south pacific cargo ship cruises

ITINERARIES OF OUR POLYNESIA CRUISES

For the past 40 years , the Aranui, with its Polynesian staff and crew, has been introducing the mystical islands of the Marquesas to the outside world. We are always received with a warm welcome by the inhabitants of these  remote islands  , as the ship represents a vital link to the outside world. At the  six inhabited islands of the Marquesas , the Aranui unloads goods destined for the Marquesans and returns to Papeete laden with a cargo of copra, lemons, fish and barrels of “Noni”. Meanwhile passengers disembark to explore the islands and experience the richness of the Marquesas from the people and the history to the culture and breathtaking scenery.

In addition to its traditional itinerary to the Marquesas Islands, Aranui Cruises offers exceptional cruises to every island group in French Polynesia including the Austral , Gambier , Society and Tuamotu Islands , as well as neighbouring Pitcairn and Cook Islands . These unique itineraries  feature some of the most remote and rarely visited places in the world.  Step out of the ordinary and head off-the-beaten path  and be prepared to be amazed by the wonders of French Polynesia.

There are freighters, and there are freighters. But the fleet of ships that sail among the island groups in the South Pacific and Micronesia—copra boats, island traders, government field service ships, mission boats, and inter-island ferries—are rarely mentioned and are largely unknown to travel agents. They lie ready and willing to transport passengers into the “back of beyond.” So if in your round-the-world travels you want to go where tourists never tread, try hitching a ride on a local cargo ship. It’s easier than you might think. Let’s start in the South Pacific.

French Polynesia

The inter-island ship docks are a little beyond Papeete (on Tahiti ), where the land hooks out to form the harbor. Taxi out there and have a look at whatever ships are in port. Stroll aboard any vessel that looks interesting and ask where they’re going, for how long, the fare, and if you can see one of their cabins. (It helps if you speak a little French, but you can always make yourself understood.) If a certain ship appeals to you, go to their shipping office. This is what you’ll find:

To the Society Islands (the islands to the west of Tahiti—Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, and Maupiti): The ships of the Compagnie Francais Maritime de Tahiti make 4- to 6-day voyages to most of the islands. Most ships do not supply food, so come aboard with a relaxed attitude and plenty of rations (which are easily obtained in Papeete).

To the Tuamotus

The 69 islands of this group of jewel-like atolls lie to the east of Tahiti and cover an immense patch of the ocean. To get there, check with the Compagnie Francais Maritime de Tahiti. Their ships provide cabin class or deck passage and plenty of local color but no food. A week’s voyage will run about $180. Also, be sure to check around the docks in Papeete for a copra boat and experience the warts and all of the romance of South Sea cruising. Some ships provide a cabin and meals for voyages of 10 or so days for about $250.

To the Marquesas

These rugged, green, mysteriously beautiful and remote islands 750 miles east of Tahiti bear such magical names as Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, and Fatu Hiva. To get to them—and to the Tuamotus as well—you’ve got two choices: By far the most comfortable one is a cargo ship named Aranui, operated by the Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime. Travel agents in the U.S. know about her. She carries 60-100 passengers in both cabin and dormitory class.

The other option is aboard a ship a bit more authentically Polynesian. The Taporo V of the Compagnie Francais Maritime de Tahiti is a trading vessel that makes a 15-day voyage to the Tuamotus and the Marquesas. Fares, including cabin and meals, come to $750. Look at the ship in Papeete.

The Cook Islands

Rarotonga, with its forested mountains, verdant coastal plain, and fringing reef, is the principal island of the group. The beauty of the island when first seen will cause a gasp. Sea travel in the Cooks is only for the hardiest and most flexible voyagers, but the benefits make the voyage more than worthwhile.

To the Northern Group (Penryhn, Manihiki, Puka Puka, and Palmerston): The Tapi Taio Shipping Company in Avarua, Rarotonga has a ship named the Tai Moana, a small, spartan vessel that makes the 800-mile run to all the islands. Because only one of them, Penhryn, has a safe lagoon and wharf, the ship must stay at sea and use whaleboats to unload cargo and passengers.

To the Southern Group (Aitutaki, Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke): A somewhat larger ship, the Maungeroa of the Tapi Taio Company, visits the closer islands—150 or so miles from Rarotonga.

Western Samoa

A delightful destination even if you don’t go to sea. For one elusive but wonderful opportunity write well ahead of time to the Office for Tokelau Affairs, Apia, Western Samoa and ask about the sailing dates of their chartered ship. It carries 12 cabin and 68 deck passengers on a voyage of eight to nine days and stops at each of the three atolls—Fakaofa, Nukumonu, and Atafu. None have ports, so the ship must stand off while whale boats negotiate the openings in the reef to pick up the only export, copra. Good luck to you. I’ve come close but never been successful. I keep trying.

The Kingdom of Tonga

Polynesia’s oldest monarchy consists of three main island groups—Tongatapu, the capital, Ha’apai, and Vavau.

To Ha’apai: This archipelago scattered over a large stretch of the sea about 100 miles north of Tongatapu consists of dozens of low-lying atolls. Lifuka is the administrative center. To get there by sea, check with the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia in Tongatapu and ask about the Olovaha. This ship—more inter-island ferry than cargo ship—sails from Tongatapu every Tuesday and fetches up in Lifuka 12 hours later.

The same ship leaves Lifuka in the evening and arrives at Vavau the following afternoon. I’m sure you’ll agree with the yachters who have found Vavau. They know a good thing when they see it.

The total land mass of Fiji’s 332 islands comes to about 8,000 square miles. By South Pacific standards, it’s a big, diverse country, and there's much to see and do among her beaches, mountains, towns, and cities. The harbor at Suva always has many trading vessels, inter-island boats, and copra ships tied up at the docks. As in Tahiti, walking aboard and discussing things with the captain is easy.

In Nadi, on the other side of the island from Suva, everyone knows about the glamorous cruise boats that sail off to the dozens of idyllic islands of the Yasawas and Mamanucas. However, the better and much less expensive choice is the Kaunitoni, from Suva to the Lau Group (east of Fiji, towards Tonga). On its 10-day run, the Kaunitoni makes about 12 stops at green and volcanic islands to deliver cargo and pick up copra. While the ship provides no food, cooking facilities and utensils are available.

In Port Vila on Efate Island, the capital of Vanuatu, the harbor is right in the center of town, and the vessels tied up there are available for examination. Ask around the piers about the Konanda, the Lali, and the Onma II. These and other ships like them are on the elemental side. Still, for few dollars a day, simple meals included, someone will take you to remote outer islands—places such as Malekula, where they were killing and eating each other as late as 1930, and Pentecost island, where men tie vines to their ankles and leap out of trees. You’ll be taken ashore by canoe to other islands where you’ll be stared at, smiled at, and given the chance to buy some good carvings. The outer islands of Vanuatu will stay in your memory forever.

The Solomon Islands

Honiara, on Guad-alcanal, the capital of this independent nation, offers visitors all amenities but few tourists are seen. If this is the capital, think what the myriad outer islands are like.

Go to the Coral Sea Shipping Company and ask about the sailing of the Iuminao. This ship, carrying 50 deck passengers, also has two first-class cabins, but meals are not provided. Think of it as camping in an air-conditioned cabin with a small refrigerator and a full bath. Food is easily purchased at Honiara shops. On its 3- to 4-day voyage to Gizo in the Western Provinces it makes 11 stops—all picture-postcard quality.

For other ships to remote areas visit the local yacht club in Honiara and talk to some of the members about other destinations. Maybe, as once happened to us, you’ll be invited on short cruise.

Papua New Guinea

The eastern half of the second largest island in the world includes a cluster of islands off its north coast—New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, Manus, The Trobriands, and scores of smaller islands. These areas, as well as the north coast of New Guinea, offer everything an adventurer or escapist might want, and one can expect a good meal, a cold drink, and a fair bed every night.

Ships can easily be found. We’ve sailed away on several of them just by approaching the captain. Ask about trips up the Sepik River, to the Trobriands, New Britain, Samarai—almost anywhere they go. Fares are reasonable, and some of the ships are quite comfortable. So it goes in the South Pacific.

The 2,100 “tiny islands” of the Pacific, mostly north of the Equator, are scattered over three million square miles of the sea between Hawaii and the Philippines and make up four new countries: The Republic of the Marshalls, The Federated States of Micronesia. The Republic of Palau, and The Northern Marianas Islands. Accommodations and food are reasonable. People are friendly. English is spoken. There are no unusual health problems. And American currency is used.

Some seasonably comfortable Government Field Service ships sail to some of the world's most remote, often exotic, islands.The best places to find the ships are Pohnpei, Yap, Majuro, and Palau. You’ll sail away with a collection of island administrators, doctors, a judge, or maybe even a dentist on working voyages. Check with the Field Service Office in each of these places. You just have to be on hand when a ship is in port. Shipping offices rarely reply to people requesting space or information.

For those who do not wish to book directly with shipping companies, Maris Freighter and Specialty Cruises and Maris Freighter Club Int'l offers a variety of voyages to many destinations. You can go from island to island. You may cross the ocean 1-way. You may even choose from around-the-world cargo ship cruise options.

TOM BOOTH is a retired dentist who, in the process of practicing his profession, lived and worked in California for years. Then, with two grown sons, he and his wife have lived, worked, and traveled in the Congo (Zaire), Australia, the South Pacific, Europe, Guam, and Hong Kong. All of this has contributed to his enthusiasm for writing. He is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and lives in Eugene, O R.

Freighter cruising on Aranui 3 in the South Pacific

Jacques Brel’s memory is alive, well and living in Atuona

The voice is unmistakable, even 20 yards away from a bright green barn that sits at the edge of a beach on Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands of the South Pacific. Inside is a memorial to chanteur Jacques Brel, who was known throughout the world as a passionate singer, songwriter, and movie star.

Listening to Brel on a warm, humid afternoon was one of the highlights of a freighter cruise to the remote islands of French Polynesia on Aranui 3.

Brel’s private twin-engine plane, Jojo, hangs from the ceiling of the barn in Atuona on the south side of the island. His grave, on a hill overlooking Atuona Bay, is well marked and celebrated with fresh flowers. His body lies only a row of stones away from less loved, less flowered Paul Gauguin, who died on the island in 1903.

Few passenger ships stop in Atuona (Seabourn Odyssey will call in 2016), so your best shot at Brel’s memorial is the four-hour visit every three weeks by the freighter Aranui 3, out of Papeete, Tahiti.

The number of travelers planning an exotic trip on an ocean freighter pales in proportion to the swarms of folks who vacation on big cruise ships. But freighter travelers are a serious, enthusiastic, and adventurous lot.

On the two-week voyages of the Aranui 3 (it rests every third week in port at Tahiti), conversations often turn to the joys of passenger life on a working freighter.

Reading, writing novels, sharing stories

You meet travelers armed with unread books and unfinished novels, or plans just to loll about at sea awaiting the next remote port to explore ancient tribal artifacts, meet locals, search for the infrequent Internet connection, or spend such an afternoon as mine, with the memories of Jacques Brel (1929-1978).

Long, fairly comfortable trips on freighters and container ships are available in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They are booked reliably through specialized travel agencies (the most popular is Freighter Cruises ).

Most freighter voyages are on French or German ships, with accommodations for 4 to 12 passengers. The ZIM Ontario, for instance, does a round trip every 10 weeks from New York through the Panama Canal to ports in Korea, China, and back.

Comforts, guided tours on Aranui 3

Shorter, regularly scheduled freighter voyages, with passengers, are few. None offer the capacity, comforts and guided tour possibilities of Aranui 3 on its circle from Tahiti (with a port call at popular Bora Bora) through the remote reefs of the Tuamotu Islands and scenic, lightly populated, volcano-built Marquesas.

From Tahiti, the busy Aranui 3 churns north and east until Fatu Hiva, the most lush and remote of the Marquesas (no landing strip, no hospital), retracing some of the route on the way back.

The freighter ship is a lifeline to these islands, delivering mail, food, toilet paper, cars, boats, kitchen appliances, fuel, and, occasionally, a loaded casket. On one island of my voyage earlier this year, five pallbearers awaited a coffin as it was swung by crane from ship to shore.

About two-thirds of the Aranui 3, built in 2003 for a growing demand, is for freight. The rest is open to passengers, as many as 188 if all the beds are filled, including 16 in two bunk-bed dormitories with privacy curtains. Seldom are all the beds full.

The key to sailing on Aranui 3 is what this voyage offers that many cruise ships do not: A strong sense of place and a concerted crew effort, through guided tours and host lecturers, to help travelers understand local customs, food, cultures, and history in this part of the Pacific that is off the path of many modern ships.

Through the centuries, the Marquesas have suffered from the importation of diseases, alcohol, and modern weapons, including nuclear testing.

At daybreak, on deck, we could join stretching exercises, led by the hard-working cruise director and based on local dancing techniques that were performed for us later on the islands. The women did a lot of rolling in the center of their bodies; men mostly moved their knees apart and back together.

We roamed Nuku Hiva where Herman Melville was held captive in 1842, leading to his most popular book, Typee .

We met many islanders who are well etched in tattoos, now that ancient customs no longer are forbidden (by the do-gooders from afar, preaching against ancestor worship).

“The tattoo was, and now is again, a man’s identity card, explaining his life and his family connection to ancestors,” said Didier Benatar, a local tour guide.

We ate well at big tables, tasting the many expertly prepared possibilities of breadfruit and fresh fish. An alternative main course was offered, but this was not a tasty cruise for non-fish eaters. One passenger on my voyage brought and finished off a giant jar of peanut butter, which served as dinner when his alternative was anything other than a thin beefsteak.

Freighter cruises such as the Aranui 3 also offer passengers a unique opportunity to get to know the seamen who work the docks and hold. One evening, a fully muscled crew member, who was always present when the ship was loading and unloading with cranes and chains, talked about his island and shipboard life.

Another crew member gave a detailed body tour, head to toe, of his many artistic tattoos and their meanings.

These freighter cruises draw an adventurous, well traveled crowd.

If you want to sail on Aranui 3, better hurry. A new ship is under construction in China and promised to Tahiti for winter 2015-2016. Drawings show a fancier ship, but Aranui 5 — no number fours allowed because of superstition — will not be much larger than Aranui 3, with double the number of dorm beds.

FOR INFORMATION

Contact a travel agent who specializes in cruises; the Aranui U.S. agent in California at 800-972-7268; or visit the company’s website, www.aranui.com. Brochure rate for a standard cabin for 13 nights is about $4,700 per person for two people. A dormitory bed is about $3,000. The top suite is about $7,200 per person. Prices include all meals, with wine, and well guided excursions, including lunch picnics and catered meals on shore. Do not count on frequent Internet connections.

Photos by David G. Molyneaux, TheTravelMavens.com

David Molyneaux writes regularly about cruising news, tips and trends at  TravelMavenBlog.com . His cruise trends column appears  monthly   in U.S. newspapers and on other Internet sites,  including  AllThingsCruise .    He is editor of  TheTravelMavens.com  

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• Travel Ideas

The best cruise journey in French Polynesia is on a cargo ship

You can’t reach the most idyllic islands in French Polynesia on a cruise liner – you’ll have to hitch a ride on a cargo ship. It’s worth it.

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Cruise passengers are usually the most important cargo on the ship. The whole journey is for them, after all – what is a cruise without its passengers.

On the Aranui 5 , passengers are important, of course, but they’re not the only priority. And that’s what makes it so special – and incredibly popular.

The Aranui 5 , which is in dry dock in Sydney this month, is one of the last mixed passenger freighters in the world. It’s half leisure cruise, half cargo ship.

Operated by the family-run, Tahiti-based company Aranui Cruises, the 126m-long vessel’s first purpose is to deliver supplies to the remote and idyllic Marquesas Islands, for which it’s become a lifeline for vital supplies.

But along for the ride on these delivery runs are 250 or so passengers kicking back and enjoying the journey to jaw-dropping destinations regular cruise ships simply can’t reach.

In fact, the Aranui 5 is the only vessel that can access the spectacular Marquesas, a group of 12 tiny islands so remote it takes two days to sail there from Tahiti.

Its freight deliveries form the backbone of its regular, and very popular, two-week island-hopping cruise from Tahiti through the Marquesas Islands, the Tuamotu Islands and Bora Bora.

The ship itself is a true blend of passenger and freight operations.

At the bow, giant shipping containers are loaded and offloaded by huge cranes. This provides a hypnotic sight for the cargo ship fanatics inevitably among the passengers on the Aranui 5 – and there are plenty of viewing spots where they can take in the action of the working ship.

Elsewhere, the Aranui 5 has everything typical leisure cruise passenger needs, with all the mod cons you’d expect: a restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, four bars, a swimming pool and spacious deck area, a library, day spa, conference room and boutique. In a nod to the ship’s Polynesian heritage, you can even get a tattoo on-board.

There are a variety of rooms, from standard cabins through to the luxe presidential suite, which comes with a $13,000 price tag for the current Marquesas itinerary. (More itineraries are coming — and more on that later.)

The ship has a capacity for about 250 passengers, and its crew are almost all Polynesian.

French-born captain Loic Glavany, who brought the Aranui 5 to Sydney for its first Australian visit last week, said it was a pretty social affair on-board.

“We manage to have a close relationship with the passengers, which is also in the Polynesian way of being – more than 90 per cent of the crew is Polynesian, and they really want to get to know other people,” he said.

It’s so friendly on-board, most of the time passengers are even often allowed on the bridge.

“If we’re doing manoeuvres through tricky passages we’ll close the door, but when it’s open seas they can come in.”

Mr Glavany said as a captain, the ship offered the perfect middle ground between the commotion of a mega cruise and the often “isolating” experience on a freight vessel.

Originally from Brittany in France and otherwise based in Greece – both with strong seafaring pasts – he said he’d learnt a lot from the local crew on the Aranui 5.

“Polynesians have a unique way to see the sea, to feel the ocean,” he said. “I’m learning a lot from the Polynesian people.”

Aranui Cruises traces back to the current owners’ grandfather Wing Wong, who operated shipping routes in French Polynesia.

In the early 1980s the family business jumped on growing interest in freighter travel, and its ship at the time, the Aranui 1 , was converted to accommodate passengers.

“There were people who liked to travel on freighters,” Aranui Cruises executive vice-president Eric Wong said. “It was freighter travel, a really niche travel. And it became really popular.( Aranui 1 ) was always filled up. So then we bought a used vessel that we retrofitted, which became Aranui 2 .

“And all this time we’d developed the itineraries, how you get to the different parts of the islands. We had guides that gave history. We had archaeologists that taught us and helped us, and they lecture on-board today.”

Mr Wong said the company’s local knowledge and deep association with the islands set the Aranui 5 apart from other Pacific cruise experiences.

“There are other cruise liners that go through Tahiti and they’ll hit some of these islands, but it doesn’t mean they have that history and the education we’ve developed,” he said.

“Yes, you can get to some of these islands, but we really kind of immerse you in that culture. Because there’s nobody to do that for you. They don’t have touring companies on these islands – these islands have 500 living there or 1000.”

This week the company announced it was adding three new itineraries to its 2021 program.

These include its first foray to the Cook Islands, its first dedicated cruise to the Society Islands, and an expanded itinerary taking in Pitcairn, an in-demand group of islands best known from the HMS Bounty mutiny affair.

A new 13-day cruise to the Tuamotu, Gambier and Pitcairn Islands is priced from $8486 per person twin share and departs in January 2021.

A 12-day Society and Tuamotu cruise starts at $7192 per person twin share from May 2021.

And an Austral and Cook Islands cruise, which includes stops at Aitutaki and Rarotonga, starts at $8152 per person twin share and begins in September 2021.

“We’ve been taking guests to the far-flung corners of French Polynesia for more than 30 years, and while our regular voyage to the Marquesas will always be popular, we’re thrilled to be expanding our offering to show off the diverse people and places of our patch of the Pacific,” Aranui Cruises’ regional representative for Australia and New Zealand, Laurent Wong, said.

For now, the freshly repainted Aranui 5 remains in dry dock in Sydney’s Garden Island – where it’s dutifully having its mandatory maintenance checks – before it sails back to Tahiti on Friday.

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After 11 years of delays, the billionaire businessman has rehashed his plans to replicate the ill-fated ship.

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EMBRACE THE ISLAND LIFE

South pacific cruises.

Find an island oasis that's wild, beautiful and brimming with life in the South Pacific.

The South Pacific islands are the definition of paradise, and the abundance of wildlife is sure to capture your lust for adventure. Beaches of warm, powdery white sand and aqua waters are surrounded by tropical rainforests and soaring mountains. The world's second-largest double barrier reef surrounds the islands of New Caledonia, where a lagoon teems with a kaleidoscope of fish and sea-life. Majestic humpback whales glide between the islands of Tonga, the only South Pacific area to escape colonization. The Loyalty Islands have a wild beauty that will spark your imagination, while the friendly locals will make you feel right at home. Cruise to the South Pacific to settle into island time and relax into the simple life.

Spread Your Fins In The South Pacific

Find an island oasis that is wild, beautiful and brimming with life in the South Pacific

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A WHALE OF A TIME

Whether you dive, snorkel or swim, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the sparkling warm waters and colorful coral gardens. See marine life and shipwrecks off Vanuatu's remote Espiritu Santo Island, or spot humpback whales in the waters near Tonga and Moorea .  

NEW ZEALAND

PERFECT DAY AT LELEPA

STEP OUT OF YOUR SHELL

Celebrate your visit by shaking your hips to lively, traditional music. Let locals show you around hidden beaches and guide you through rainforests teeming with tropical wildlife. Check out the traditional village on Tanna Island near Vanuatu or Taga Village in Samoa. 

MYSTERY ISLAND

ALL THE WAYS TO EXPLORE ISLAND HOP THROUGH THE SOUTH PACIFIC

Let the gentle trade winds take you from the lagoons of Tahiti to the white sands of Fiji . No island is the same, and each beach is more beautiful than the next with an extensive things to do selection.

AUSTRALIA SYDNEY & MELBOURNE

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NEW ZEALAND & TASMANIA

VANUATU & FIJI ISLAND

ASIA THAILAND

Off the beach, make sure you cover your shoulders and wear knee-length shorts to respect local customs.

The South Pacific islands are a dream year-round, though the dry season from May to October tends to have more rain-free days.

Car rental is easy to come by and recommended if you want to explore the islands at your own pace.

Related Ports

A new adventure awaits in Tahiti and French Polynesia, where everything has a subtle hint of French style. Go for impressive hikes that end in waterfalls in Vanuatu. Or dive into the sparkling aqua waters of the island-sized lagoon in New Caledonia.

Brisbane, Australia

Adelaide, Australia

Airlie Beach, Queensland

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Lautoka, Fiji Islands

Moorea, French Polynesia

Cairns (Yorkeys Knob), Australia

Isle Of Pines, New Caledonia

Lifou, Loyalty Islands

Mare, New Caledonia

Akaroa, New Zealand

Bay Of Islands, New Zealand

Darwin, Australia

Doubtful Sound (Cruising), New Zealand

Esperance, Australia

Geraldton, Australia

Hobart, Tasmania

Melbourne, Australia

Mystery Island, Vanuatu

Noumea, New Caledonia

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Papeete, Tahiti

Champagne Bay, Vanuatu

Dunedin, New Zealand

Dusky Sound (Cruising), New Zealand

Tauranga, New Zealand

Vavau (Neiafu), Tonga

Wellington, New Zealand

Milford Sound (Cruising), New Zealand

Napier, New Zealand

Newcastle, Australia

Auckland, New Zealand

Perth (Fremantle), Australia

Picton, New Zealand

Port Douglas, Australia

Port Hedland, Australia

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Suva, Fiji Islands

Sydney (White Bay), Australia

Sydney, Australia

Willis Island (Cruising), Australia

Wollongong (Port Kembla), Australia

Lyttelton (Christchurch), New Zealand

Eden, Australia

Port Arthur, Tasmania

Cairns, Australia

Penneshaw, Australia

Gladstone, Australia

Exmouth, Australia

Raiatea, French Polynesia

Havannah Boulari Passage (Cruising), New Caledonia

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The pros and cons of taking one way to Alaska’s Inside Passage or Bora Bora

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No one would call the Aranui 5 a thing of beauty. Half cruise ship and half freighter, it has a cockeyed profile that only its maker could love.

It may not look like much, but it manages to sail to some of the most beautiful islands in the world.

The Aranui navigates the waters of French Polynesia, delivering cargo and passengers to places such as Bora Bora, the Tuamotu Atolls and the Marquesas Islands. Its itinerary offers a daydreamer’s voyage to the dazzling shores of paradise.

It’s not the kind of cruise that would appeal to most people who hop on a ship for a week’s vacation. No midnight buffets. No casino. No stage shows.

But if you’re a Walter Mitty type who fantasizes about jumping on a freighter to see the world, this type of ship might make your dream come true.

Call it Freighter Lite. These ships are more workhorse than thoroughbred, capable of doing an honest day’s work as well as carrying passengers. Surprisingly, some also offer a high level of comfort, given their hard-working nature.

They can be found, among other places, in Alaska, where the Marine Highway System ferries cars, supplies and tourists through the dramatic scenery of the Inside Passage or along the stunning coast of Norway, where Hurtigruten ferries carry freight and passengers year-round.

A crewman pulls a line on Hiva Oa, one of the Marquesas Islands. The Aranui 5 is a half cargo, half cruise ship.

The Aranui 5 unloads passengers and cargo via tender boats on the island of Hiva Oa as it tours the Marquesas Islands.

A morning exercise class aboard the Aranui 5 ship during the cruise in the Marquesas.

A suite on the Aranui 5 ship.

As the tender that brings ship passengers to shore pulls in, local girls sing a traditional song of greeting to the passengers in the Marquesas Islands.

On Rangiroa, one of the largest atolls in the world, an Aranui 5 passenger uses binoculars to look at the birds and the Aranui 5 ship, background, before the translucent lagoon.

On Ua Pou, a local girl, left, runs into the ocean as she and her friend play in the gentle waves as the Aranui 5 unloads its cargo, background.

On the island of Fatu Hiva, in the the village of Omoa, handmade dyed cloth is for sale to tourists visiting the Marquesas Islands aboard the Aranui 5 ship.

Aboard the Aranui 5.

People on the Aranui 5 participate in a dance lesson at sunset during a tour of the Marquesas Islands.

A festive dinner on the pool deck of the Aranui 5 during the cruise.

Hurtigruten passes Trondheim, Norway.

In French Polynesia, the Aranui 5 visits South Pacific isles carrying a couple of hundred passengers who delight in watching the ship off-load cars, fuel, pallets of toilet paper and other supplies and onload bananas, coconuts, citrus and fish.

“These ships offer an incredibly authentic experience,” said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor of CruiseCritic.com . “You won’t find bingo or any of the other trappings.

“I’m not denigrating these activities, but there are travelers who want more than that. They want to travel with locals and get to know the people, not just see the scenery.”

Those are the big pluses on these ships. You not only travel with vacationers like yourself, but you also are getting to know the single mother who has boarded the ship or ferry for a weekend visit with family members in a nearby village. You’re rubbing shoulders on the tender with a tattooed seaman who’s going ashore to visit his wife and kids.

When you go ashore, you’ll meet villagers who turn out to greet the ship, not because they want to sell you something but because they’re friendly.

“These ports are nothing like the ones you visit on cruise ships,” said Calabasas resident Mathy Simon, who sailed the Norwegian coast on a Hurtigruten ferry. “You’re not going to get off the ship and see a row of jewelry stores that open whenever a ship is in the harbor.”

For the most part, her ship visited tiny communities where the residents’ only access to the outside world was the ship.

“They use it like a bus or a train: They get on and get off at the next village. It’s their only mode of transportation,” said Simon, who traveled with Kyle, her college-age son.

The bottom line: “The trip was amazing. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Aboard the Aranui 5

Hiva Oa, Ua Pou, Nuku Hiva, Fatu Hiva.

The words don’t exactly roll off the tongue. But that’s not surprising. They’re the names of some of the most remote islands in the world; all are part of the Marquesas Archipelago, 852 miles northeast of Tahiti and about 3,000 miles from the west coast of Mexico, the nearest continental land mass.

I visited them in the fall aboard the freighter-cum-cruise ship Aranui 5 (the word means “the great highway”), which carries cargo and passengers on 14-day, 2,200-mile round trips from Papeete, Tahiti, the capital of French Polynesia.

The ship came online in winter 2015, when it replaced earlier versions. Although it lacks some of the perks of large cruise ships, it makes up for it in the access it provides to a beautiful place that’s off the radar for most people.

We visited six Marquesas islands, plus Bora Bora and two islands in the Tuamotu Archipelago. At each stop, I thought I had discovered Eden. But then on the next stop, I’d feel that way again.

All of the ports were tiny; at some, virtually every resident turned out to greet us, dancing, singing and playing instruments.

They were our entertainment, and we were theirs.

Excursions were limited; for the most part, we took strenuous hikes each day.

Then we dined in whatever village we were visiting, with our international group of travelers broken into language groups: Australians, New Zealanders, Brits and Americans made up one group, French speakers (the largest group) were another and Germans made up a third group.

My fellow passengers seemed a hardy lot; they loved the daily hikes that took us to the top of volcanic mountainsides for inspiring views.

One day, our tender dropped us off at an isolated beach where we played in the water. Another day, some of the passengers chose an excursion by horseback. Snorkeling was available on some islands.

Cabins ranged from tiny, four- to eight-bed dorms — most of which were used by locals traveling from one island to another — to luxe penthouse suites.

Most cabins featured balconies and 55-inch flat-screen TVs. Unless you speak French, however, you’ll have only one oldies-movies station and CNN.

But the inconveniences are minor compared with the pluses, most travelers said.

“This trip introduced us to an incredibly beautiful area of the world,” said Catherine Cheshire, of Palm Springs.

“It was money well spent.”

Info: Aranui 5 , (800) 972-7268, www.aranui.com . Fourteen-day round-trip cruises from Papeete to the Marquesas Islands, including Bora Bora and Rangiroa: dorm rates, per person, from $2,920 (sharing room and bath); deluxe balcony rooms, per person, from $5,642. Rates include accommodations, meals and excursions.

Sailing the Inside Passage

Many people see Alaska’s Inside Passage from the deck of a plush, comfy cruise ship while holding a cocktail in one hand and binoculars in the other.

I saw it from the deck of a ferry. Not plush. Not comfy. No cocktails.

But I had binoculars, and that was all I needed to appreciate a combination of land and sea that stretches from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Skagway, Alaska.

The inland waterway snakes past magnificent fiords, mountains and islands, where bears roam and bald eagles soar.

The ferry system is called the Alaska Marine Highway because it’s the closest thing the state has to a freeway in the coastal regions.

When the ferry network launched more than 50 years ago, it opened the state’s isolated coastal towns to tourism and gave residents easier access to the outside world.

Today, it also gives tourists an alternative to exploring the state by cruise ship.

You can hop on a ferry — with or without a vehicle — in Bellingham, Wash., about 90 miles north of Seattle, and get off 1,437 miles later in Whittier, Alaska, near Anchorage.

Eleven ferries sail various sections of the 3,500-mile route. Most have food service, but there’s little else in the way of amenities.

Unlike a cruise ship, the ferry allows passengers to hop on and hop off. You can stay a few days in a pretty port such as Ketchikan or Juneau in Alaska, meet the locals, go exploring at an unhurried pace, and get on a later vessel.

You can choose your level of comfort. You can rent a simple cabin furnished with bunks and a shower, sack out on a chair in the lounge, or set up a pup tent on the deck. (But don’t forget the duct tape to fasten down the tent. It’s a ferry, not a luxury liner.)

Info: Alaska Marine Highway , (800) 642-0066.

Sample fares:

Valdez to Whittier, Alaska: (six hours): $215 for one adult fare, including a 19-foot vehicle.

Prince Rupert, British Columbia, to Skagway, Alaska (1 1/2 days): $890 for one adult fare, including a two-berth cabin and a 19-foot vehicle.

Bellingham, Wash., to Skagway, Alaska (three days): $2,096 for one adult fare, including a two-berth cabin and a 19-foot vehicle.

Norwegian thrills without frills

Fiords, mountains and beautiful scenery aren’t limited to Alaska. Many people rank Norway as the most beautiful country in the world, primarily because of those attributes and its magical coastline.

Enter Hurtigruten (literally “swift route”), which has provided a lifeline for isolated Norwegian communities for more than 120 years.

From a traveler’s standpoint, the line’s 12-ship coastal fleet also provides a healthy dose of Mother Nature’s finest along more than 1,000 miles of Norway’s pristine coastal waterway.

More than 10,000 Americans sail the route annually, many taking a six-day sailing from Bergen to Tromso that will take them above the Arctic Circle.

Calabasas resident Mathy Simon and her son made the trip in February.

“We wanted to explore the Arctic in winter, see the Northern Lights and stay at a snow hotel.”

They met those goals while also learning about the communities they visited.

“It’s amazing how these ships deliver not just people but goods along the route,” she said. “The ship delivers an authenticity you don’t get when you’re just stopping in a port.”

Simon, who sails frequently, said that the Hurtigruten rooms are simpler than those on cruise ships but that the food far exceeded that on a big ship.

“The food was over the top,” she said. She described dining on cheeses and other products collected from farmers along the coast, and on giant fresh crab delivered to the ship early in the day.

She’ll go back, she said: “Next time, I’ll see the verdant hills of Norway in the summer.”

Info: Hurtigruten , (888) 412-3059, www.hurtigruten.com . Daily departures for trips of six, seven and 12 days.

Seven-Day Classic Voyage North summer cruise: Rates begin at $2,036 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations and meals.

Should you go?

These vessels are cruise ships for people who don’t like cruise ships. Should you set sail on one? Here’s the nitty-gritty:

Don’t go if you enjoy:

► Large-scale entertainment such as stage shows

► All-you-can-eat buffets

► Dressing up for dinner

► Exploring large cities on port stops

► Hitting the casino

► Spending a day in the ship’s spa

Go if you enjoy:

► Low-key activities on board

► Cultural and historical activities (lecturers often add perspective about upcoming stops)

► Visiting people in their environment

► Hiking ashore

► Learning about local lifestyles

► Seeing magnificent scenery

[email protected]

Twitter: @latimestravel

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Travelling on a cargo ship is a unique experience.  Whether you love the sea, are conscious of your carbon footprint, don't like flying or simply prefer to sail in a relaxed atmosphere , away from the crowds, then travelling by cargo ship is the right choice for you.

We've been doing this for over 30 years and are passionate about providing a personalised service tailored to your needs. Alas, carriage of passengers on cargo ships is discretionary and since the pandemic available vessels are in sharp decline; we cannot speculate which routes or owners might accept passengers in future.

A NUMBER OF CRUISE SHIP  'VOYAGE OPTIONS'  HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE WEBSITE TO OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO FLYING AND IN THE ABSENCE OF CARGO SHIP OPTIONS. THERE ARE TRANSATLANTIC, SOUTH AMERICA, SOUTH AFRICA VOYAGES, MORE WILL BE ADDED IN THE COMING WEEKS - PLEASE ASK IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC CRUISE 'VOYAGE OPTION' YOU MIGHT LIKE TO FIND WE HAVE ACCESS TO MOST LINES.

WE ARE NOT OFFERING SHORT DURATION HOLIDAY CRUISES, ONLY POINT TO POINT LINE VOYAGES WITH A PURPOSE AND IN MOST CASES ONLY ABLE TO SELL TO UK RESIDENTS AT PRESENT OWING TO RESTRICTIVE CRUISE LINE PRICING PRACTICES.

www.voyageoptions.com  (under construction), Facebook.com/voyageoptions, Twitter @voyageoptions).

Do please take some time to check our website for available routes, also our ‘Ask the Captain’ section for frequently asked questions BEFORE contacting us!

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South Pacific cruises: everything you need to know

Warm waters, pristine beaches and friendly hospitality – all the hallmarks of a south pacific holiday. bernadette chua rounds up what the cruise lines offer for family getaways in the region..

The South Pacific is one of the most family-friendly holiday destinations in the world – and it’s still the most popular cruise region for Aussies. And as Easter is approaching, now is the time to book. We’ve found a mix of lines that accommodate children, from contemporary to premium and luxury.

Don’t be fooled into thinking only larger, contemporary lines like Royal Caribbean and P&O Cruises cater for the kids. Some high-end luxury lines even have dedicated areas for little ones, including Crystal Cruises which regularly sails to less accessible South Pacific ports of call such as Tahiti and Samoa.

Here are some of the best South Pacific cruises that mum, dad and the kids will love.

The family line regularly heads to popular islands in the South Pacific such as Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu, but on its longer cruises Carnival also calls at more remote destinations including Bora Bora, Papeete and Moorea. The shore excursions are fabulous for the entire clan – whether it’s a lagoon cruise with shark and ray feedings in Bora Bora or parasailing over Moorea’s crystal-clear blue waters.

Explore more:  carnival.com.au

Royal Caribbean

The line has Australia’s largest ship, Ovation of the Seas, as well as Voyager of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas, regularly sailing the South Pacific. Aside from the high-tech onboard activities for kids, Royal Caribbean also has shore excursions such as grotto and cave diving in Lifou and an underwater ocean walk in Vanuatu, perfect for little ones.

Explore more:  royalcaribbean.com.au

P&O Cruises Australia

You might think Australia’s favourite cruise line only sails to the more well-known destinations in the South Pacific, but P&O also regularly cruises to Papua New Guinea. It’s an amazing holiday spot for the family – rich in culture and history, and with plenty of active shore excursions such as the Alotau Cultural Festival and the Rabaul Volcanic tour. On board, there are plenty of activities in the kids’ club, from arts and crafts to sports, for when mum and dad want a little downtime.

Explore more: pocruises.com.au

This is a real adventure! The half-cargo, half-passenger ship is a different kind of cruising, and it’s well suited to family holidays. Aranui sails around Tahiti, particularly around the Marquesas Islands. It’s a wonderful holiday: passengers visit remote villages in the region and the kids will enjoy activities such as hiking, swimming, snorkelling and 4WD touring. While the cruise might not be appropriate for toddlers, older children and teens will have a blast.

Explore more: aranuicruises.com.au

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji

This family-friendly cruise line travels around the Yasawa Islands in Fiji – perfect for active tribes. As well as snorkelling and glass-bottomed boat tours off the ship for everyone, the staff organises events to keep children occupied on board while mum and dad go scuba diving or hiking. Captain Cook caters for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. The line also has cabins with four bunk beds and adjoining staterooms.

Explore more: captaincookcruisesfiji.com

Celebrity Cruises

The premium contemporary cruise line is more known for its older cruisers – but it shouldn’t stop the kids from having fun. Its Millennium Class has four ships – the Celebrity Millennium, Summit, Infinity and Constellation – which are more kid-friendly. There are designated youth areas: the Fun Factory for kids aged three to 11 and the XClub for teens aged 12 to 17. The ships’ crews organise tournaments as well as themed nights for children, as well as scavenger hunts and movies during the day for both kids’ clubs.

Explore more:  celebritycruises.com

Princess Cruises

While Princess is known for being more suited to adults, the line has really upped its offerings for younger cruisers. Camp Discovery has The Treehouse for kids aged three to seven, while The Lodge is for children aged eight to 12. Animal Planet and the California Science Center have also struck up partnerships with Princess, creating informative and fun programs such as dissecting a squid or learn more about space. Teens also have their own special area, and the exclusive Club 1820 is just for 18-20s.

Explore more: princess.com

Paul Gauguin Cruises

This luxury small ship cruise line might not be an obvious pick for a family cruise around the South Pacific, but the line has a fantastic kids’ program. There are a number of itineraries sailing around Tahiti, the Society Islands, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and the Marquesas. The line has partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Society to provide an exciting program for children and teens (aged seven to 17), which takes kids on dolphin-watching expeditions, swimming with sharks and rays and racing hermit crabs.

Explore more:  pgcruises.com

Crystal Cruises

Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, while branded as high-end ships, also boast dedicated mess areas for kids and teens. On sailings with 10 or more youngsters, junior activities directors run the show, and it looks like quite a show. Crystal Cruises normally sails around the South Pacific when its ships are in Australia for wave season. For the kids, there are art supplies, flat-screen TVs, and gaming consoles PlayStation 4, Nintendo Wii and Xbox One. The line offers babysitting and onboard restaurant the Trident Grill serves complimentary hot dogs, burgers and pizza.

Explore more: crystalcruises.com.au

Luxury line Seabourn does not actively cater for young travellers and there are no specific children’s facilities, however, teens and children are welcome on board and all shore excursions are free for kids. Seabourn does not accept babies under six months at the time of sailing. On Seabourn cruises the focus is on letting you experience nature up close in a way that is unique and exciting. For children old enough to explore, this means plenty of excursions and sharing your voyage with a knowledgeable expedition team of scientists, scholars and naturalists in destinations such as Papua New Guinea.

Explore more: seabourn.com

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent’s Seven Seas Voyager is a regular visitor Down Under, and this super-luxurious line allows you to head to the South Pacific with little ones (as long as they are over one-year-old on boarding). The Club Mariner Youth Program for five- to 17-year-olds has fun interactive activities including meet the captain, scavenger hunts, bingo, wacky Olympics, putt-putt tournaments, dance parties and movie nights. It’s all supervised by friendly youth counsellors and is for age groups five to eight, nine to 12 and 13 to 17.

Explore more: rssc.com

Silversea has no specialised programs for kids and does not provide activities, care or supervision of children while on board. Silversea also has limitations on its shore excursions for children under the age of eight. The line does offer family cruise savings when travelling with guests under the age of 18. Guests between two and 17 years old are 50 per cent off, while those under the age of two receive 75 per cent off.

Explore more: silversea.com.au

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Tips for Cruising on a Cargo Ship

All About Traveling on a Freighter

 Dan Barnes/Vetta/Getty Images

Cruising on a cargo ship might seem unusual if not absurd. But travelers do tag along for the ride on working vessels that frequently are transporting cargo and stopping at sometimes mundane ports.

Mundane might not sell cruises, but that word also could suggest an absence of gaudy tourism. Exotic, unspoiled attractions sometimes exist a short distance from an ordinary port city, and freighter cruise passengers generally have more time at a port for exploration.

So for the more adventuresome travelers among us, freighter cruises provide opportunities the vast majority of cruise passengers never experience. Are freighter cruises cheap? Price tags can be weighty, but the daily costs often work out to be quite reasonable. Also, keep in mind that you might need visas for some of the countries you stop at in the event you plan to disembark.

Freighter Cruise: Europe, Africa and Middle East

Mark D. Kahler

The Grimaldi Line  offers itineraries as short as 14 days from Southampton, U.K., but a more typical trip is of the 28- or 35-day variety. These trips can be booked through Maris Freighter Cruises starting at just more than 1,000 euros for the shortest trip and up to 3,600 euros or more for double-occupancy on the longest itinerary. The ports-of-call on these voyages are attractive. They include stops in Italy, Greece, Israel, and Turkey, as well as Dublin and Antwerp. 

The Royal Mail Ship RMS St. Helena makes frequent runs between Cape Town, South Africa, and the British island Ascension. 

The Bergen Line has grown into a passenger/cargo combination line. The ships delivered mail in Scandinavia, mainly along Norway's gorgeous western coast with trips to Iceland and Antarctica. Bergen now offers 11 ships that explore fairly small segments of that region.

Freighter Cruise: North and Central America

Mark Kahler

Hamburg Süd has freighter cruises leaving from a number of European ports with itinerary lengths of up to 84 days. It can cost from 600 euros to 1,300 euros to go to ports cities in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Maris' FreighterCruises.com offers trans-Atlantic itineraries that explore a number of American ports , including Miami, New Orleans, and Savannah. Daily charges for these trips can be quite economical. It is about the price of a discounted traditional cruise. However, a hidden cost on these trips may also be "port and vessel fees" that be significant on some trips.

Note that on these trips, the itineraries sometimes begin and end in Europe with multiple stops in North America. For those who want to start and end a freighter cruise in North America, a lengthy (think months) commitment of time usually is needed to sail to another continent and back again.

Freighter cruise: South America

Freighter cruises that explore South American ports typically leave from Europe. Embarkation takes place in Antwerp and Hamburg. You can also find trips leaving from Hong Kong.

Grimaldi offers departures about every nine days for South America from Tilbury, England, via West Africa. Yellow fever inoculations are compulsory. Another shorter freighter cruise ends in Buenos Aires. Costs for an inside cabin are paid in euros.

Hamburg Süd offers South American freighter itineraries that vary between about one to three months. Because the number of days is large, the costs mount quickly. But the ports-of-call would be hard to match on many conventional cruise lines. Included in the trip itinerary: Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Zárate, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Paranagua.

Freighter cruise: Asia and Australia

CMA CGN offers a Trans-Pacific itinerary connecting the Americas with China and Japan.

Hamburg Süd has a few long-transit options between Singapore and Hamburg. Daily costs are low, but again, remember that the number of days at sea can result in a large bill. Quite a few ports-of-call are along the Pacific Rim. These voyages are for people who are willing to leave home for months at a time. If you're planning a trip of this magnitude, you should compare prices and itineraries with traditional cruises and other freighter lines.

Hamburg Süd also offers an East Asia/Far East route, on "the largest container vessel of the world." 

The Aranui 3 line operates round-trip cruises from Tahiti and will arrange picnic lunches and shore excursions for its passengers. Unlike many freighter cruise operations, Aranui will even make arrangements for special diets if given proper notice.

Freighter Cruise Pros

So, why should you even consider a freighter cruise? Take a look at the savings: fares are often under $200 per person per day, according to Margi Mostue, retired president of Freighter World Cruises. Many traditional cruises run that much or more per passenger, per day.

There are no planned activities, but the trade-off is a high degree of privacy. A typical freighter only can accommodate about 20 passengers—and many take even fewer. You can spend the day on deck in a lounge chair, reading your favorite book with no disturbances. Many of us prefer that experience to a highly orchestrated shipboard experience.

Many freighters do offer basics like an exercise room, reading room, and a movie collection at your disposal. A few even have swimming pools.

One traditional cruise activity that should be better on a freighter is the bridge tour. The ship's officers are likely to have much more time for your questions. Mostue says many freighter passengers actually forge life-long friendships with crew members. Obviously, this will vary from ship to ship and crew to crew.

Cruise lines tend to target ports that are favored tourist destinations. While this is not a bad thing, it can mean incredible congestion. Some relatively small port cities host several large luxury liners at the same time. Freighter captains pull into ports to deliver cargo. The odds are slim that you will put into a small port congested with tourists.

Freighter Cruise Cons

Taking on a few paying passengers to create an added revenue stream is nice, but it is not priority one on a freighter cruise. For that reason alone, this is not a good option for many budget travelers.

For example, if the crew decides for business reasons to bypass a port you have targeted, you will probably get a brief explanation and perhaps an apology. That's it. The cargo comes first. You must accept that before leaving port, and for many budget travelers, this is not acceptable.

Passenger cruise ships are engineered for comfort, and all but a few of the oldest ships have modern stabilizers that steady the ship in rougher seas. On a cargo ship, you might need your sea legs. So, if you are someone who is prone to motion sickness, think carefully about booking passage on a cargo ship. Check with the freighter line for an estimate of how stable the ship will be in the conditions of seas typical during your intended season of travel.

The odds of traveling with a qualified ship's doctor are smaller than what is found aboard a traditional cruise. Maximum and minimum ages are often part of the agreement.

Delays can occur as shipments of freight are weighed, loaded, or unloaded. Also, if you want to dress up for dinner with the captain, attend lavish cocktail parties, and experience culinary pleasures like ice carvings, you will not get that and may be disappointed. Special dietary needs may not also be accommodated. 

In short, if you require a lot of attention from the staff, freight cruising might not be a good choice. These trips are for people who have no qualms about landing in port, making their own local arrangements, and taking off for a day of exploring. Prepaid shore excursions through the line are not an option. 

Accommodations differ from traditional luxury cruises, too. Although cabins might be bigger, beds probably will fall mostly in the twin and double categories. Furnishings will be pleasant and functional, but do not look for luxury.

The biggest drawback of all prevents most budget travelers from booking a freighter cruise. The lengths of these trips often are measured in months rather than days. Even the shorter freighter cruise itineraries can require a time investment of a  month or more. That said, it is possible to book shorter segments in places like Europe or the Americas.

The Bottom Line

Freighter cruises are favored by retired travelers or those who have arranged extended leaves of absence from the workplace. Families with a traditional window of vacation time (three weeks or less in most of North America) will find freighter cruise options difficult to arrange.

But if you have that precious commodity of time on your side, these trips come with some handsome financial rewards. For those who enjoy the itinerary and the exploration more than the water slides and the organized shipboard entertainment will find freighter cruise options quite attractive. Load your mobile device with a variety of good book titles, exercise some patience, and revel in the sea air.

These trips are rare in our hurried society. If you are privileged to take one, be grateful for the money you will save and the uncommon cruising experience you will have.

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11 Around-The-World Cruises For An Epic Getaway

"Sailing around the world" sounds so romantic, doesn't it? You're sailing to remote islands with like-minded people while chasing sunsets on a distant horizon. Sure, you can just board a plane to, say, New Zealand, but there's something so pure and patient about maritime journeys. Cruises are like floating resorts, which ease their way over the waves. It's the definition of "slow travel." 

Amazingly, in the modern world of jet-setting travel, round-the-world cruises do exist. Voyagers visit dozens of ports over the course of their odyssey, each with its own landscape, climate, and personality. There are lots of ways travelers can experience "the trip of a lifetime," but this kind of circumnavigation outmatches just about all of them -- and in style. However, there are a few things to consider before investigating such cruises. First, what does it actually mean to sail "around the world?"

Many companies use this phrase — and sail thousands of nautical miles — but only around a single ocean or hemisphere. Even when ships do sail a distance equivalent to the equator (or more), they rarely return to their precise port of origin. Also, these epic  cruise vacations can be pricey ; the kind of dream that merits cashing in a 401K, and the time commitment is also substantial, meaning months on the water. But for diehard cruisers, crisscrossing the planet could easily be worth the time and money, and if this sounds like you, these 11 cruise lines are scheduled to sail around the world.

Read more: The Prettiest Waters Around The World

Viking: World Cruise

For 138 days, passengers frog-hop through the Caribbean, pass through the Panama Canal, make their way to the islands of Polynesia, and skirt Australia, Asia, and Europe before finally dropping their anchor in London. On Viking's World Cruise, you can step ashore in 28 different nations and pick from 57 guided tours. Viking has been a prolific, respected cruise line since its founding in 1997, and this three-quarter circumnavigation sets sail in December 2024, so there's still time to book.

Ships are equipped with spas, luxury dining options, and cabin beds that can be separated or combined, among many other touches. Long before stepping aboard, the Viking website has a virtual 360-degree tour, acquainting future travelers with the ship's staterooms. Viking has thoughtfully put together a reading list to help travelers get a deeper understanding of the countries they will visit, which is especially helpful in little-understood destinations like Moorea and Indonesia. The ship also has a sizable library onboard for further research. This, plus its sophisticated tours and dining options that reflect the culture of each port, may explain Viking's moniker, "the thinking person's cruise." Quality does come at a price, with full passage starting at $59,995.

Ambassador: Grand Round The World Cruise

The Ambiance sets off from London, crosses the Atlantic, passes through Panama, and hits Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America before pinging back to the United Kingdom. Not only do you cross all the major oceans, but you actually cross the Atlantic three times. Most of these destinations are warm-weather ports, including Sydney at the height of summer. Sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats are recommended on this largely equatorial route.

Ambassador is new to the cruise scene, having been established in the United Kingdom in 2021, and Ambiance is its flagship vessel. Passengers will spend their 120-night voyage in extreme comfort, traveling to 24 countries and 34 ports of call, with top-notch dining, live entertainment, and about 35,000 nautical miles in between. If you can live without a porthole, opting for an  inside cabin on the cruise , then passage starts at the budget-friendly price of $8,500 per person, making this Ambassador cruise one of the most economical on this list. You can also add on drink packages and arrange tours in advance or onboard through an agent or the Ambassador app. You can also explore the ship before you travel, thanks to a 360-degree virtual tour. The 2024 voyage sets sail on June 6.

Regent: World Cruise

The 2026 Regent World Cruise starts in Miami and ends in Miami, which makes it convenient to coordinate, especially if you're already based in the United States. Regent Seven Seas Cruises was founded in 1992 and is a respected brand in the industry.

The ship, the Seven Seas Mariner, also lives up to its name with a formidable 154-night itinerary: the Panama Canal, points along Central America, a dozen Pacific islands, Australia, South Asia, East Africa, and two Atlantic islands before returning to Florida. The Mariner arrives in many well-trod ports like Cape Town and Acapulco, but the route also includes locations that most travelers would have trouble pinpointing on a map: Lautoka, Abidjan, and Male are all names cruisers will become familiar with. To really explore these places, Regent organizes a whopping 431 free shore excursions across six continents, 77 ports, and 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sailing nearly 40,000 nautical miles with world-class spas, dining, and entertainment aboard doesn't come cheap. While you'll need to contact Regent to request specific prices, passengers can expect to pay nearly $100,000 for passage. Regent's World Cruise is considered a luxury-level experience with first-class airfare, gratuities, and 24-hour room service included. If this is your tax bracket, just wait until you see the suites.

Royal Caribbean: Ultimate World Cruise

Royal Caribbean has been taking tourists to far-flung destinations since the late 1960s, and it's now one of the most recognizable cruise companies in the world, so naturally Royal Caribbean would host a round-the-world voyage. But even for seasoned travelers, the Ultimate World Cruise is pretty, well, ultimate. Royal Caribbean's world cruise lasts 274 nights and arrives in no fewer than 60 countries. In other words, you'll spend nine months at sea and personally visit more than a quarter of the sovereign nations on Earth. The saga starts and ends in Miami, where the Royal Caribbean is headquartered, which should make arrangements easy.

The biggest bragging right of all: This cruise touches on every single continent, including Elephant Island and Paradise Bay in Antarctica. You'll find yourself in both Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, plus ports you've never even heard of. That said, unless your soul is fueled by pure wanderlust, this itinerary may sound like a lot of cruising, which may explain why Royal Caribbean has divided the journey into four segments. Cruisers don't have to commit to the entire itinerary; they can easily pick from the quarter that most interests them. 

By the time you read this, a segment may be the only option left, as the next Ultimate World Cruise departs in December of 2023. The segments are significantly more affordable as well. An interior stateroom for the full cruise costs at least $60,000 per person, while a segment starts at $12,500.

Cunard: Full World Voyage

When the Queen Mary 2 departs from New York City on January 3, 2024, it won't return to this same harbor for 123 nights. The itinerary isn't exactly "around the world," but rather a crossing of the Eastern Hemisphere — twice. Passengers traverse the Atlantic to the United Kingdom, then ease their way down the eastern coast of Africa before beelining for Australia. The ship boomerangs back, with many stops in Asia, a shortcut through the Suez Canal, and a tour of the Mediterranean before heading back to the U.S.

The voyage comes at the heels of Cunard's 100th anniversary, making it the second-oldest company on the list. The Queen Mary 2 has been Cunard's flagship vessel since 2004, and the company has mastered hospitality over the past century, with exceptional dining, luxury suites, and Broadway-quality performances by the Royal Court Theatre. Cunard also takes pride in its children's facilities, encouraging families to travel together, as well as the great English tradition of afternoon tea. Most of the budget cabins on the Queen Mary 2 were already booked at the time of this writing, but cabins with balconies are still available, starting at the not-ludicrous price of $16,899 per person. 

Oceania: Around The World In 180 Days

When Junes Verne wrote his novel "Around the World in Eighty Days," his Victorian goal was to travel as quickly as possible. Oceania is now advertising the opposite: This journey takes passengers the long way from Los Angeles to New York City, across the Pacific, around Australia, along the coasts of East Asia, and then up through the Middle East, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and even Greenland. The itinerary doesn't spend much time in the "global south," so you'll have to visit Africa and South America another time.

The Miami-based Oceania was founded in 2002 and specializes in long-haul cruises, so they know their system well. This cruise may be especially appealing to foodies. The company takes particular pride in its onboard meals as well as in-country Culinary Discovery Tours. Passengers can also take advantage of The Aquamar Spa & Vitality Center, which can orchestrate a special dietary regimen.

Oceania exudes "small-ship luxury" and caps its total number of passengers at 1,250. Everything about the ship is more intimate than found on its larger cousins, from the live entertainment to the duty-free boutiques. If you like a small-town feel, 180 days should be just enough time to meet all your shipmates. If you can't summon the time or (at least) $47,599 by January 2024, the next ship departs in January 2025.

Princess: 111-Day World Cruise

This Princess cruise is another true circumnavigation, starting in Los Angeles and bearing west until the ship arrives back at its original dock. The 111-day cruise starts on January 18, 2024, and includes all three major oceans, both the Suez and Panama Canals, plus 47 ports along the way. The itinerary is light on Asian and African ports and skips South America altogether, but you can still enjoy visits to Australia, the Middle East, and numerous destinations around Europe.

Princess is a hallowed name in the cruise industry. Not only have its ships been sailing the world since the 1960s, but Princess is still one of the most profitable cruise companies in the world. Passengers can expect onboard enrichment programs, award-winning live performances, and rejuvenating treatments at the Lotus Spa. Each port will also bring its own offerings of special excursions, from river rafting to art tours. 

With its dependable quality of service and nearly four-month itinerary, it's remarkable that base bookings start at only $15,498. Better yet, if you want to circle the globe with the whole family, this Princess itinerary is a family-friendly cruise and offers youth programming, which is not always the case. If you miss this one, no worries. Three more, of varying lengths, are slated for January 2025.

Holland America Line: Grand World Voyage

Fort Lauderdale is the beginning and end point for the Zuiderdam, which spends 128 days making a complete circle around the globe. Holland America's Grand World Voyage is true to its name. Passengers travel across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, making port on five continents. Most of its destinations are clustered around Asia and the Mediterranean, and it skips over Australia. But the Voyage is a rare opportunity to sail up the Amazon River, with visits to inland Brazilian cities most travelers would never think to visit.

Holland America began as a shipping and passenger line in the mid-19th Century, and its history of cruising is nearly as old as the concept. The flagship Zuiderdam is a luxury vessel with a swimming pool and sizable theater. It also boasts several diverse dining areas, including the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, the Italian-themed Canaletto, and the à la carte Lido Market. There's Billboard Onboard, a special room for trivia nights and karaoke, as well as World Stage, a presentation space with a wraparound LED screen. Bookings start at the more expensive rate of $22,499 for an inside cabin, and the 2024 voyage will set sail on January 3, 2024, but you can expect additional Grand World Voyages to be slated in the coming years.

Azamara: World Voyage

Formerly part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, Azamara is now an independent company taking its own journeys. The 2025 World Voyage begins in San Diego and sails westward, across the Pacific, to Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, before passengers disembark in Barcelona. The World Voyage doesn't quite girdle the globe, stopping just short of the Atlantic Ocean, and the only stop in Africa is Giza. But this 155-night expedition should satisfy almost any traveler, especially with its 40 countries and 22 overnights.

Unlike many world cruises, Azamara has divided its full itinerary into segments with clear geographic themes, such as "South Pacific Jewels" and "Mediterranean Icons." These titles can help turn experiences into coherent narratives. For example, "Ancient Pathways" draws a historic and economic line between Mumbai and Athens, along with all ports in between. These themes are coupled with thoughtful excursions, which are often scheduled around local holidays and festivals. The World Voyage for 2024 appears to be sold out, but the 2025 edition sets sail on January 5. Passage starts at a princely $39,999.

Freighter Cruises

Some of us want to keep it simple. No need for late-night show-stoppers, cocktail parties with hundreds of strangers, or daring bets at the roulette wheel. "Freighter cruises" have gone by many names over the years, such as "banana boats" and "cargo cruises," but passengers have hitched rides on commercial ships since the dawn of seafaring. These accommodations come in many forms, and you do have to share your vessel with stacks of massive shipping containers; still, you can expect a comfortable cabin and regular meals, along with friendly and respectful crewmembers from around the world. For travelers with a Jack London streak, the freighter cruise feels raw and adventurous.

The Freighter Travel Club was founded in 1958, and companies like Maris Freighter Cruises and Voyage en Cargo have booked passengers on commercial vessels for years. Maris has arranged round-the-world itineraries in the past, and multi-week journeys are common, as enormous loads are floated from one nation to the next. The pandemic took its toll on this niche industry, and most of these journeys do not precisely travel around the world. But when they're in operation, freighter cruises usually cost a little over $100 per day, and savvy travelers have flexibility in their bookings.

Miray Cruises: Life At Sea

Sure, cruising is fun, but what if you want to turn your ship into a semi-permanent address? Life at Sea Cruises promises three years of luxury seafaring, with stops in 140 countries across all seven continents. By the time you're done with these 382 ports, you'll have more photos to sort through and stories to share than most people will amass in a lifetime.

That sounds life-changing, but we'll have to see whether it's too good to be true. Life at Sea is a brand-new enterprise from Miray Cruises, and the maiden voyage has been fraught with delays. However, at the time of this writing, Life at Sea should get underway by the end of 2023, and most full-voyage passengers should already be sailing by 2024. If all goes well, there are four scheduled embarkation options for travelers who want to hop aboard later on, and more will likely be scheduled.

One of the problems has been the ship itself. For a while, the purchase of the ship was in limbo, pushing back the original sail date. However, the MV Lara now seems ready to sail. The medium-sized vessel has space for 1,266 passengers, with a range of cozy cabins, a wellness center, and a pool deck, among many other amenities. Travelers committed to living at sea for three years should get a lot out of their floating home. Life at Sea is a dreamy concept, so let's hope for calm waters once it finally sets sail. 

Read the original article on Explore .

Grace Line (W. R. Grace & Co.), New York 1882-1969

Many thanks to Henk Jungerius and Ted Finch for their assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide. If you would like to know more about a vessel, visit the Ship Descriptions (onsite) or Immigrant Ship web site.

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Sail off to stunning destinations along the Pacific Coast on one of our breathtaking California cruises. Departing from the glamorous port of Los Angeles, these itineraries range from six- or seven-night journeys north to Oregon and Vancouver to unforgettable sailings of 14 nights or more that venture through the dramatic Panama Canal.

Embark on a Pacific Coastal cruise that visits scenic ports in California including cosmopolitan San Francisco and sleepy Catalina Island. Or embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the Panama Canal, stopping in beautiful destinations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala along the way.

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California is famed for its fine wines, particularly those grown in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Head out of San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge to the rolling wine country of Sonoma Valley, dotted with sleepy country towns and wineries. Here, you’ll visit a local grower, enjoy a tour of the winery, and have time for a tasting. Further north, in Oregon, taste some of the world’s finest pinots in the scenic Willamette Valley, where there are no less than 700 wineries.

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Join a guided hike over the scenic East End Trail on rugged Catalina Island, climbing to 1,684 feet, with sweeping views of the eastern shoreline. Commune with nature in this pristine environment, where you could spot bald eagles, Catalina gray fox, deer, and bison. From San Francisco, one of the most beautiful hikes is the six miles of trails snaking through Muir Woods, a primeval landscape of ferns and rushing streams shaded by magnificent redwoods.

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Make your way along the rugged Pacific Coast visiting unforgettable destinations in California, Oregon, and British Columbia. Explore rugged Catalina Island on two wheels, or on a guided hike. Take advantage of an overnight stay in San Francisco to explore the museums, taste dim sum in Chinatown, and visit the rolling vineyards of Sonoma or Napa Valley. Embrace the seaside charm of historic Astoria and stroll through the pristine Butchart Gardens in quaint Victoria on Vancouver Island.

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Baltimore bridge collapse wasn't first major accident for giant container ship Dali

Propulsion failed on the cargo ship that struck the Francis Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday as it was leaving port, causing it to collapse into the frigid Patapsco River. Its crew warned Maryland officials of a possible collision because they had lost control.

“The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel” and a collision with the bridge “was possible,” according to an unclassified Department of Homeland Security report. “The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse.”

An official speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed to USA TODAY that the DHS’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is working with federal, state, and local officials “to understand the potential impacts of this morning’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.”

Clay Diamond, executive director, American Pilots’ Association, told USA TODAY power issues are not unusual on cargo ships, which are so large they cannot easily course correct.

“It’s likely that virtually every pilot in the country has experienced a power loss of some kind (but) it generally is momentary,” Diamond said. “This was a complete blackout of all the power on the ship, so that’s unusual. Of course this happened at the worst possible location.” 

The ship in Tuesday's crash, Dali, was involved in at least one prior accident when it collided with a shipping pier in Belgium.

That 2016 incident occurred as the Dali was leaving port in Antwerp and struck a loading pier made of stone, causing damage to the ship’s stern, according to VesselFinder.com, a site that tracks ships across the world. An investigation determined a mistake made by the ship’s master and pilot was to blame.

No one was injured in that crash, although the ship required repair and a full inspection before being returned to service. The pier – or berth – was also seriously damaged and had to be closed.

VesselFinder reports that the Dali was chartered by Maersk, the same company chartering it during the Baltimore harbor incident.

The 9-year-old container ship had passed previous inspections during its time at sea, but during one such inspection in June at the Port of San Antonio in Chile, officials discovered a deficiency with its "propulsion and auxiliary machinery (gauges, thermometers, etc)," according to the Tokyo MOU, an intergovernmental maritime authority in the Asia-Pacific region.

The report provided no other information about the deficiency except to note that it was not serious enough to remove the ship from service.

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Why did Dali crash into the Baltimore bridge?

Officials said Tuesday they’re investigating the collision, including whether systems on board lost electricity early Tuesday morning, which could be related to mechanical failure, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Accidents at sea, known as marine casualties, are not uncommon, the source told USA TODAY. However, “allisions,” in which a moving object strikes a stationary one with catastrophic results, are far less common. The investigation of the power loss aboard the Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, will be a high priority.

In a video posted to social media, lights on the Dali shut off, then turned back on, then shut off again before the ship struck a support pier on the bridge.

Numerous cargo and cruise ships have lost power over the years.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea requires all international vessels to have two independent sources of electricity, both of which should be able to maintain the ship's seaworthiness on their own, according to a safety study about power failures on ships , citing the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

The Dali's emergency generator was likely responsible for the lights coming back on after the initial blackout, Diamond said.

“There was still some steerage left when they initially lost power,” he said. “We’ve been told the ship never recovered propulsion. The emergency generator is a diesel itself – so if you light off the generator, that’s also going to put off a puff of exhaust.”

Under maritime law, all foreign flagged vessels must be piloted into state ports by a state licensed pilot so the Dali's pilot is licensed by Association of Maryland Pilots .

Diamond described the incident based on information from the Maryland agency that licensed the pilot aboard the ship. His organization represents that group and all other state piloting agencies in the US.

“The pilot was directing navigation of the ship as it happened,” he said. “He asked the captain to get the engines back online. They weren’t able to do that, so the pilot took all the action he could. He tried to steer, to keep the ship in the channel. He also dropped the ship’s anchor to slow the ship and guide the direction.

“Neither one was enough. The ship never did regain its engine power.”

How big is the Dali ship?

The Dali is a 984-foot container vessel built in 2015 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. With a cruising speed of about 22 knots – roughly 25 mph. It has traveled the world carrying goods from port to port.

The ship, constructed of high-strength steel, has one engine and one propeller, according to MarineTraffic.com.

The Dali arrived in Baltimore on Sunday from the Port of Norfolk in Virginia. Before that, it had been in New York and came through the Panama Canal.

It remains at the scene of the collapse as authorities investigate.

Who owns and operates the Dali?

It is owned by the Singapore-based Grace Ocean Pte Ltd but managed by Synergy Marine Group, also based in Singapore. It was carrying Maersk customers’ cargo, according to a statement from the shipping company.

“We are deeply concerned by this incident and are closely monitoring the situation,” Maersk said in the statement. 

Synergy, which describes itself as a leading ship manager with more than 600 vessels under its guidance, issued a statement on its website acknowledging the incident and reporting no injuries among its crew and no pollution in the water. There were two pilots on board and 22 crew members in all, according to Synergy, all of them from India.

USA TODAY reached out to Synergy on Tuesday, but the company did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Contributing: Josh Susong