Yes. Like cruise liners, freighters are regularly subjected to thorough safety inspections.

Freighter voyages typically average about US$100-150 per day including meals, although this varies with the current value of the dollar. Most lines that carry passengers are European operations, so the fares are often based upon Euros or Pounds Sterling. Tramp voyages would tend to be the least expensive. Per person fares with double occupancy would obviously cost less than a single person booking a double cabin, though the likelihood of not being penalized for single occupancy is much greater with a freighter than it would be with a traditional cruise ship.

Keep in mind that fares charged by different ship owners can vary considerably, even on the same route, so shop around before committing. Also, be aware that some agents will quote prices in foreign "dollars" so make sure you are getting the correct US price.

Other expenses to expect are port taxes, deviation insurance and Customs charges when leaving or entering a country. This typically adds $250-$300 per person to the overall cost of a voyage.

Freighters can travel to and from any country that imports or exports goods, which basically means just about any major port in the world. You can either choose a line that has regular routes, or you join a "tramp" that has no fixed route.

"Tramps" are cargo ships that have flexible itineraries and/or ports of call. Their schedules and destinations flow with cargo demand. The advantages to these freighters are lower costs, relatively quick departures and generally longer stays at port. The downside, of course, is that you never know when a tramp will become available so advanced planning would likely be impossible.

The minium is 7 days, but the average length of a voyage is from 40 to 50 days.  For example, a round trip from the U.S. West Coast to Australia/New Zealand and back would take about 45 days while an around the world voyage could take from 80 to 125 days, depending on the number of ports of call.

Yes. Partial trips are common. Assuming you have the proper documentation, you can plan to get off at whatever port you wish. You can then either resume your voyage on another ship, or you can fly home.

It's possible to lay over without even changing ships. You could, for example, go from Los Angeles to Australia, lay over a week or two, and return on the same ship (returning from a regional port).

Size matters when cruising the high seas. You may want to take these size differences into consideration when choosing a particular ship for your voyage, especially if you prefer stability.

The smaller container ships usually carry fewer than 1,000 containers and are typically under 500 feet in length. The pitch and roll on these ships will be more noticeable than on the larger freighters.

The largest container ships carry about 12,000 containers and can be over 1300 feet in length. These goliaths are so stable you may tend to forget that you are at sea. The down side is that the larger engines that propel these monsters produce more carbon, and you may find the decks a bit dirtier than the smaller freighters.

The cabins were originally intended for officers and members of the shipping company, so standards are high. They might be equivalent to a mini suite on a cruise liner. Most will have a small refrigerator and some will include such items as a TV/VCR and perhaps even a phone for internal calls within the ship.

You will typically have a bedroom, a bathroom and a separate day room that features a large picture window instead of a porthole. Views will either face forward, port, or starboard though it’s possible your cabin could have more than one view.

When booking your cruise, you should consider a cabin on the higher decks or you may find containers blocking your forward view. This would, of course, mean more flights of stairs between you and the officers’ mess, but the unobstructed view might be well worth the extra steps.

Aside from the amenities already mentioned in the cabin description, the ship may offer the following:

TV Lounge: In addition to the dining room, the passengers and crew might gather in the TV lounge. This is where you can choose to view a movie with others or simply socialize. Most ships will have a good selection of videos and books in their library.

Pool: Some ships have pools, usually salt water. Since they’re positioned below the main deck, they’re typically less than full to prevent wash over. They are drained when in port or on rough seas.

Gym: It is common to find exercise rooms onboard. Saunas, though less likely, may also be available.

Laundry Facility: The ship's linen and bedding are usually washed by a member of the crew once a week. You are free to wash your own clothes in an adjacent room or laundry room.

Meals vary with the chef but are generally pretty good. The nationality of the crew will undoubtably have an influence on the menu. Don't expect midnight buffets or champagne fountains. The food may not be lavish, but there's plenty of it and you might even be offered some complimentary wine.

Unlike a cruise ship, you will join the captain in the officers’ mess and enjoy whatever fare the steward is serving. You may, of course, opt for what the crew is eating, but you'll serve yourself.

Note that special diets cannot be accommodated.

Email service is usually available for a modest fee; occasionally it’s free. The phone & fax, however, are typically satellite connections and can be quite expensive. Internet access is generally available only through prior arrangement and will likely be very slow. You could use a satellite phone and modem for your laptop connection, but this too has it's drawbacks.

Yes. All mail is sent and received through a port agent. Your boarding documents will include a list of port agents and their addresses. Give the list to all of your intended correspondents. The respective port agent will forward the mail from his station to your ship.

Though you can indeed calculate your arrival to the next port from your itinerary, freighters are not always on schedule and will not guarantee mail delivery. You should therefore not have anything sent to you that you couldn’t afford to be without.

Your outgoing mail should be placed in the ship’s mail box before arrival to the next port. The letters will be handed over to the port agent, who will mail them through a local post office.

Freighter cruises attract unpretentious, independent and often seasoned individuals who prefer a quiet, unscheduled and relaxed atmosphere over the hectic, loud, party environment of the average cruise liner.

Your fellow passengers are typically adventurous sea-loving people who can afford to take lengthy vacations. Examples of such people might be teachers, retired professionals, business owners and other entrepreneurial types. Freighters draw a fair number of writers, artists and musicians who are inspired by the solitude and can create without interruption. You’ll also find a few young free spirits who crave a unique travel experience.

Typically there are only 1 to 6 passengers onboard a freighter, though there could be as many as 12. Since freighters carrying more than 12 passengers are required to employ a physician, overall costs dictate not exceeding this limit. A possible exception would be a passenger cargo liner (a ship designed to achieve both functions) which would already have a doctor onboard, so additional passengers would not be cost prohibitive.

In case you’re a little apprehensive about being aboard a ship without a doctor, keep in mind that many officers have some training in emergency care and that these ships are equipped with a treatment room and ample medical supplies.

In general, they're happy to have you aboard.

As far as communicating with the crew, although English is the international standard, it's probably not the first language of the crew members. Obviously, conversational skills will vary with every ship.

Officers, however, are required to have a working knowledge of English in order to communicate with harbor pilots, coast guards, etc. If you need to communicate something important to a crew member and you’re having difficulty, you might try speaking to an officer.

Unless directed otherwise, members of the crew should be addressed as "Mister".

There are no cruise directors or planned activities other than meals. Your schedule is pretty much your own.

Meals are probably the most interesting time of day since you’ll be socializing with your fellow passengers.

For amusement you could view dolphins from the bow, read, get some sun, watch the ocean, listen to your ipod, play cards, knit, enjoy the sunsets, hang out on the bridge, do crossword puzzles, or simply relax.

You could also explore the ship. There may be a fitness room or sauna available. Ships typically have a common room or library where books, CDs, video tapes, DVDs or even board games might be found.

The Captain determines the smoking policy on his ship. Europeans tend to smoke more than North Americans so it’s not unusual to have an open smoking policy. If there is a restriction, it will likely be in the dining room or your berth. As always, you should not disturb non-smokers.

Note the "no smoking" or "designated smoking" areas in the ports. These may indicate dangerous loads in the vicinity. Be aware of your ship’s policies and the local port laws because ignorance could lead to serious fines or hazardous situations.

Contact a freighter travel agency. Your typical travel agent will probably not deal in this specialized market. For a listing of freighter travel agents, see our Freighter Agents page or type "freighter cruise agents" into your search engine. Some carriers may allow you to contact the ship's agent/manager directly.

If you seeking a particular voyage, ask the agent what they have available. Different agents may offer different voyages.

Reserve your cruise as early as possible since popular routes can be booked up to a year in advance. If you prefer a quick departure and can afford to be flexible, you might consider a "Tramp" freighter.

Since shipping lines and freighter agents are not set up for last minute bookings, you should plan to confirm your reservations at least a month in advance. Allow much more time, up to a year in advance, for the more popular routes.

"Tramp" voyages tend to offer "last minute specials" and thus require very little lead time.

Note when scheduling that while some freighters depart on an exact date and time, others might simply have a "window" of time for departure.

An "option" might be defined as a passenger’s "right of choice" for a given period of time before a financial commitment is required. Basically it amounts to an agent securing a tentative cruise reservation for a client until the option date expires or a payment is made, committing the passenger.

Option periods usually last about two weeks. Once the client commits (exercises his/her option), partial payments are typically allowed up to 60 days before the ship's departure, when the balance is due.

You will need a valid passport with an expiration date that extends from 6 to 12 months beyond your intended return date. Depending on your nationality and destination, you may also need a visa. Since visa regulations vary, check with your travel agent to ensure that you meet the requirements for each port. When contacting consulates or embassies regarding visas, be sure to inform them that you are entering their country via freighter rather than a cruise ship or plane.

Proper documents are your responsibility. If you do not acquire the necessary visas or inoculation certificates, you may have to remain onboard when the ship reaches port.

Detailed information about vaccines can be found at http://www.travelersvaccines.com/. 

The above website is designed to assist US travelers in determining what precautions and vaccinations should be be considered when traveling outside the United States. It also provides locations of travel clinics.

Some vaccines must be given in a series, over a period of days or even weeks, and many take time to become effective in your body. Therefore, allow ample time (4-6 weeks) for these procedures to be completed before sailing.

If you have less than 4 weeks before departure, see your doctor for medical options and information about protecting your health while traveling overseas.

You may also check the Center for Disease Control for more information.

For expensive equipment, bring a respective note from Customs before starting your voyage. You can consequently avoid difficulties while reintroducing them later and won't be subject to import taxes.

This insurance is not mandatory. It provides personal coverage and reimbursement for forfeited, non-refundable and unused payments or deposits if you should have to cancel or interrupt your trip due to a covered reason.

Read the terms and conditions of your policy carefully to establish exactly what is covered. They do not cover routine events for freighters, such as changes to ports of call.

Deviation insurance covers the shipping line for any expenses they incur if they have to deviate from their course for a passenger emergency. It does not cover you, your treatment or other personally related expenses. Prices are set and will provide coverage up to 14 days before an adjustment is applied. See your travel insurance agent or freighter agent for details.

A few shipping lines will include the cost of deviation insurance in the fare. Be aware of this when initially comparing freighter cruises’ overall costs.

You should arrange transportation to the dock as usually no private cars are allowed in port.

After the ship has sailed you will be introduced to your new surroundings.  You’re expected to provide  your travel documents (passport, vaccination card, etc.) to the officer in charge. Don’t wait to be asked.

Check with your agent for any restrictions on your particular ship. Weight allowances will likely be liberal.

Attire is very informal. T-shirts, shorts and jeans are all fine. You may experience several climate changes so consider bringing a variety of layered clothing and a rainproof jacket. You might also want to bring something appropriate for onboard parties and shore excursions.

Most ships operate on 220 volts. The U.S. standard is 110 volts. Though some appliances have an 110-220V option built in, you will likely need a plug converter (flat to round prongs) for most.

Yes, but you may not be able to travel with it. Though many freighters will transport your car or motorcycle, relatively few of them carry passengers.

This varies from ship to ship, but generally yes.

Yes, but be sure you don't disturb the crew while taking them. If you have any doubts about taking pictures, it’s best to ask the captain to avoid any potential problems.

Items that have been suggested are: scissors, tape, pens and pencils, film, batteries, a sewing kit, an ipod, binoculars with stabilization, a GPS device, a laptop, books, an electric conversion kit and flat shoes or sneakers with ridged soles.

The outdoor ladder and stair railings are often greasy and covered with soot so work gloves might be a good idea as well. If you wish to stay informed, a battery-operated international (shortwave) band radio will be able to receive English language newscasts on deck.

See our products page for additional items.

Yes. There is an onboard store (Slop Chest) that has infrequent business hours. You will need cash for your onboard purchases. The currency used is usually US dollars. Credit cards, traveler's checks and other currencies are not accepted.

You can typically purchase sundry personal items like toothpaste, soft drinks, cigarettes, soap and shampoo. You may also purchase beer and hard liquor, but selections are limited. Film and batteries are NOT usually available onboard.

There is no tax levied on items purchased on the high seas.

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to purchase items while the ship is in port since the store will be closed by Customs, so plan accordingly.

Once in port, you'll find that large freighter ships often dock at container terminals some distance from the city. When going ashore, your shipping line may have a local agent who will arrange an excursion for you to the city. If not, take a taxi. Either way, be sure to confirm your return time and note the name of the berth and the address and phone number of the port's agency before leaving. Do NOT return late. The ship won’t wait for you.

"Lay days" or "lay time" are terms referring to the time in which a vessel loads or unloads cargo. Since this is a costly process for the shipping line, your crew will naturally be making every effort to keep it to a minimum.

Yes, but not directly from one US port to another. You must visit a foreign port between US ports. A federal law prohibits foreign-flagged vessels from receiving and discharging passengers at any two US ports without stopping at an intervening foreign port. This law affects the coastlines of North America, the Caribbean and even parts of northern South America.

It really depends on your body’s ability to cope with conditions at sea. Seasickness is basically a reaction to instability. Contributing factors to instability would be the size of the ship, the amount of cargo and the weather. Since there are no stabilizers on freighters, there can be a significant amount of pitch and roll in rough seas.

Larger freighters, with their heavier loads, would run deep in the water and tend to sail smoothly through choppy conditions. As you might expect, the larger the ship, the smoother the ride. If you’re somewhat vulnerable to seasickness, opt for a larger freighter.

If you’re still a little apprehensive about sea conditions and want to be able to take precautionary action, ask your doctor if pills are appropriate for you. Keep in mind that barring foul weather, waves will typically not exceed 15 feet and that’s very manageable for any freighter.

Read more about preventing seasickness .

Though relatively rare, some pirate activity still exists in a few unstable areas of the world. Typically only smaller and slower vessels would be targeted. Since activity is monitored daily, vulnerable ships can easily avoid these areas.

The International Maritime Organization is the United Nations’ specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety. It monitors, investigates and reports piracy at www.imo.org.

Commercial Crime Services, a division of the International Chamber of Commerce, regularly updates piracy reports at the following link: Piracy Reports