How to Travel by Ship

Sail across the oceans to get to your dream destination. Travel all over the world aboard Atlantic and Mediterranean luxury cruises or hop on a cargo ship for a less commercialized voyage. When traveling on ship, you often get to make stops at various ports allowing you to see and experience more places other than just your final destination. Travel on most cargo ships operates all year long while luxury cruise ships tend to have seasonal schedules.

Instructions

1

Pick your destination and dates to travel. Cruises and cargo ships offer various destinations all over the world on a schedule. Choose a cruise line or cargo ship that offers a one-way or round-trip fare to the destination of your choice. Be flexible, especially when traveling by cargo ships. Destinations and sailing dates for cargo ships often change because the freight is priority over the passengers.

2

Book in advance. Cabins are often limited and fares to popular routes can sell out months ahead. Advance booking also allows you to plan accordingly, especially if the departure port is located at a considerable distance from your home.

3

Inquire about the required documentation by the government of the port of embarkation and all ports of call for your chosen ship. You can get denied when boarding or disembarking if you do not have the proper documentation. Generally, required travel documents include a valid passport, travel insurance and a medical certificate. Make sure that your passport expiration date does not occur within six months of your scheduled return date.

4

Make a budget for your trip including ship fare, baggage fees, expenses on board and other expected costs. Also, consider carrying a small sum of cash in the currencies of countries you will be visiting, which can come in handy for unexpected costs or emergencies. When traveling by cargo ships, itineraries often change so make you sure you are well-equipped to handle changes in schedule, costs and even ports.