Has anyone here ever done this, looked into this, considered this, or anything? I thought maybe it would be a fun alternative to flying, since even though I've been on a heap of transatlantic flights since I was 4 years old, I just really do not like being on airplanes all that much.
After doing some looking, I've kinda narrowed down some pros/cons:
PROS:
- You actually get to walk around and move during travel.
- You get an actual bed to sleep in.
- No worry about climbing over people when you really have to use the lavatory.
- Sunshine and fresh air on the deck.
- Many ships allow you to observe day-to-day activities on the bridge and chat with the crew.
- I assume that since it's a freighter there would be some room for your personal cargo and luggage, i.e. sturdy weapon cases and trophies that might otherwise not get put on the airplane.
- Traveling by ship used to be the only way to get to Africa, so there's some degree of added adventure there.
CONS:
- It takes bloody forever (weeks!) to get where you're going, as opposed to a relatively fast plane trip.
- It's bloody expensive (rates seem to be based on a per-day basis, I've seen it listed as $100/day in some cases).
- Travel is far less direct and may make additional stops or encounter inclement weather that can further delay getting there or getting home, so that could interfere with your hunt.
- Unlike flying, freighters do not always make port in the most convenient of places so you'll probably have to tack at least some airfare on too.
I'm sure there're more than those but that's what struck me when I was doing some browsing. Any of y'all have thoughts on the matter?
~~W.G.455
Bringing rifles for Safari may be a problem. Must check with shipping company is it allowed or not.
Health issues.
I had a case when elderly pax, during heavy rolling of ship, fell out of bed. Broke a leg, or a hip.
Few days away from port. No available chopper medevac at that time, in that region. Imagine the rest. I was officer then, helped what was neccesary, I can only imagine the captains paperwork, comms, or how the pax felt for few days, till getting in port
Many modern ships are very fast.
Crossing Atlantic in 7 days. Cost for pax, is around 100 usd per day.
So, it may be cca 700 usd one way ticket. I dont think is too much.
Another point.
Ships can be delayed. Not few hours like airplanes, but like few days. Due to weather. Or anchoring, in cases of port congestion. How to charge for delay? Have to be checked with operator. If going to safari by ship, clear up with Outfitter, what to do in case of delays.
Good point for the ship travel.
You will go on a bridge, you will see navigation, instruments, radars, procedures, manouvering, will talk to officers and captain, and you will LEARN something new. Travel with airplane, learn nothing. If the time and place is convenient ask officer to show how to make position by sextant, etc etc
