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Example cargo ship
– Container ships: these “kings of the sea” are today’s most common powerful and fast merchant ships. Also called “box carriers”, in seafarer’s jargon, they are easily identified by their large, multicolored, identical metal boxes. Their size is measured in the number of 20-foot containers they can stow, although almost all containers are now 40 feet long. The largest are over 300 m long.
– Bulk carriers: these ships carry bulk goods (ores, paper, grain, pipes…), in huge holds.
– Ro-ro ships: their name comes from the abbreviation of “roll on-roll off”. These ships are equipped with a sort of drawbridge so that vehicles, cars or trucks can be brought on board.
– Reefer ships: these generally fast and rather modestly sized ships carry perishable goods: bananas, frozen fish and meat
Practical details
– On the majority of cargo ships, no more than twelve passengers are taken on board. Beyond that, legislation requires that there be a doctor on board.
– For passengers, there are commonly three types of cabins, with bathroom and air conditioning: two-room cabins, others with double bed, or the single “room”. Some even have a small refrigerator and even a television.
– Meals, served at regular times (e.g., 7:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.), are taken with the crew.
Destinations and prices
– You should expect to pay an average of €100 per day, including meals.
– One of the most popular destinations is to South America (Le Havre-Buenos Aires) with the Grimaldi company: 23 days outbound, 28 inbound.