Does the thought of cruising the high seas give you a huge adrenaline rush? Does the idea of sailing into exotic or ancient ports send you searching for a passport and suitcase?
For many of us, the answer is "yes" until we check the bank account balances.
Although there are many ways to find deep discounts on cruises, one of the biggest money-savers is unknown to most travelers: passage on a cargo ship or freighter.
Freighter Cons
This option is not for people who enjoy dressing for dinner, captain's cocktail parties and midnight buffet suppers. Special dietary needs usually are not accommodated, and there are virtually no planned activities other than meals.
Obviously, these are serious drawbacks for some people, even budget travelers. Freighter itineraries are often longer, too. A four-night getaway is not possible in most situations. You'll need two weeks to perhaps four months of free time.
Freighter Pros
Still with me? Let's start with the savings: fares are generally one-third to one-half the total for conventional luxury cruises, according to Margi Mostue, Retired President of Freighter World Cruises. Mostue says the average total cost aboard a freighter is about $100 USD/day per passenger.
There are no planned activities, but the trade-off is there are no crowds. A typical freighter only can accommodate about 20 passengers--and many take less than that. You can spend the day on deck in a lounge chair, reading your favorite book with no disturbances.
Many freighters do offer basics like an exercise room, reading room and VCR movies.
One traditional cruise activity that will be better on a freighter is the bridge tour. The ship's officers are likely to have much more time for your questions. Mostue says many freighter passengers actually forge life-long friendships with crew members.
Where are we going?
Freighterworld.com offers a variety of schedules around the world.
One trip takes you from Los Angeles to Mexico, through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic, with stops in Valencia, Spain and Genoa, Italy before a return trip to Los Angeles via Cartagena, Colombia. Whew! That 50-day excursion runs $5000 USD, right on that $100/day average.
How about a 16-day voyage from Tahiti to/from the Marquesas Islands? These are spectacular stops rarely found on standard tourist itineraries. Fares start at about $2000 USD per person, or $125/day.
The Bergen Line used to be a well-kept secret, but now has grown into a passenger/cargo combination. The ships delivered mail in Scandinavia, mainly along Norway's gorgeous western coast. Bergen now offers a dozen ships that explore fairly small segments of that region.
