One of the defining aspects of my trip will be that I remain on the surface of the Earth constantly. As this rules out airplanes, it makes ocean crossing one of the bigger logistic hurdles to jump. Until they build a bridge across the Atlantic or a tunnel under the Pacific, this means boating the oceans of the world. Of course, it isn't as easy as it was in Columbus' century. Boats, though still quite common for transporting goods, are not so accessible to passengers as they once were. This is where a community of travelers and a butt load of research have come in handy.
For reliable and affordable* crossing of the big blue wet thing, I will be depending predominantly on cargo freighters. How is this possible? Since the mechanization of most physical labor, the personnel required for the loading and crewing of freighters has been significantly reduced. That means open cabins, which were wasted space until someone had the bright idea to hock them to travelers as a rugged cruise alternative.
Freighter travel is no walk in the park. I've had to jump through several bureaucratic hoops, including some very specific travel insurance requirements and a rubber stamp of approval from a doctor. The latter is to safeguard against the infirm boarding boats, since all cabins are up 3 or more flights of stairs and there is no physician on board. If you are not infirm of body, the greater challenge seems to be a weakening of the soul. With little to do for more than a week and few if any people to socialize with, a maritime path across the ocean means crushing loneliness and irreparable boredom. You must be braced to spend 10 days inside your own head, a book, or off the starboard side.
For a taste of what's to come, here's a shot of my first purchased and confirmed freighter. The CMA CGM Kingfish is shown here leaving New York City, as I will be, bound for my first foreign destination (Tanger, Morocco) almost precisely 1 year ago today.
* Let the record show that by affordable I mean in comparison to the alternative: the QE2. Flying is still vastly cheaper than freighter travel. At almost double the price of an airplane ticket, I am absolutely not recommending that you boat to save cash. In addition, it is in no way possible to swab your way across the ocean. Freighter crew do not ever accept work for transport.
For reliable and affordable* crossing of the big blue wet thing, I will be depending predominantly on cargo freighters. How is this possible? Since the mechanization of most physical labor, the personnel required for the loading and crewing of freighters has been significantly reduced. That means open cabins, which were wasted space until someone had the bright idea to hock them to travelers as a rugged cruise alternative.
Freighter travel is no walk in the park. I've had to jump through several bureaucratic hoops, including some very specific travel insurance requirements and a rubber stamp of approval from a doctor. The latter is to safeguard against the infirm boarding boats, since all cabins are up 3 or more flights of stairs and there is no physician on board. If you are not infirm of body, the greater challenge seems to be a weakening of the soul. With little to do for more than a week and few if any people to socialize with, a maritime path across the ocean means crushing loneliness and irreparable boredom. You must be braced to spend 10 days inside your own head, a book, or off the starboard side.
For a taste of what's to come, here's a shot of my first purchased and confirmed freighter. The CMA CGM Kingfish is shown here leaving New York City, as I will be, bound for my first foreign destination (Tanger, Morocco) almost precisely 1 year ago today.
* Let the record show that by affordable I mean in comparison to the alternative: the QE2. Flying is still vastly cheaper than freighter travel. At almost double the price of an airplane ticket, I am absolutely not recommending that you boat to save cash. In addition, it is in no way possible to swab your way across the ocean. Freighter crew do not ever accept work for transport.
THE BIG BLUE WET THING!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete"Hey ho we'll go
ReplyDeleteAnywhere the wind is blowing!
Hoist the sails and sing~~~~
Fozzie: Sailing for adventure on the big, blue wet thing."
God save anyone who loves the muppets.