37 days. We stop off at melbourne, adelaide, singapore, columbo, damieta(egypt) la spezia (italy) and tilbury, where we hop off.
So do you think I'm crazy? or do you think it's a good idea? post your thoughts! [color:"purple"] [/color]

Wow that sounds interesting, how did you find out about that mode of travel? What will you do during the day - do you have to help out around the ship?

Danielle

I've heard thats actually a very interesting way to travel. One drawback though is the cost, it's quite a bit, no? Like you, if you're moving to another country, you can pack all your stuff on to the freighter and travel with it. One way you to feel secure about your belongings being shipped overseas. Have fun, safe journeys!

me again <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

When you ask what we're going to do all day, well, on days when we won't be in port, we're bringing on an enormous supply of books and the entire series of star trek voyager, which we will be able to watch either in the main lounge area or on my mums laptop. We will find other things to occupy ourselves. For example, there is a small gym on board where we can get some exercise in. There can be swimming pools on freighters too, although we don't have one on this particular freighter.
as for the cost, well, yes it is quite a bit. However, compared to a cruise, it seems very, very cheap. Sure, you can get a rooom on the cruise ship for only $5000 more, but those are the lowest and smallest rooms. They are below the deck and have no windows, so not very nice for the claustrophobic.
Thank you for your posts <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> its nice to hear from other peoples views

It would be so interesting to hear how this trip turned out!

Xzeokath, are you there? Let us know!

Cheers,

jill

Amazing travel it will be but 35 days is somewhat long I think. How many days you will spend on those cities on your way (mentioned above)? I hope you have enough fruits and vegetables there and have convenient meal, crew and passengers. About the price you mentioned, is it by USA dollar?