1. Planning of the voyage
Departure and arrival times are subject to change. Most ships sail according to a timetable, but this is subject to fluctuations. The sailing times depend, for example, on the weather and the duration of work in the ports. Route changes are also possible. As a general rule, cargo and the needs of merchant shipping always take priority on cargo ships.
Arrival and departure are organized by the passengers themselves. We recommend that you select rebookable flights and train tickets. The same applies to hotel reservations and other connecting bookings. If you are traveling to Hamburg or Bremerhaven by car, for example, we will provide you with detailed information on how to get there and where to park.
2. Life on board and shore leave
The special attraction of a freighter voyage is that you normally have free access to the bridge and other facilities on board and can watch the captain and officers at work. Please understand, however, that some captains may want to be alone on the bridge during foggy weather, cruises or mooring maneuvers.
The chief will be happy to show you the engine room by prior arrangement.
During a quiet watch, there is often an opportunity for a chat with the watch commander or the free watch. However, you cannot expect an entertainment program from the crew on board a cargo ship. Instead, you will have plenty of time for yourself, lots of peace and quiet, for example to read books that have piled up at home. A CD player allows you to listen to music. A small world receiver keeps you up to date with events in the world. Games and a few books are usually available. Television sets with DVD are available on board. Television reception is usually only possible near the coast. In the respective voyage description we indicate whether TV, DVD, radio or similar are also available in the cabins.
Information on the usual berthing times in the ports can be found in the descriptions of the individual voyages. The berthing times depend on the cargo. The captain and crew will be happy to give you tips, but rarely have time to go ashore themselves. Port lay times can occasionally be just a few hours and sometimes only overnight. When going ashore, exchange cell phone numbers with the captain / first officer. In addition, the container terminals are not always close to the city. The main focus of a freighter voyage is the experience of modern seafaring.
3. Accommodation and Board
The cabins – on cargo ships they are called “cabins”, even if it is the most luxurious owner’s cabin – are outside cabins with a separate shower/WC. Some cabins even have a separate living area. The view may be obstructed by cargo. If no single cabins are available, double cabins can often be booked for single use for an extra charge. Most ships have space for 2-5 passengers.
There are three hot meals for passengers and crew on almost all ships. They are taken in the officers’ mess. Coffee and tea are freely available for passengers. Soft drinks, water, snacks etc. are available from the captain or steward against cash payment. On most ships there is a ban on alcohol for the crew, so alcohol is not available for purchase. Please note that for safety reasons only moderate alcohol consumption is permitted, if at all, and follow the captain’s instructions.
Most of the ships on the “grand voyage” have a saloon with bar, sports room, sauna and a swimming pool (indoor or outdoor). The facilities of the respective ship can be found in the voyage description.
4. Health
You should only embark on a freighter voyage if you are in good physical condition. There will be no doctor on board your cargo ship! Unrestricted walking ability is a prerequisite for every passenger. Certain health restrictions (e.g. severely impaired vision) preclude a cargo ship voyage. Please contact us before booking if you have any physical limitations. An on-board pharmacy is available, and the captain and officers can provide first aid in an emergency until medical assistance is available.
The shipping companies have certain age limits. For passengers aged 65 and over, the shipping companies therefore require a current medical certificate before the start of the journey. For some longer journeys, a medical certificate is required for all passengers. You will receive a form for this with your travel confirmation. On request, we can also send you a medical certificate form for a specific trip so that you can check whether there may be any restrictions.
For certain countries, such as South Africa, a yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry by cargo ship. Please clarify before booking whether you will receive the vaccination. Vaccination is sometimes refused for older passengers and passengers with pre-existing medical conditions.
5. Documents, Vaccinations, Insurances
A passport is required for cargo ship journeys, an identity card is usually not sufficient even within Europe. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip, for some countries even 12 months. Visas are compulsory in some countries (e.g. Namibia).
All shipping companies require proof of adequate insurance. This includes travel health insurance and liability insurance. Travel cancellation insurance and luggage insurance are also recommended. A deviation insurance policy is taken out for each traveler, which covers the costs incurred by the shipping company if the ship is forced to change course, e.g. to call at the next port in the event of illness or accident of the insured person. The amount depends on the size of the ship, the route and the age of the insured person.
6. Language on board
We mainly broker ships operated by German shipping companies, some of which are under German command (captain and/or officers). However, English language skills are also helpful on these ships, as the lingua franca in merchant shipping is English and the crew is generally not German-speaking. Many ships sail with an international ship’s command, in which case there may be no German on board and English language skills are necessary.