Although the advent of low-cost airlines has made air travel for both short and long distances a more accessible option, travel by sea is still popular among many for a variety of reasons, the most popular being the romance of the experience and the opportunity to see scenery that would otherwise be missed by air travel.
Budget can be an influential factor when choosing a mode of transport, with the cost of ferry crossings to some destinations still beating those of flights. Accessibility is also an issue, with some holiday destinations, especially small islands, not served by any airports.
Yachts and crewing: One way to see parts of the world that might otherwise be inaccessible to you is to seek a job as part of a yacht crew. This unique experience can be highly rewarding but usually involves lots of hard physical labor meaning you need to be fit to give it a go.
Previous experience is not always necessary but skills in areas such as computers and radio equipment, cooking, foreign languages and mechanics can beneficial to securing a position. On some vessels, there are minimum requirements even for basic positions such as deckhand or steward/stewardess. Prerequisite qualifications include the STCW‘95 BST and the ENG1 medical certificates.
Cruise ships: If all that sounds far too much like hard work and money is of no concern, you might prefer to see some of the world’s most popular sights from the altogether more relaxing perspective of a cruise ship passenger.
Cruises generally follow strict travel itineraries but invariably dock at a number of places of interest en route, allowing passengers to disembark and have time to explore the local area and take in the most famous sights. Cruises generally come at a premium but for seeing areas of the world such as the Caribbean, Mexico, the Panama Canal and Alaska, they are undoubtedly one of the best options.
Freighters: As an alternative to the traditional cruise, some holiday makers take freighter cruises, the most obvious advantage being the reduced cost. Traveling on a rudimentary vessel that’s main purpose is the delivery of cargo may not seem like an attractive prospect to everyone. However, the lack of crowds, relaxed atmosphere and absence of the formality associated with regular cruise etiquette are major appeals of this form of travel.
Cruises of this nature can be made on container ships or bulk freighters and allow passengers to experience the peace and tranquility of ocean travel while also offering the opportunity to forge relationships with crew and other passengers.
Freighter travel itineraries can be as short as two weeks or as long as five months, during which time passengers are given the opportunity to disembark at ports where droppings or collections are made. In the time that the vessel is at sea, passengers can make use of facilities such as TV rooms, exercise equipment and even swimming pools.