Hello From A Future Traveller

[RealCdn]

Hi there,

I've recently booked a trip on Rickmers Pearl String service out of Houston.  The departure date is mid-Dec which probably puts me on the Rickmers Shanghai (not sure yet as my confirmation says Rickmers Antwerp or sister ship).  This is a first time freighter trip for me.  I've sailed (many many years ago) on a few sailboats, but more recently it's been cruise ships.  About 14 years ago I was in the travel business and booked my mother on a freighter cruise.  An unfortunate incident caused her to cancel and she never rebooked.

In her eyes this upcoming trip is all my fault. :huh:

A great mother's day gift was a set of Michael Palin's travel videos ordered from the UK (I'm actually in Canada).  On more than one of his journeys he ends up on freighters.  We got talking about it and she mentioned she was always sorry she never rebooked.  I started looking for info for her again (although I'm now in a completely different industry).  The more I looked for her, the more I wanted to go myself.  So I decided to cash investments, eventually give notice at work (haven't done this yet), and go with her.  Timing is pretty much now or never for us to go together as she'll be 79 next year.

So four months away I'm pretty excited about it.  (Okay, the only real drawback will be looking for work when I return.)  I found this board and figured I'd hang out a little, post a little, and maybe as the time draws closer bug you all with questions.

That's about it for now.

-- Realcdn

[Steve]

Welcome Anne

Hope you and your mother have a great trip :-)

Don't worry about looking for work when you return - life's too short to worry about things like that - and things always have a way of working out for the best eventually, in my experience.

[Corky]

Hi Anne!

Are you going for the entire 124 day trip or a shorter segment?  I have been looking at this trip myself and will be very interested to here of your experiences.

Tnx, Corky

[RealCdn]

Matz - no there wasn't.  The only difference from my booking is that she needed to have two doctor's forms filled out.  One at booking and another within 30 days of sailing.  I was surprised myself but when I was looking for options the booking agent suggested them (every ad I'd seen said they wouldn't accept after 75, although later I did see one that said they'd take up to 79 with good health)

Steve - you're right.  I'm in an industry that is volatile but always seems to be hiring (automotive) and my core skills (quality) can be transferred to other industries as well.  I'm a strange one in the fact that I don't think I'll mind looking for something new.  There's nothing really wrong with where I am - I think I would have left anywhere to do this.  Timing is everything.

Corky - We're doing the entire transit.  I didn't ask about any shorter segments as we were looking for a longer trip.  I also have found a very recent blog from someone currently on the Rickmers New Orleans.  He joined the ship in Houston and the last post was from Antwerp.  Although I'd call myself a computer person (I've lost track of how many I've owned, but I've had 'real' computers for over 20 years now.  I was going to say IBM-compatible and I think that dates me) I don't  own a laptop.  So probably my experiences will end up being posted once I return.  By the time I go I may have talked myself into a cheap laptop, a USB drive and a list of internet access points, but we'll see.  I think I'm probably more interested in looking around instead of looking for internet access.

It's 4 months out and the research begins....

Oh, the link for the fellow currently on the ship is:
Freighter Trip Around the World

Thanks for the welcome.  I'm glad I found the site.

Anne
 

[Corky]

Anna,

Thanks for the link to Larry's blog.  I read the entire thing and found it very interesting.  I hope that he has not given it up, he hasn't posted since July 27.  I hope that you will keep a log and that I will be privileged to read it.

If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.

Tnx, Corky

[RealCdn]

Actually, on the last ship I was on, the CP BOREALIS, we had free access to send e-mail.

I still haven't decided about computer vs. actually writing in a book.  Part of me thinks that it might be more interesting to sit on the deck writing observations.  By the way Matz - I read your accounts of your different voyages and I envy the number of them.

 

[RealCdn]

I hope that he has not given it up, he hasn't posted since July 27.  I hope that you will keep a log and that I will be privileged to read it.

If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
 

Corky,

I have four months to convince myself that a laptop isn't a stupid purchase for someone about to be unemployed.  The only really good one is that I can buy a cheaper MP3 player for myself (or my mother) to use.  I could load everything onto the laptop and then update the books/music as we go along.  Also it would be a nice backup for any pictures taken.  Can you tell the excuses have already started?   :unsure:

I've also started playing with blogger and may try and organize items from a trip in February just to play around.

I'm pretty sure Larry will continue to post.  I looked at his sailing schedule at Rickmers' website and he's probably just seeing his first port since passing through Suez.  I figure he's more likely to update in Singapore though so probably a few more days.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Anne
 

[Corky]

Anne,

For me, my laptop is one of the most important things I take along.  I have over 50 hours of music in mp3 format on the hard drive.  I have the entire Gutenberg project, consisting of almost 10,000 books, on a DVD.  I have many movies in DVD format that we can view and later leave on the ship.  I have several writing projects that need work and will provide hours of “entertainment”.  I can transfer all my photos to the laptop as I take them and begin to organize them.  I can easily keep my daily log of the trip. I also carry a 1G USB drive that I can take info on, that I wish to send home, to the internet café and attach to an email.  I also have a portable 3 ½ floppy drive because some ships will send email for you if you can provide it on a floppy that they can scan before opening any of the files.

Compared to the cost of the trip, the cost of the laptop is minimal and the value is immense.

I took a look at doing a blog and for my upcoming trip, which is only 34 days, I don’t think its worth while.

I will keep an eye out for any new post from Larry.

Tnx, Corky

[RealCdn]

I have decided to buy the laptop although I'll likely wait until closer to the time.  I've started to organize music and audiobooks and it's scary.  A number of years ago I hooked up the cassette player to the computer and dumped everything I owned into wav/mp3 format.  So now I've gone back to separating them (I originally recorded an entire side at a time).

I'm not normally a list making person but I'm beginning to think I need to start making one!

  - arrange visas
  - research potential ports
  - new pair of shoes for deck(?)
  - order cash from bank (small bills, US, some Euros)
  - make final payment
  - pick out clothing (ie. minimize what I'm taking)
  - convert rest of digital media
  - convert DVDs to PAL format (going to take a few, ship has player)
  - buy/format laptop
  - arrange housesitter (somewhat done)
  - decide when to give notice

I'm sure there are tons of things I'm missing...

[Frachtschiff]

Hi Anne

Today I had a couple in my office for 1 1/2 hours who showed me their combined photo/diary album which they wrote on a recent trip on the Rickmers Singapore. They appreciated the convinience of having already a complete book ready by the time they arrived back in Hamburg after 128 days to present to family and friends.

They told me, that many of the crew members were very ecited to receive print outs of digital photos which they printed on their color printer in the cabin to send back home to their families in the Philippines or elsewhere. They even arranged a complete crew/passenger photo incl. the names of all crew members. Every crew member got a copy as a souvenir from them.

For them, the laptop was one of the most important things they took along.

Enjoy your trip!

Urs

[RealCdn]

Matz,

I'm bringing things I wouldn't think of bringing because it's a 'one stop' trip.  Years ago (probably 13 or 14) I did a round-the-world fare by air.  I did it with one small suitcase and a very light carry-on.  Clothing was the easiest to deal with.  I can't remember the details now, however, it was probably 4 outfits tops and a little bit of heavier clothing for layering.  We did Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, China, India, and the UK.  

I actually find that the collection box seems to be a mish mash of things I may not end up taking.  Last week I had the required shots.  I have to say, having travelled many places it's probably a good thing I didn't go to the local health clinic beforehand.  They would perhaps scare the heck out of someone who hadn't done much travelling in the past.  Hmm... I'm looking at the list I first made in this post and realized I still have lots to do.  Although the sailing date is now projected as Dec 28th.

What's done?

- arrange visas  (pending as I can't apply for some yet)
- research potential ports (done, will probably do more)
- new pair of shoes for deck(?) (done)
- order cash from bank (small bills, US, some Euros)  (not done)
- make final payment (done)
- pick out clothing (ie. minimize what I'm taking) (done)
- convert rest of digital media (done)
- convert DVDs (done)
- buy/format laptop (done, some software to load left)
- arrange housesitter (done)
- decide when to give notice (decided, not done yet)

Not too bad.  I'm actually pretty excited about going.  As they pushed the date back we tried to change to an earlier sailing.  Turns out the same cabin is booked for that sailing, so we'll have to wait.  I found a reasonable (well, compared to the port) parking place in Houston so we'll drive down and leave the car there.  Even though I'm from Canada this will be my fourth time drving in Texas.  

Urs - now you have me thinking about a small portable printer!  I like the idea, but I have a really nice photo printer at home so I likely won't do it.  I've already talked myself into other purchases since I'm going.  This one I think I'll resist.

Anne

 

[RealCdn]

Well - 5 days before departure and, hmm, I'm packed.  How's that for overkill.  Actually it came down to a discussion about whether we had to buy another suitcase (we don't) and I just decided why not, just pack.  So, except for a travel bag with the camera and a couple of changes of clothing, I'm done.

My mother is starting as well and I feel I should ask - is there a luggage allowance on freighters?  (Kidding, well, somewhat.)  It was actually a tough choice as to what to take as the temperatures will vary widely during the trip (layers, layers, layers)  However, it's done and I've likely taken way too much stuff, but I'm committed (or should be).

Now I just can't wait to get started!

Anne
 

[Steve]

Have a great time Anne - looking forward to hearing about it when you get back    

[RealCdn]

Thanks Steve.  We're actually in Houston at the moment waiting for the ship to show up.  A Dec. 31st arrival is now the 1st, although it's been suggested that we board the 2nd.  It's been fun exploring Houston, but we still can't wait!