Want To Travel A Little Different? Choose A Cargo Ship
If you want to travel around the world, you may want to choose a commercial cruise liner that has everything to make you comfortable from pools on the deck, fine dining, etc. If you want to travel a little differently, you can travel using a cargo ship instead.
Benefits of Traveling Via a Cargo Ship
Traveling by cargo ship is much more intimate than if you travel commercial. You may not have all of the organized games and other activities, but you will be able to dine sitting next to the crew and captain. If the crew plays a poker game or something else each night, they may ask you to join in.
With many commercial ships, people get dressed up to go to dinner at night. With a cargo ship, you can go with a shorts and T-shirt and fit right in with everyone else. They also have breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, and you can visit the ship's cook to get a snack if you want.
The ship may not be near as crowded, because traveling via a cargo ship is not as popular as one of the larger commercial ships. The crew can be very helpful for you, as they will help you bring on your luggage, and you will not have to worry about your luggage getting mixed in with someone else's.
You Must Be Flexible
Traveling by cargo ship is not for someone that needs a set schedule. You never know how long it is going to take to get from one place to another. If the ship stops at a port and there is no cargo to load, they will immediately leave and head to the next one. Transporting cargo is the ship's main job, so it comes as a priority before any travelers. It will also take you much longer to reach your destination in most cases, as the cargo ship may make a lot of stops along the way.
Travel Tips
Traveling by cargo requires walking up and down stairs, and there is no medical doctor on board the ship. Because there are only so many cabins on this type of ship, you should book yours well in advance. Seasickness can also be a factor as the ride on this type of ship may be a little rougher, especially if there is bad weather and the ocean starts to sway the ship back and forth.
You should also make sure to bring along with you things like books, music, board games, cards, etc., as you will have to create your own fun.