Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
World Cruises Inc, 2009). Available cruises range from two-week trips in a
localized area to four-month voyages around the world. Over 35 shipping
lines are involved, operating more than 55 different itineraries for around
1200 clients per year. While customers have the opportunity to link cruises
with a return flight, most opt for a round voyage and thus avoid the carbon
footprint of a flight. Passenger numbers are usually limited to 12 or less; any
more and the vessel must carry a doctor. Passengers must therefore certify
their good health, and there are upper and lower age limits (Maris Freighter
Cruises, 2009).
Passengers can join part of a cruise to make a transatlantic crossing, for
example, or book a full itinerary; however, most trips involve a fair commit-
ment to time and some flexibility (Johnson, 2007). This is the main drawback,
as these cruises are on working ships running to a freight schedule and sub-
ject to last-minute changes (Maris Freighter Cruises, 2009). This can leave less
time to visit ports, which may be far from tourist attractions (Johnson, 2007).
Freighter travellers can also integrate their trips with land-based travel, as a
passenger describes:
In Tahiti we had three days shore leave, so we walked through
Papeete the first day, took a bus around the island the next, and
the ferry to Moorea the third. When we reached Melbourne we
jumped ship, took the train to Sydney, and spent two delightful
days there before the ship caught up with us. (Maris Freighter
Cruises, 2009)
Costs tend to be less than traditional passenger cruises (Johnson, 2007):
Kahler (2009) estimates up to a third or half the cost, but prices are rising. On
the whole, cargo cruises would seem best suited to independent travellers who
are flexible and able to organize their own trips (Johnson, 2007; Maris
Freighter Cruises, 2009).
Freighter cruises provide excellent opportunities to engage with passen-
gers, crew, places visited and the wildlife encountered en route. For instance,
Johnson (2007) describes watching dolphins, whales and sea birds, and a pas-
senger describes an encounter with people from the Pitcairn Islands:
In the afternoon of March 2nd we saw Pitcairn Island coming
up ... We had a number of people come aboard on the rope lad-
der to sell wares, like T-shirts, small carvings, booklets, stamps,
etc. They also traded fruit for soft drinks and meat. (Maris
Freighter Cruises, 2009)
It is also possible for the more adventurous traveller to negotiate passage
directly with ships on a one-off basis. For example, within the Caribbean,
such a strategy is used by local people to make voyages between the islands
of Dominica and Montserrat, which are not connected by a direct flight. This
strategy of using commercial shipping might be considered carbon neutral,
as the ship is making the journey anyway with or without passengers. For
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