Cargo Ship Travel Back To Action, Creates Buzz

With a cargo ship, it may take in excess of a month to reach one’s destination instead of 14 hours by flight today. But what are the longest trips on which one can get lost at sea? Here is what to expect on some of the ultra-long voyages.

No Opportunity To Blow The Budget

One perk of traveling by cargo ship is that one needn’t unexpectedly blow one’s budget.

It costs around $100-$120 a day (from as low as $70 per day) and that includes meals etc.

After that, there just isn’t anything one can blow one’s money on even if one wants to (unlike normal holidays).

There are no shops, no bars or pubs (typically no alcohol – a cargo ship is workspace), no cigarettes, no taxis, no shopping malls, or really anything else to empty one’s pocket.

• Included: Meals Are Included
• Facilities: There Is Normally A Swimming Pool, Gym, Lounge, and TV Available

Long Routes

Some of the longest routes are to Australia and New Zealand, if one would like to voyage one’s way down this corner of the word, then one should plan in advance. Australia is a country of only 26 million people and New Zealand is around 5 million.

So there is not the sheer volume of cargo vessels heading to these countries as are heading to East Asia and North America. While at the same time the routes are popular. Voyage Down Under (or for New Zealand that’s down under the Down Under).

• Australia & New Zealand: Plan Ahead For These Routes

With those routes, one should plan in advance as they can book out months in advance.

Other very long routes are from North America to East Asia, from East to South America, From Europe to East Asia, and from Europe to South America. These routes can often be booked one way or return. These voyages are frequently well in excess of a month.

• 97 Nights: London To Australia Return – From €12,742pp ($14,500) (2 Sharing)

How long these routes also depend on how many ports and for how long the cargo ship calls into on the way (a cargo ship heading to New Zealand is likely to call into Australia en route). Also, cargo ship schedules are always changing, one must be flexible – it could take a couple of days for the ship to be able to enter the harbor. All departure/arrival and durations are just estimates.

• Estimates: All Dates and Durations Are Estimates

The Longest voyages listed on Cargo Ship Voyages are for a whopping 97 nights – spend a quarter of the year at sea! These are return trips from Europe to Australasia.

Europe – Australia Via Suez Canal

This voyage is listed on Cargo Ship Voyages and slowly meanders its way from Antwerp in Belgium to Sydney, Australia. This is an approximately 41 night-long commitment.

• Duration: Approx. 41 Nights
• Cost: From Around €5,462 ($6,200) Per Person

Some things to keep in mind, in some places it is forbidden to disembark – for this voyage, it is forbidden to disembark in Egypt. English is spoken on these international cargo ships and one must have a passport valid for more than 6 months after the final stop. On this voyage, it is mandatory to have a yellow fever vaccination.

One will also need a Visa ETA for Sri Lanka and Australia.

Germany to Uruguay Via Brazil

This long voyage goes from Hamburg to Rio de Janeiro and then onto Montevideo. Its exact route is Hamburg, Germany, Dakar, Senegal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Paranagua, Brazil, Montevideo, Uruguay (then return via England).

This can be booked one way or return. It departs every two months, while it is not nearly as long as a voyage to New Zealand or other routes, it is an example of a long Atlantic crossing. There is also the option of going with a vehicle for an extra fee.

• Fare: From 60 Euros ($70) Per Day
• Total: 1,970 Euros ($2,200) – German to Uruguay (Max Fare 5,373 Euros or $6,000)
• Duration: Approx. 31 Days (Return Over 65 Days)
• Ship: Cap San Augustin, Size 118,938 TDW, Built 2013
• Ship Facilities: Swimming Pool (inside), Sauna, Exercise Room, Table Tennis, TV
• Cabin Facilities: Option of Double Cabin And Single Cabin (Note View Maybe Blocked By Containers)
• Age: Minumum Age 6, Max 79

If cargo ship is not for you, just stick to the more luxurious (but lengthy) cruises around the Caribbean and beyond.