{"id":3095,"date":"2020-08-11T21:31:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-11T19:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frachtschiffreisen-pfeiffer.de\/information\/from-a-z-faq\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T23:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T22:53:11","slug":"from-a-z-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/frachtschiffreisen-pfeiffer.de\/en\/information\/from-a-z-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"From A-Z (FAQ)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What to expect at sea? How will I live aboard a cargo ship? What should I know?
\nYou will find a brief summary of the most important information under Characteristics of freighter voyages<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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INDEX<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nB<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nC<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nD<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nE<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nF<\/b><\/td>\nG<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nH<\/b><\/td>\nI<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nJ<\/b><\/td>\nK<\/b><\/td>\nL<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nM<\/b><\/td>\nN<\/b><\/td>\nO<\/b><\/td>\nP<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nQ<\/b><\/td>\nR<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nS<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nT<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nU<\/b><\/td>\nV<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nW<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nX<\/b><\/td>\nY<\/b><\/td>\nZ<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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<\/a>
\nAdditional costs<\/b>
\nThere are minor additional costs on board. Drinks are available at reasonable prices. When going ashore, there will be costs for transfers through the port and\/or taxi\/bus fares for the journey into town.<\/p>\n

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Advice<\/b>
\nWe are happy to advise you and answer your questions. Give us a call or send us an email (to the contact form<\/a>).
\nGood advice is better than misconceptions or a bad experience. We have made many cargo ship journeys ourselves. Benefit from our travel experience.<\/p>\n

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Arrival<\/b>
\nThe departure times of the ships depend on the cargo and the situation in the ports, so there may be changes at short notice. Please discuss the type and time of your arrival at the ship with us and ensure that you can be reached while travelling.<\/p>\n

\nRead more…<\/summary>\n

Container terminals in particular are often located further away from city centres. We can provide you with special port descriptions for the most important ports of entry in Europe, including the respective addresses and various parking options. Although parking your car near the gatehouse is not guarded, we have not heard of any unpleasant surprises so far.
\nIn general, it makes sense to travel by plane or train. Buy tickets shortly before your ship’s departure, or make sure that they can be rebooked and cancelled.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

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<\/a>
\nBicycle<\/b>
\nBicycles can be transported free of charge on most ships.<\/p>\n

\nRead more…<\/summary>\n

Please specify when booking. The passenger is responsible for the transport from the port to the ship and vice versa. In some ports there are additional costs for transport within the ports. Please pay directly on site.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

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Bridge<\/b>
\nUsually it is always possible to stay on the bridge. On some ships there are certain times for visiting the bridge. There are sometimes restrictions for certain maneuvers or some weather situations (such as fog).<\/p>\n

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<\/a>
\nCabin<\/b>
\nYou do not need to bring bed linen and towels, both are provided.
\nOn the cargo ships, passengers are accommodated in outside cabins with their own shower\/WC. On some ships there is also a separate living room available (see voyage description).
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Captain<\/b>
\nThe captain is the person in charge on board and the official representative of the shipping company. Their instructions must be followed without question.<\/p>\n

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Cargo<\/b>
\nOn cargo ships, the cargo always takes priority. As a rule, neither the shipping companies nor we know what goods are being transported in the containers.<\/p>\n

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Cars\/caravans\/motorbikes<\/b>
\nWould you like to take a car, motorhome or motorbike with you? In principle, this is possible, but transport must be arranged through a shipping company and is carried out on container ships in containers. You can find suitable shipping companies on the Internet. On the Ro-Ro (roll-on roll-off) ships offered, the vehicles are driven onto the ship. There are also specialised shipping companies for this.<\/p>\n

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Chief<\/b>
\nThe first engineer on board. Not to be confused with Chief Mate, the first officer.
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Children<\/b>
\nTo be honest, a cargo ship is not the right place for small children, as its facilities are not designed for young guests. For this reason, a minimum age is often required, which can vary from one shipping company to another. No shipping company accepts children under the age of 3. The minimum age is often 6, but it is not uncommon for it to be 16 or even 18.<\/p>\n

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Clothing<\/b>
\nYou can leave your suit and evening gown at home. Dress appropriately for the destination. Casual and comfortable clothing is fine. Even the captain does not necessarily wear a uniform at sea. Be prepared for all weather conditions. Windproof jacket, sturdy shoes\/slippers (see also equipment<\/a> or packing list<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Currency<\/b>
\nSmaller incidental expenses are paid on board in euros or US dollars; cheques, credit cards or PayPal are not accepted.<\/p>\n

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Customs<\/b>
\nValuables such as cameras, mobile phones or laptops, as well as tobacco products and spirits, must be declared on a customs list before arrival at the port. A ship’s officer will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>
\nDeviation insurance<\/b>
\nThis is the insurance that covers the costs incurred by the shipping company if the ship is forced to change course, e.g. to call at the nearest port in the event of illness or accident of the insured person.<\/p>\n

\nRead more…<\/summary>\n

The amount depends on the size of the ship, the route and the age of the insured person. We will take out deviation insurance for you.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

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Doctor<\/b>
\nThere’s no doctor on board the cargo ships. Therefore, it is important to start a freighter voyage only in good health.<\/p>\n

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Documents (also see Equipment)<\/b>
\nDepending on the voyage, you will need different documents such as passport, visa, return ticket, etc., see also the notes under Characteristics of freighter voyages<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The documents required for your journey according to our information can be found in the respective travel description. Passengers are responsible for obtaining and ensuring the completeness of the documents. Please enquire at the relevant embassies or consulates and always mention the type of entry: by cargo ship. We will be happy to advise you.
\nPlease note that our information applies to EU citizens and Swiss nationals. Citizens of other countries must contact their embassies or consulates for information on the applicable regulations.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

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<\/a>
\nElectricity<\/b>
\n220 V and sockets to German standards are common on cargo ships.<\/p>\n

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Embarkation<\/b>
\nThe schedule of cargo ships is primarily based on the requirements of commercial shipping and is subject to fluctuations. We will remain in close contact with you, especially shortly before embarkation. To this end, it is necessary that you inform us in good time when and how we can reach you.<\/p>\n

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Embarkation\/disembarkation fees<\/b>
\nThese are fees incurred for the formalities and activities of the agencies, primarily in southern and non-European ports and at special boarding points such as the Kiel Canal. The costs of these can vary.<\/p>\n

\nRead more…<\/summary>\n

The agents are responsible in particular for ensuring compliance with entry and exit regulations at the respective ports. Upon embarkation, the agencies will also provide you with information on times, berths, etc.
\nIn addition to the fees we pay to the agencies\/authorities on your behalf, some ports may charge additional costs, e.g. for transport from the port entrance to the ship and vice versa. Please pay these costs directly on site. If these are billed by the agencies\/authorities, the costs are often more than double.
\nEven if, for example, you are driven to the doctor by an agency employee, please pay immediately (see above).<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

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Energy efficiency<\/b>
\nThe subject of energy consumption and environmental protection is rightly playing an increasingly important role. The use of heavy fuel oil for cargo ships is fortunately coming to an end.<\/p>\n

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Shipping companies are therefore using three different methods to reduce sulphur emissions to almost zero: installing cleaning systems (known as scrubbers), switching to marine diesel or natural gas LNG. See also Environmentally conscious travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

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Entertainment<\/b>
\nThere is no special entertainment programme for passengers on board. Here, you can enjoy your holiday at your leisure. Here, you will find peace and quiet and perhaps finally have time to read that book you’ve been meaning to read for so long.
\nBring your laptop with you if you like. You’re sure to take lots of photos, which you can edit and archive right on board.
\nOr perhaps you’d rather watch the hustle and bustle on board and in the ports. With a little empathy, you’re sure to soon make contact with the crew and strike up a conversation or two.<\/p>\n

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Equipment<\/b>
\nIn any case, you should take the following with you on your cargo ship voyage: All travel documents from us (in particular your ticket\/contract of carriage), passport, visas and return tickets if applicable, vaccination certificate if applicable, travel health insurance documents, medication, non-slip shoes, slippers for your cabin, small amounts of local currency for buses or taxis. Also: sunglasses, spare glasses, binoculars, sun cream, drinks for the first day on board, English dictionary.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>
\nGangway<\/b>
\nMake sure that the gangway is firmly in place. Take only a small amount of hand luggage with you and ask the gangway guard for help with luggage transport on board. In general, however, you must be able to bring your luggage safely on board yourself. The gangway can be 20 m and longer and moves a little – so be careful.
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<\/a>
\nItinerary<\/b>
\nThe routes taken by cargo ships depend on their cargo. Route changes, including the omission of certain ports, are possible. The focus of a cargo ship voyage is the experience of modern seafaring.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>
\nLeisure time<\/b>
\nVisits to the bridge, chats with the crew, time and peace for yourself, reading books, listening to music, sunbathing and, if available, use of the sauna, gym and swimming pool. Watch the loading\/unloading work from a safe place. Interesting shore excursions are also common leisure activities during a cargo ship voyage.<\/p>\n

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Luggage<\/b>
\nAs a rule, 125 kg of luggage per person is permitted. The basic rule is that all your luggage must be able to be carried up the steep gangway onto the ship and stowed safely in your cabin, whereby crew members will be happy to assist you.<\/p>\n

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Larger items such as moving boxes, furniture, etc. must be shipped via a freight forwarder. Instead of large suitcases, we recommend using luggage bags, duffel bags or similar items, which are easier to store in the cabin.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

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<\/a>
\nMeals<\/b>
\nThree warm meals are included in the tour price. Passengers eat together with the officers in the officers’ mess. There are special arrangements for some inland voyages.
\nThe following times are common on most ships:<\/p>\n