Around the world in 8k

Mint Aero

Excl. cost of flight to Singapore and flight back from Italy of course

http://www.freighterexpeditions.com.au/Freighter-singapore-to-Italy

Ol' Minty is on sabbatical and what better way for he to see the world than as a legit stowaway on a cargo ship.

Sounds great to me. Does anyone know how long one spends at sea before being bummed by sailors? I'd like to see the world without all the bumming.

Possibility of a pool aboard and I'll bring a few dvds. Anyone know anyone that did this and how was their experience? I'm not interested in receiving bumming. Would cabin fever set in before the urge for bumming?

Any ideas for entertaining oneself between ports for 140 days?

longshanks

You're in it for the bumming.

stimpson

You share the dining room with the officers which are either german or european.

WTF???

SEPT 23 1989

It's the way a gentleman should travel around the world

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

If I'm going on a cargo ship for 4 months I expect to get well paid for it not shell out €8000 for a ****e room, a gym for ants and a swimming pool you couldn't drown a badger in.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

...no matter how much pounding my arse would get.

AnonoBoy

Does that price include travel for your man servant?

That might be where they get you on price.

Canis Lupus

I'd be worried it'd be a bit boring because you'll be on a utilitarian ship and also potentially feel like an outsider ie there is a crew on board with jobs that don't involve entertaining some lad from Ireland. You might just end up paying a tonne of money to sit in your cabin for days on end.

cherryghost

ROFL:

Life on board a cargo ship
How do our clients spend their time on a cargo ship cruise? Read on below for their comments.

Reading, Three handed bridge, thinking.

On the bridge with binoculars. Talking to crew. Reading. At no time was I at a loose end.

Reading, reading, reading - 22 books in all. Also, writing, looking at the ocean, watching DVDs on my laptop and just enjoying my own company.

Looking at the sea, loading and unloading cargo, talking to others, enjoying the food.

Relaxing, renewing a love of reading, watching a carefully assembled library of missed TV and movies, interacting with other passengers.

At first, reading, exploring, and then after discussions with our most ameniable Captain, (and as I was ex Navy, ex Merchant Navy and a ticketed 3rd Offr., plus Quad Cert RN & Clinical Psych.,) I helped with running the Infirmary & Pharmacy, plus doing the Purser type jobs in the various countries we visited, (my computer speeds were faster), and got the chance to learn about the Engines etc. whilst my Partner learned about Navigation and stood watches on the Bridge..we were in seventh heaven as we are not keen on sitting about doing only the "lazy" activities. Mind you we were the only passengers aboard most of the time.

Reading and studying a language, researching the history of a port to be visited, listening to music, regularly visiting bridge, visit to engine room, studying the Southern Skys with the help of the Australian Sky Guide available from Powerhouse publishing, borrow a good sea birds recognitiom manual. Throught the Captain discuss how meals could be changed. EG Cook was a good Filipino cook but had difficulty cooking european and russian meals, with the same incrediends was invited to cook some filipinno and asian meals.

peacefully --- walking (around the deck), on the bridge, watching the sunsets, the waves and the occasional ship pass, writing, lots of good food to eat and wine to drink, watching ships load/unload at ports and best of all, long conversations with my wife.

I read, played cards, did jigsaw puzzles, watched the stars and satellites plus lightning from the monkey island. We also spend time on the bridge and various decks watching the running of the ship. We also visited many places that tourists don't see.

Enjoying the company of the other 3 passengers (German hence we all had language difficulties but we enjoyed each other's company so much we're still in regular contact 6 years later!). Some of the officers were also very friendly and went out of their way to make us welcome & show us their life on a very busy working ship - we are still in contact with them also. The deck crew were great too and all the crew threw a couple of great parties for us. We did a lot of walking and reading. I somehow found a little time for needlework! Overall, just observing the crew's working life, passing ships and life on the bridge meant we didn't have a moment of boredom.

On the Bridge. We two were the only passengers and our Captain had no problem allowing us on the bridge at any time. The officers on duty spent time showing us how their instruments worked. It was SO VERY interesting. My husband went to the crews quarters to watch videos sometimes but I was on the bridge most of my waking hours and loved it.

sleeping, eating, on the bridge, sunbaking, reading.

Some mixing with the three other passengers. We got on well and spent some time watching some old tv comedies on a computer. Seeing the view from time on the bridge with Captains permission (not getting in the way). Walking around the ship decks and looking at the sea and sealife. Doing sketches and taking photographs. In my own cabin, watched the occasional DVD. Read and did a bit of painting. The Captain arranged for us to have a look around the engine room (for those interested). The trip covered the Christmas and new year period and bbq at the back of the ship for all was very enjoyable.

Watching - the crew loading & unloading, the passing shoreline or traffic, Reading & playing cards

Reading, and I painted 7 pictures (oil paintings), exercising, time on the bridge was most interesting and took up a good deal of time each day, especially when entering and leaving ports.

Mainly on the bridge - Officers were always willing to teach me all about the instruments, what they were doing during their watch, why - very interesting when the pilots came on board and moving into the berth - even interesting watching the cargo loading and unloading all day in company with the crewman on security watch at the gangway... Took lots of photos all over the ship and wrote a small journal of the trip.

Read, sleep, eat, drink! Watch videos. Eat and drinking with officers. games in the Officers' Mess. Spend time on deck watching the ever-changing ocean. Spend time on the bridge- discussions with officers - fascinating. Swimming pool, table-tennis, small gym. Relax. Time for contemplation. Occasional passing vessels. A wonderful way to travel. Must have ample time, good health, spirit of adventure.

Talking to the crew and the other three passengers. I had a library of books that I brought from London and could take home in my final Port, Sydney. For the coming trip I have a Kindle with more titles than I need and Hope that it does not break down. I also had a Macbook with a lot of music loaded and a set of Bose speakers for better quality listening. I also had a supply of DVD's which I could play on the laptop or on the DVD player in the lounge if the others wanted to watch.

watching dvds and getting to learn about all the different sections of the ship

I never tire of watching the ocean go past in it`s different moods. A couple of times I have had the opportunity of spending time at the extreme bow above the Forecastle. Magical.

If you enjoy reading its the trip of a lifetime so.

Canis Lupus

cherryghost wrote: »

ROFL:


If you enjoy reading its the trip of a lifetime so.

Nothing like paying 8k to get a bit of reading in.

FTA69

Looks sh*te and a huge waste of money. The lads getting paid to be on the ship must be wetting themselves. Honest to god you could do an overland trip across China, Vietnam etc for the fraction of the price engaging with different people, doing your reading etc, seeing different parts of the world and generally whatever you want.

Instead you're shelling out a bomb to be stuck in a gritty place of work with a load of hard bitten Russians or whatever for the sake of a bit of solitude. If you were at a loose end and looking for a job and a few pound fair enough but paying for it. F*ck that. Awful travel idea to be honest.

stimpson

cherryghost wrote: »

ROFL:


If you enjoy reading its the trip of a lifetime so.

That's just code for bumming.

Mint Aero

Such NEGATIVITY!

And I hate HATE READING! I'm there to watch dvds, play videogames, get drunk pretend im a pirate get drunk play poker and get drunk then get drunk. The ship does port frequently lads and each city will be conquered Mint style!

FTA69

Mint Aero wrote: »

Such NEGATIVITY!

And I hate HATE READING! I'm there to watch dvds, play videogames, get drunk pretend im a pirate get drunk play poker and get drunk then get drunk. The ship does port frequently lads and each city will be conquered Mint style!

Why not just go to the cities and save yourself a large sum of money?

hairyslug

For 120 I'll make seagull noises at ya but I can't promise there will be no bumming

Mint Aero

FTA69 wrote: »

Why not just go to the cities and save yourself a large sum of money?

it's 140 days at sea for 8k, sounds like a bargain to me

cherryghost

Mint Aero wrote: »

it's 140 days at sea for 8k, sounds like a bargain to me

All meals and port fees included too!

Mint Aero

cherryghost wrote: »

All meals and port fees included too!

Works out at about 57 euro a day for food, board and travel! All around the world!

tomwaterford

Mint Aero wrote: »

Works out at about 57 euro a day for food, board and travel! All around the world!

What if they've no internet though??

beach_walker

As sh!te and all as it sounds, the main thing that sticks out to me is that you wouldn't have your own jacks.

beach_walker

tomwaterford wrote: »

What if they've no internet though??

Is there Internet / Wi-Fi on board?

A: No. As they are not normal cruise ships, Internet is not generally available. On many ships you will be able to get a unique email address to use on the Captain's computer (or there may be one in the lounge area) for the duration of your voyage. You will pay for data usage.

http://www.freighterexpeditions.com.au/Freighter-cruise-FAQs


Fuk me.

The Backwards Man

There's cruise ships offering round the world trips for not much more than that.

tomwaterford

beach_walker wrote: »

http://www.freighterexpeditions.com.au/Freighter-cruise-FAQs


Fuk me.

Sounds grim as fcuk


Even before the OPs fears of bumming

The Sidewards Man

tomwaterford wrote: »

What if they've no internet though??

Far from internet you were reared now Tom.

PirateShampoo

Mint Aero wrote: »

Such NEGATIVITY!

And I hate HATE READING! I'm there to watch dvds, play videogames, get drunk pretend im a pirate get drunk play poker and get drunk then get drunk. The ship does port frequently lads and each city will be conquered Mint style!

Think it will be more like your mint getting conquered by a few salty saloirs.

skinny90

"The crew will either be German or European"...who wrote this

beach_walker

Check out the pool (2nd and 3rd pics from the bottom) - http://www.freighterexpeditions.com.au/photos

I give it three weeks before you're hanged for attempting a mutiny OP.

Mint Aero

tomwaterford wrote: »

What if they've no internet though??

Then AH will have to make do without Mint Aero for a while. I know it will be tough at first but if you want we can create a countdown to Mints return thread and everyone can count down the days till I come back, regale stories of my posts and most importantly support each other and those who will find it a particularly testing time.

The first 30 days no doubt will be extremely difficult and it's quiet possible boards.ie will have to shut down as loss of revenue due to my absence could make running the site unsustainable.

However rest assured when I port I will endeavour to check in and answer as much fan mail as I possibly can. I may enlist the help of the sailors and some of the responses will no doubt have to be generic due to volume. But none the less they will be sincere and from the heart.

By the 60 day mark. Despair will turn to rejoice for many as the half way point to my return nears. The main thorough fairs throughout the country can have traffic rerouted if the masses wish to celebrate. Not just celebrate my coming as it will still be relatively far off but celebrate the life of mint. It will be a time of reflection for many but remember some may find my absence too much to bear and I emplore those who are coping better to help their fellow mint fan.

On the 100th day of my conquest of the world via a cargo ship I would hope to have left my mark on all 4 corners of the globe and the mint community will have grown and diversified into a multi cultural melting pot utopia of vibrance and progressiveness.

Could it be a new renaissance? Indeed quite possibly and all achieved without the Internet. What glorious glory this shall be.

On the 140th day I shall triumphantly and gallantly raise my head high as I peer at the distant shore breaking the horizon! Hurrah hurrah the far reaching chant can be heard. Hurrah hurrah! With one fell swoop my foot comes crashing down on dry land. Crash! The sand disperses neath my foot before it kisses the breath of the earth. Hurrah hurrah!

I'll then board a Ryanair flight home. Buy some duty free and a large Toblerone and make contact with AH again when I get home after a cup of tea and a square of chocolate.

tomwaterford

Mint Aero wrote: »

I'll then board a Ryanair flight home. Buy some duty free and a large Toblerone and make contact with AH again when I get home after a cup of tea and a square of chocolate.

Should this not be a triangle of chocolate??? :P

Blue Whale

Theres a book about this, about a guy who stays in a cabin on a cargo ship.

I got bored and never finished reading it, can't imagine how bored you would be on that boat, would get old after a few days, its not a cruise ship!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Sea-Foreign-Going-Everything/dp/1846272998/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1465337594&sr=8-2&keywords=shipping

My name is URL

I reckon you'd have a better adventure by joining the Foreign Legion, plus you'd get paid and not have to spend 140 nights at sea

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

Shur I can read at home for free.

SEPT 23 1989

Mint Aero wrote: »

Then AH will have to make do without Mint Aero for a while. I know it will be tough at first but if you want we can create a countdown to Mints return thread and everyone can count down the days till I come back, regale stories of my posts and most importantly support each other and those who will find it a particularly testing time.

The first 30 days no doubt will be extremely difficult and it's quiet possible boards.ie will have to shut down as loss of revenue due to my absence could make running the site unsustainable.

However rest assured when I port I will endeavour to check in and answer as much fan mail as I possibly can. I may enlist the help of the sailors and some of the responses will no doubt have to be generic due to volume. But none the less they will be sincere and from the heart.

By the 60 day mark. Despair will turn to rejoice for many as the half way point to my return nears. The main thorough fairs throughout the country can have traffic rerouted if the masses wish to celebrate. Not just celebrate my coming as it will still be relatively far off but celebrate the life of mint. It will be a time of reflection for many but remember some may find my absence too much to bear and I emplore those who are coping better to help their fellow mint fan.

On the 100th day of my conquest of the world via a cargo ship I would hope to have left my mark on all 4 corners of the globe and the mint community will have grown and diversified into a multi cultural melting pot utopia of vibrance and progressiveness.

Could it be a new renaissance? Indeed quite possibly and all achieved without the Internet. What glorious glory this shall be.

On the 140th day I shall triumphantly and gallantly raise my head high as I peer at the distant shore breaking the horizon! Hurrah hurrah the far reaching chant can be heard. Hurrah hurrah! With one fell swoop my foot comes crashing down on dry land. Crash! The sand disperses neath my foot before it kisses the breath of the earth. Hurrah hurrah!

I'll then board a Ryanair flight home. Buy some duty free and a large Toblerone and make contact with AH again when I get home after a cup of tea and a square of chocolate.

You will need some expensive vellum stationery and the finest ink money can buy for writing your memoirs of the voyage