chaffedsaddle

i was all set to get a plane ticket, but at the last minute decided to check out the freighter alternative. turns out it's similarly priced. at https://www.freighterworld.com/places/austnz.html a single cabin is $1120 which is only $100 more than a plane ticket. my question is if for locations that require an outbound ticket for entry when taking a plane, does the same apply (or is it checked/enforced) when taking a ship (or even cruise ship)? i'd like to be as flexible as possible since i have no idea how long that leg of my tour will take. if i'm going to take a plane, then i'd just get the outbound ticket on a date 3 months from entry (maximum stay) and then just call airline to change the date when i get to the departure airport and pay the change fee.

valygrl

Looks like it takes a couple of weeks to get to New Zealand... you might want to balance the cost of living on the frieghter (food, beer, books, anti-depressants) and the time spent sitting around losing fitness with the cost of that ticket change. Don't forget Time = Money. And also, time = change of weather. Don't screw up your seasonality trying to save a few $100s.

Also, check with your destination country, you may be able to substitute proof of financial resources for the exit ticket. At least, that's what they wanted in OZ to extend my visa. Don't know if it's the same deal.

Cheers

supcom

I would expect that the need to have return arrangements would apply regardless of your method of entry. You might want to look into a refundable return ticket on whatever transportation you plan to use to get home. That way, you can adjust your travel accordingly. Once through customs, you could probably cancel your return and rebook later on.

Before you book a freighter, be sure to research it carefully. Freighters are not like cruise ships and you will have very limited entertainment available on your journey and very few people to socialize with. For many people, this is ideal, but it's best to know what you'd be getting into. If you don't mind time alone and have lots of it to spare, a freighter might be a good option for you.

eric von zipper

Lots of info on Lonely Planet's forum.
https://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/ca...s.cfm?catid=54

Cyclist0383

How much does food cost on board?

Hobartlemagne 

They have quite a party on the ship when crossing the equator.

supcom

Meals are included in the price. You eat with the ships officers (as opposed to the crew).

nebben123

Holy crap, I thought about traveling on a freighter one day, because I assumed it would be cheap. Who wants to pay thousands of dollars to travel on a freighter for a month? Why does it not cost something reasonable, like $500? Bulk food is cheap, and I can't imagine the accommodations are anything to rave about.

CameraMan

https://www.josiedew.co.uk/book6.htm

truman

Man, having been long asea on naval vessels, no part of choosing a freighter over of air travel has any appeal for me at all. I'll follow this thread with interest to see what I don't know.

rhm

And so the thread ended, many moons ago.

But I'm bumping it, just for the heck of it. I'm toying with the idea of a tour in Nova Scotia next summer, and thought a freighter might be a good way to get from New York to Halifax. If I'm reading the schedules right, it's a common voyage and takes only a day or so.

Question is, could I put the bike(s) and trailer on the freighter without disassembling and boxing everything?

gerv 

A trip to NZ would be an amazing adventure if by sea. Years ago, I worked as an observer aboard a variety of foreign fishing trawlers. The experience of living at sea is probably not for everyone, but I would recommend it to anyone to try at least once.

With the concern over global warming, I am hoping that freighter travel does increase. It's a great way to go.

gerv 

I don't know if you would be required to box it, but remember than things move around a lot in bad weather... depending on the size of the freighter and the time of year you travel. If you don't need to box it, get some assurances that it will be safely stowed.

Joshua1234

I sailed from the bahamas to panama on a forty foot sail boat. I loved almost every scary minuet of it. I would go by freight. If nothing else it makes a better story than hopping on a plane.

Camel

+1

-Works for most countries in my experience. Thailand had changed there requirements in the few months I had traveled around, and required proof of onward travel when I had returned at the border. A cheesy printout of my flight reservation worked fine.

Erick L

I sort-of took a small freighter on my last trip (Nordik Express). Half the boat is freight and half is passenger. The boat brings supplies to the St-Lawrence north coast communities so it stops often. There are bike racks on the boat. Bikes are the best way to visit the coastal villages. The trip lasts six days and I broke it in two with a one week stop on Anticosti island. It's a little small and boring on board but it's a nice break from the routine. You get to talk to other travelers and locals. The atmosphere was very laid back. Can't say that about airports. We were often close to the coast saw a few whales.