Slow Travel Adventures by Sea
Freighter or cargo ship travel might be a lot more fun – and affordable – than you'd think
Ah, life at sea… the brisk salt air, unexpected marine life encounters, soaring birds catching a ride in your wake. And the views. Endless horizon and shape-shifting skies for days.
If you haven’t considered slow travel by sea before, you definitely should.
Catching a boat across the ocean is an opportunity to get off the grid and relax; perhaps to work on that book you’ve wanted to write, if only you could find the time?
It could be your time to work offline on a project, free of distraction and the pressures of modern-day life.
It’s a great way to explore far-flung parts of the world without having to pack and unpack your suitcase each time.
This is truly getting away from it all.
Slow travel by sea isn’t for everyone. It isn’t even for me yet, as I need to be connected to the Internet for my work. Given that the average freighter route is 30-50 days, with around-the-world sailings up to 100 days, it’s not an option for me… yet. One day, though.
Maybe it’s an option for you right now. If not, we can dream together. For those searching for a different type of adventure – or looking to visit other parts of the world without flying – the trips you’ll find below are worth a look.
The Netherlands to Cuba and Back Again
Sparrows, owl, herons and others are known to have hitched rides across vast stretches of ocean aboard ships, giving a whole new meaning to “free as a bird.” You could travel from Rotterdam to Cuba, or Halifax to Balboa, without ever setting foot in an airplane.
Traveling aboard freighters and mail carriers opens a whole new world of possibility for those afraid of (or ethically opposed to) flying. Many consider it a carbon-neutral way to travel as the ship is going anyway – passengers or not. Freighters also offer a slower, gentler pace of travel that appeals to many without a strict schedule or the need for constant connectivity.
There’s no program, so you’re on your own for entertainment. Freighter crew are there to get their cargo from A to B, not to serve passenger needs. Cargo cabins aren’t luxurious, but you’ll be comfortable.
Passengers are usually welcome on the bridge, so long as you stay out of the officers’ way.
How are the prices? Well, a one-way ticket from Rotterdam to Cuba with a stop in Aruba will run you 1760€.
You could stay on board for six weeks and do the entire run from Rotterdam to Bilboa, Halifax, Cuba, Aruba, and back to Rotterdam for 4620€.
Cuban layovers are typically 3-6 days in port, giving you time to get off the ship and explore. You’ll take buffet-style meals with the crew, and your fare includes non-alcoholic beverages, too.
This fare is available through the Slowtravel Experience website.
North America to Asia via the Panama Canal
Here’s a route with a company called Voyages en Cargo that takes you from Manhattan to South Korea and three ports in China, via the Panama Canal. The entire sailing is 77 days, but fares are a daily rate so you can disembark midway if you choose.
And at 100€ a day for a double cabin (110€ for a single), including full board, this is attainable for many. Think of how much your rent or mortgage, food, transportation, and communication expenses are every month… 3000€ for all of that plus the experience of traveling the world suddenly doesn’t seem so out of reach.
Ports of call on this sailing include Norfolk, Virginia; Savannah, Georgia; Busan, South Korea; and Shanghai, China.
Onboard services include a gym, library, and TV with DVD player, so you aren’t confined to your cabin by any means.
Check out pricing and find more information on the Voyages en Cargo website.
Northern Europe to Cape Town for 100€ a Day
Here’s another offering from Slowtravel Experience, with both round-trip and one-way fares available.
The Hamburg to South Africa cargo route is approximately 12 weeks round trip and may make stops in:
Antwerp, Belgium
Lisbon, Portugal
Walvis Bay, Namibia
Cape Town, Durban, and Richards Bay, South Africa
Rotterdam, Netherlands
You can do the entire route roundtrip over 86 days, for 8600€ including full room and board.
Other options include Antwerp to Cape Town (27 days, 2700€), Hamburg to Cape Town (31 days, 3100€), or Durban to Rotterdam for the south to north route (30 days, 3000€).
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