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Guide to Freighter Travel

Sure, a leisurely cruise aboard a five-star ocean liner, a.k.a floating resort, is fun, but let's be honest here, not at all exciting. They slip the next day's events list under your door before you're even back from dinner. Not exactly living by the seat of your pants, eh?

Well, consider ocean travel by freighter to add a little spice to your seafaring. Are you serious, you ask? Those big, stinky, ugly ocean tankers offer travel opportunities? Oh yes, we answer. Real ones, not just for rats and castaways...

Check out the Internet Guide to Freighter Travel. It's got it all, from FAQ's to freighter agents to common routes to how to deal with seasickness, written by a frequent freighter traveler. Basically freighter travel works like this: you book a trip with a 'freighter agent' (not a regular travel agent) several months in advance from any major world port and they then tender your voyage depending on where you want to go, you hop on board with the other 12 or so passengers and while away your sweet time. Most trips last a min. of 40-50 days. It will cost you close to $65 a day with meals for a double occ. room. There are no guarantees on your fellow passengers' friendliness, but all meals are served communally in the mess hall with the ship's officers.

Also-if you suffer from motion sickness, forget it. A 985-foot freighter does not have the same 'stabilizers' as a cruise ship, you'll know when it's rocky. But for a cheap, extended way to get from LA to Hamburg, you can't beat it. As long as you don't mind the robust scent of diesel fuel.