For years, adventurous travelers have been able to sail around the world in a luxury cabin for not that much money by renting one onboard container ships. The rise of piracy has made it so a bunch of shipping companies have dropped that option, but you can experience the same thrill vicariously by checking out the dispatches from a Slate reporter who has taken the plunge and got herself in one of these sweet cabins. All is not beauty and mystery, there's work to be done. Like watching for pirates.
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Many years ago, I was a passenger on a container ship. It was a 3-week voyage, from New York to Melbourne, Australia. We went through the Panama Canal as part of the route. The only stop we had was in Cristóbal, in the canal zone. The ship refueled there, as the fuel oil was much cheaper there than anywhere else along the route.
ReplyDeleteIn those days (mid-1970's) most freighter ships had provisions for up to 12 passengers. I believe that the ships would have been required to have a full-time physician on board if more passengers were allowed, hence the 12 person limit.
The accommodations were first class, with large roomy cabins, a rather large lounge area, 3 meals a day, etc.
Amenities such as pools, spas, etc. are not available as one might find on a typical cruise ship.
The actual ship I was on was called the SS Austral Endurance, and can be viewed here.