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Taking an overseas holiday, your first instinct might be to book a seat on British Airways or any of the other airlines that aren’t SAA.

To most people, the airways are the quickest, and apparently safest, way to get to their foreign destination, and unless you are willing to trek across Africa or spend a week onboard an overpriced pleasure cruise, there really aren’t many other options.

With a little sense of adventure, however, there is a lesser-known way to go visit your family in Spain, and it’s a whole lot cheaper too.

Freighter travel has become an adventurous option for those who enjoy taking the longer route. Now you can be just like Indiana Jones, hopping on a freighter to take you to strange lands and exotic adventures. Or just to experience life at sea.

The cabins of a cargo ships are generally spacious and fitted with an en-suite bathroom with toilet, a double bed or two single beds, a sofa, a desk, and one or two portholes. To wash your clothes, most container-ships provide laundry facilities including washing machine, dryer, iron, and ironing board. Sheets and towels are provided and a steward will keep the cabin clean.

Freighter travel is not new, and there are numerous cargo ships that have embraced the idea of having a few extra hands onboard. Don’t worry, though, you won’t be made to scrub the decks, and in most cases, the offerings are up there with a good hotel.

Though merchant navy ships may seem to be rather spartan, in reality life on board during a freighter cruise is very enjoyable. With well-appointed cabins, areas for relaxation, and even sports facilities, these ships offer a comfortable standard of living.

Several companies offer travel on their cargo ships across the whole globe, but as you need to work through an agent to book a journey, it’s not advisable to just rock up with a suitcase at the harbour, looking for a lift. You’re not really Indiana Jones.

“Observing the sea and the sky and their changing colours, reading, writing, drawing, composing, painting, relaxing, meditating, thinking, finding yourself again or letting the sound of the wind, the whistle of a dolphin or the song of the waves soothe you. This relaxing means of travel will allow you to fully engage in the present.”

Freighter voyages can last up to 40 days depending on where you are headed, but the time onboard can often be a vacation in itself. With endless seas around you and the blazing stars above, it may just be the perfect place to switch off for a few weeks.

No crowds, no cars, no noise.

If the allure of the sea has awakened a wanderlust in you, check out this timelapse of a cargo ship’s journey. It’s mesmerising to see the sky change.

It may be a bit difficult to convince your boss to take 40 days off for a freight trip, but if you want to send some actual cargo on a cargo ship, Berry & Donaldson will treat your goods like a VIP.

Moving cargo from origin to destination may seem simple enough, but when faced with the myriad factors that need to be considered, one could be forgiven for wanting to take a holiday.

As one of South Africa’s largest privately owned logistics companies, they have been helping importers and exporters navigate the labyrinth that is international freighting for over half a century.

If you want things done right, they should be your first port of call.

[source:b&d&gonomad &voyageencargo]]