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My father was a merchant marine officer for 30 odd years. As a kid I sailed all over the world on cargo ships he was the chief officer or captain of. I sailed for 9 months in the year 1992. Some of my fondest memories are located aboard that ship.
The whole journey has an almost surreal zen like appeal. There's nothing but the ocean. The white foam being left behind by your ship's trail is probably the only non blue color you see for days. It feels like a lazy, hazy afternoon. You just relax or read or walk or ponder. And then there's the excitement as the sea port approaches. It's almost like landing on a different planet.
See, in this day and age no one has the interest or the desire to just sit idle and relax. Imagine being a month without the internet(though emails are there, there's no internet surfing) and smartphone updates.
I decided to do some research yesterday and it culminated in my calling a London office(I am in Ottawa, Canada). I got every necessary detail and I am planning a Far East trip from Vancouver. The trip will take 35 days(touching Far East cities and returning to canada) and cost around 5000 can dollars- which seems expensive, and is but remember that it includes stay and food(3 times a day). I soon realized that only the elderly of for it usually because they have free time. But it should become more popular.
What is your opinion of my essay? Why isn't cargo ship travel that popular? Would you consider it?
I enjoy the ship as a resort, including the entertainment, swimming pools, jacuzzi, various bars and restaurants. That does not exist on a freighter.
We enjoy meeting a wide range of other passengers, and since freighters sail with 12 or fewer passengers, we're going to be pretty limited (but talking to the staff would be interesting, too).
In our case, not having an elevator and having to deal with stairs is getting close to a deal breaker.
In many cases, the ship docks at a port that is in the middle of nowhere, with no public transportation or taxi service readily available. Arrival and departure times often limit the possibility of visiting the port and it's surrounding area.
People want luxury, they want company of other passengers, lots of fun etc.
I did several trips with cargo ship and LOVED it, but that's not for everyone.
If it represented an especially cheap, comfortable and affordable way to get my family of 4 to visit relatives in Hawaii, I would do it. But it doesn't, so I won't. I could take a commercial cruise line there, debark half-way and then fly home for the same $$$.
The trip will take 35 days(touching Far East cities and returning to canada) and cost around 5000 can dollars- which seems expensive, and is but remember that it includes stay and food(3 times a day). I soon realized that only the elderly of for it usually because they have free time. But it should become more popular.
What is your opinion of my essay? Why isn't cargo ship travel that popular? Would you consider it?
Well, I suspect I'm not alone when I say it's a treat for me to manage a whole week off work. I'm 37 and I don't think I've had 35 consecutive days off work in maybe 14 years...
If it represented an especially cheap, comfortable and affordable way to get my family of 4 to visit relatives in Hawaii, I would do it. But it doesn't, so I won't. I could take a commercial cruise line there, debark half-way and then fly home for the same $$$.
This is something that I would like to work. But it doesn't work for me. If it was significantly less expensive or significantly more convenient than flying, I'd be happy to take a freighter. It isn't.
For me, it is because of the cost. It's substantially more than a cruise ship and you get a lot less for your money.
I'd rather fly. But for someone who can't fly, it is a way to get to areas where cruise ships don't go. Destinations for cruise ships are limited.
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