Why flexibility is the key to freighter travel

In these stressful times, one of the best ways of getting away from it all may be a leisurely journey on a seagoing freighter. Just make sure it goes nowhere near the shipping lanes tormented by modern-day pirates.

A great way of finding out about routes is to sign up with TravLtips at the Cruise & Freighter Travel Association based in Flushing, New York.

Flexibility is the key to freighter travel.

TravLtips points out the possibility of schedule changes and extra days dictated by the cargo and what the ship might pick up along the way.

Most freighters accommodate up to 12 passengers in comfortable cabins. You might end up sharing meals and chat with just the ship's officers, but hopefully there will be some well-travelled, interesting fellow passengers too.

Cabins are usually equal to the higher-priced staterooms on cruise ships. The cost is said to average around $100 a day and voyages will usually be at least 30 days.

For instance, CMA CMG's Matisse, Utrillo, La Tour and Manet depart New York for Savannah, Georgia; Jamaica; Panama Canal transit; Tahiti; Fiji; New Caledonia, Sydney and Melbourne; New Zealand; and return to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in about 63 days. They carry six passengers, age limit 75, about $US10,395 twin share.

There are many options, to places all over the world. The TravLtips magazine is published quarterly. As well as freighter listings it covers small vessel expeditions and river barges. The new-member one-year rate is $US25 but you can get a free trial. For membership outside the US and Canada, call 800-872-8584 or email [email protected].

Get stories like this in our newsletters.