Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Anyone done a journey on a cargo ship or as crew on a yacht?

  • 22-12-2011 2:23pm
    #1
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,378 ✭✭✭✭


    The old itchy feet are at it again and I've got this thought it my head now... Read one or two blogs of cargo ships but that's it.

    Anyone got any info on costs and how you even go about this? This isn't Ireland related.. Just general info.


Comments

  • #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,378 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    No replies in 3 weeks... This is going straight to the top of my list of things to do. :D


  • #3
    dory
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,575 Mod ✭✭✭✭dory


    I've looked into this quite a bit. I joined findacrew.net. All I found were men in their 50's who only wanted female crew. It seemed all the genuine ones wanted a fair bit of €€ for taking you along. I don't mind paying my way but it seemed I was paying a few people's way. I found it very hard to find a genuine opportunity. Lonely Planet has a good forum 'Life on the Ocean Wave' or something like that. Some good info there. Let us know how you get on!


  • #4
    RATM
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭RATM


    Yeah I did this in the Carribeen. We hopped on a yacht in Venezualea which was skippered by an Irish couple who sail the world most of the year. They charged £600 a head for a month on board & 3 meals a day. We visited 8 of the Leeward Islands in the Carribean, places like Antigua, St.Lucia, Dominica, Montserrat. Fab trip.

    OP yachts go from the Carribean December to May each year Then they come back to the Med May onwards. The Canaries are a big hopping off point where crew can find owners who need a hand. On the return journey Antigua is a popular setting off point. You have to be on the ground, the online route may work but those ads get 100's of replies. Much better to be down at a marina and talking to owners who are setting off in a few days time and know they could do with a spare hand to cross the Atlantic.

    There are also paid sites like crewfinders.com and others. You register and put details up. Some sites guarantee at least one placement a year. However you have to be willing to fly out at late notice and cover all your costs of flying back from the destination country.

    As for cargo ships, yes this is possible too. Again you have to be down talking to ships captains who will expect payment for carriage. It is not as common as it used to be so some captains will refuse, especially if there is insurance issues. Despite the size of them you can expect cramped and often dirty sleeping quarters. You might also have to do some work / cooking to help out. Be mindful that you might get landed with a crew who don't speak a word of english. For a single female traveller it is not the wisest of ideas Nonetheless some people do still travel this way but tbh a yacht is a far better way to do it.


Advertisement