Introduction

[sgegegege]

Hello!

I am another Steve based in the U.K.  I am a writer and film maker.

the reason i am looking at this type of travel is from a bad experience on board an aicraft and this was an added problem with the terror of 9/11.  I plan to travel to Los Angeles with my screenplays and possibly lecture at a university over there before either doing a phD or doing another MA but this time in Film Direction.  I think the easiest trip would be to travel to the east coast of America and then get a high speed train the Los Angeles.

Steve.

Edit

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ThanK You.

[sgegegege]

I also love the romantisim fo travel on water ive only been on ferries to the continent but loved every minute of it.  

Can i say for example, go to the U.S. and then return monthes afterards rather like an open plane ticket(obviously outside Sept to March?)  

Also a light hearted question the famous Kubrick directed screenplay The Shining are there any stories of cabin fever whereby people are trapped in a small space and g a bit around the bend?!

Thank you

Steve

[Steve]

Hi Steve

Welcome to the forum

No problem to take a freighter to the US and book a return ticket several months later - it wouldn't be like an open return air ticket - it would simply be 2 separate one way voyages at the time of your choosing.

Unlike air travel, where 2 one way tickets - or an open return ticket - would certainly cost more than a standard return fare - the price of 2 separate voyages should cost no more than a round trip.

In fact, 2 one ways would probably be cheaper - because it may cut out several days of port time.

Steve

[sgegegege]

Thank you for that.

Another question if i may....what would be the nearest port in mainland America/Canada to go to from the U.K. i hear that you cna get to canada in seven days but would this 3 days cutting short of the crossing time save me train travel time to los angeles?  

My aim is to get to Los Angeles in the quickest time a balance of boat and train travel any suggestions?

Thank you once again
Steve Collins

 

[Steve]

The fastest crossing is not by container ship - the QM2 will do Southampton to New York in 6 days - but most people here are not really into cruise liners.

I think the fastest freighter trip is around 8 days to New York.

Heading for Boston would probably be your best bet - it would knock the best part of a day off the voyage time to New York - but the train journey from Boston to the West Coast is no longer than from New York - give or take a couple of hours.

Steve

[sgegegege]

Could i cut out the middle person i.e. the operator adn buy a trip directly with the freighter company?  Is this a good idea or not?  What exactly do the operators do that i could not do myself?  

Thank you

Steve

[Steve]

Some shipping lines will take bookings directly in addition to agent bookings - but many will only take bookings through their appointed agent.

Either way, the fare should be the same.

I would always use an agent myself (but shop around to compare prices and different voyage availability) - why spend ages scouring different shipping lines, if an agent will do it for you at no extra charge?

Steve

[Happy]

Hi, Steve and all-

I'm toying with the idea of a freighter trip but since it would be my first I'd like to begin with a short journey.  Any advise you can offer would be appreciated.  Some constraints:
want to depart from NY (r/t)
I'm a vegetarian - any possibilities?
English is my main language (a little facility with spanish)
Travel time of mid-August to early October.

Hope this is not to difficult to consider.  Thanks.

Happy/Chuck
 

[Steve]

Happy

I think the vegetarian issue may be a problem - but your other 'constraints' are nothing to worry about.

Best thing is to speak to a freighter agent and see what short trips are available - hit the 'Bookings' link at the top of this page and email them your requirements.

Steve

[Frachtschiff]

Vegetarian food is indeed no problem if you arrange it with the cook after boarding. I have not heard of any passengers who didn't get vegetarian food if the requested it. It may not be so varied as in a vegetarian restaurant on land but the cook always can arrange something for you.

Urs