Hey all, I’ve been looking at different ways to get back to the US from NZ when I finally go. (not for at least another year or two, but I like to plan ahead.) I was hoping to maybe get a job on a cargo ship, but as I understand it this is virtually impossible as a short-term option due to insurance regulations and third-world registration of most shipping lines. Sadly the days where you could find a willing captain and work out passage for labor are gone. However, a lot of shipping companies will book out cabins on their ships for around $80-110 a day to passengers. I’ve always wanted to cross the ocean on a ship, and since a 17-day trip from NZ to the US will price at close to a one-way air ticket I want to give it a go. Anyone have experience doing this, or have any advice? At least I won’t have to pay extra to ship my boards back! Thanks for any info.
You’re in the land of lots of white sails, I mean long white cloud. Search out some yachties who are going that way. It would probably be a bit slower, but a hell of a lot more fun, and you may end up getting more waves along the way. And even though you may pay as working crew, it’s possibly cheaper in the long run. Check companies for yacht delivery crews.
Don’t forget cargo ships are greasy, oily, dirty, have no distractions besides drinking and reading, everything is metal all around, space is precious, walkways narrow, cramped, short on height, there’s no where to escape all that, and NOISY!
I’d love to lock myself in a metal box with kids banging the sides for 17 days…
Most ships that even bother taking pax these days will likely have good accomodations. Travelling on a cargo vessel can be an awesome experience - peace, solitude (if yr travelin solo - got a babe with you it can be even betta)- if that’s what yr looking for. You don’t have all the discomfort, hassle, and required ‘social skills’ that come with travel on a yacht on long deep-sea voyages.
You have to take into account things like weather too. Also the type of trade the vessel in will largely affect things like what type of portcalls you make. Containerships usually are in and out of ports in less than a day - sometimes you arrive at night and sail before dawn. Go on a bulker and you will spend more time in port, adn they are slower. Crew can be a factor too - the Captain (not to mention other officers and crew) on a merchant vessel doesn’t have to be congeanial - and if you get one that feels you are complicating his already complicated life, he can make your trip pretty miserable.
Thanks for the replies, guys. Crew on a yacht would be cool, however I don’t have much blue-water sailing experience so I’d have to find someone willing to hire me as a chef, which is what I do day-to-day anyway. As I understand it, cargo vessels that take passengers will generally put you up in their spare officer’s quarters, which is defenitely posh enough for me. I’ll have to do some more research.
The only travel by ship I’ve done is the 300’ ferry from Rosslare to Le Harve. Got to hang out on the bridge for awhile. But, being in New Zealand, and planning ahead like you say you like to do, why don’t you hang out at a yacht basin and start volunteering to be weight on the rail, etc to get the experience you think you don’t have. Take anything you can get on at first, then after you figure out what’s going on with sailbaots, the rides can come pretty easily. You probably won’t get a ride to North America (assuming thats where you want to go) in one shot, but that’s what makes it an adventure. And you’re willing to cook.
Aco: You really don’t need much experience to be a hand on a yacht. As long as you’re cool with taking instruction and so forth- and in good shape. But the more you know, the more you got going for you in the eyes of a yachtie looking to take on a crewman. Being a cook is a definate + though. Best of Luck.
Thanks again for the advice guys, I’ll start planning it out…
hey cody
ill take you sailing if ya want to come up some time …
theres plenty of boats going abroad from auckland and nelson.
and being able to cook would be considered a pretty useful qualification
I havent a made an offshore trip myself
most are share expenses type trips so it can add up if its along trip
im sure you can line up some surfers to travel with as well
it boggles me you would want to leave the land of long empty [okay ,cold] waves to go [back?] to america , anyway !
just my .000002
ben
Hollywood and Vine.
Aco, would you keep us updated on this. I’d sure like to hear from others who’ve experienced “alternative” forms of surf/world travel.
…shipman and I were both abducted by aliens .
They STILL got part of me brain …but , you know what they say …“she’ll be RIGHT , mate !”
ben
Being a chef opens a lot of doors. why not try cheffing on a super yatch. they pay us dollars. Had some friends do this from the whitsundays to England .cool way to travel.
I will keep everyone updated, the whole process will still be at least a year off but I like to have a plan to work towards. Paul, thanks for the offer, we’ve got to do that sometime! Chip, I don’t want to leave but they will give me the boot eventually if I don’t…fortunately they just granted me a work permit good till 2007-I’m super stoked on that! Maybe eventually we could add a travel resources section to the site-what do the mods think?
Chip, I don’t want to leave …
well , that’s reassuring … there’s a lot of hope for you ! ben