|
|
|||
|
Informality reigns on freighters. Passengers are not required to dress for meals. Men can leave their ties and ladies their cocktail attire at home. Freighters do not offer any preplanned activities such as cruise ships do and mealtimes are the only daily structure. Before my first freighter cruise experience in 1980, I thought a freighter cruise might be boring and without enough activity. But I found that my days disappeared quickly and I was busy all the time. Most freighters offer a small exercise room, swimming pool and TV for viewing a selection of video movies. On most ships it is possible to walk completely around the main deck and this is always a popular exercise pastime for passengers. How many of us take the time to relax on an uncrowded deck in a comfortable deck chair with a good book and binoculars in hand? Just watch the ocean go by and experience the occasional dolphins, whales, fish and sea birds in your path. These are some of life's special moments and partly what freighter cruising is all about. Freighter passengers enjoy contact with the officers and crew and often become part of the shipboard family. Many passengers have navy, coast guard or merchant marine experience and love the opportunity to get back to sea and be a part of a working ship. Time spent on the bridge and the ensuing conversations with officers are special experiences not possible on cruise ships where passengers in groups of 30 or more are given bridge tours. Most foreign flagged freighters are liberal with bridge visitation and unrestricted bridge visitation is not uncommon. With passenger loads typically from 2 to 12 passengers, lasting friendships are often formed between passengers and also with officers. Passengers generally eat the same meals as the officers. No special diets are accommodated. Passengers can expect a well-balanced and varied menu, which while not fancy is at times of excellent quality. Why cruise by freighter? For a change of pace away from crowds, you may discover that freighter cruising is a way of traveling you'll love. A motto of Freighter World Cruises is, "If you have the time to relax and a cruising spirit, a friendly freighter waits for you." |
| Cal. Reg. #1018027-10. |
Passengers
travel on freighters for a variety of reasons including fun,
relaxation, adventure, no crowds, companionship, and the informal
atmosphere onboard. Some passengers use a transatlantic crossing
or a segment of a longer itinerary as leisurely transportation
from Point A to Point B, but most passengers book a freighter
cruise for its full itinerary with durations from 2 weeks to
5 months. Freighter fares typically range from about $90-$130
per person per day, inclusive of all meals on board.