The freighter cruise experience
Anyone who has been on board a container ship when it enters port will not readily forget such an amazing experience. The world of modern shipping is still a fascinating one! You can sit and calmly watch all the activity as containers are loaded and unloaded and enjoy the experience as the pilot manoeuvres the giant container ship out of port. Once the ship is on its preset course, calm returns: from now on the magical interplay of waves and clouds determines the rhythm of life on board. Immerse yourself in the "world of freighter cruises". Entering port in different cities gives us the feeling of having seen a whole lot more of the world. This trip, with impressions nobody can take from us, is a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Freighter cruises – a special way of travelling
You have planned a very special trip for the most beautiful time of the year. But your voyage on a freighter calls for thorough preparation.
Hamburg Süd Reiseagentur G.m.b.H. Lufthansa City Center, a subsidiary of the long-established shipping line Hamburg Süd, which is a member of the Oetker Group, is one of North Germany’s largest travel agencies and a leading provider of freighter cruises. For more than 50 years we have been offering business trips, holiday travel, cruises and freighter voyages to some of the finest destinations in the world.
You can choose the destination or route you want from more than 50 shipping lines with more than 100 ships en route around the globe. In addition to this, we offer a tailor-made programme with prestigious airlines, hotels, rental cars or local tour guides. Our dedicated and highly motivated team will be pleased to advise you in person. As a certified travel agency focusing on quality, we aim to make your travel wishes come true.
A voyage on a freighter cannot be compared to a conventional cruise. On board a freighter you will not find any restaurants, bars or discotheques, but what you do get is an inside view of the “real” world of mariners and plenty of time to relax. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to know what propels a ship forward. Then you can just go and take a look at the engine room.
Accommodation is in single or double cabins, which are functionally furnished and equipped with a shower and WC. Most are outside cabins, but it should be noted that the view from the cabin windows may be restricted – an unimpeded view can only be guaranteed in a few cabins!
As a taster for those new to travelling on freighters we offer short trips to the Baltic and North Sea. For globetrotters with a little more time, for example, there is an 84-day round trip from/to Rotterdam to the South Seas. You can also treat yourself to a few days of relaxation without having to fly to your destination by booking just a part of the route.
The following pages will show you a selection of voyages on German and international freighters. The prices stated there apply for one round trip per person, including full board and lodging, harbour dues and obligatory deviation insurance. Part voyages can be booked on almost all routes – just ask us if you want to know the time required and prices. In some cases a surcharge is made for single bookings of double cabins.
Freighter cruises – a unique journey
Every journey starts with the planning stages, which we will be happy to do for you! You simply tell us about your travel plans and we will find a travel route tailored to your wishes. Explore the world from a new vantage point and experience a quite special type of journey on a freighter - there is no entertainment programme, but you can watch the captain and officers at work on the bridge. You will search in vain for a restaurant, instead your meals will be served in the officers' mess with the crew. Have you always wondered what propels a ship forwards? Then take a trip to the machine room! A freighter cruise gives you the chance to experience authentic seafaring.
You can’t compare a freighter cruise with a classical cruise. There are no restaurants, bars or discotheques on board a freighter, but an insight into "real" sea travel with lots of time of rest and relaxation awaits you. As tasters, we offer Baltic Sea and North Sea short trips. For global nomads with just a little more time on their hands, we offer a 125 day round-the-world journey. Treat yourself a few days of peace and avoid travelling by air to reach your destination by booking one of our part/routes or one-way journeys.
Our global range includes routes from around fifty shipping lines with around 350 ships - from small freighters up to some gigantic vessels Whichever type of ship or route you choose, you will certainly be a most welcome passenger on one of these sea cargo carriers.
Accommodation on the freighters reserved through us is usually in single and/or double cabins, whose fittings are utilitarian rather than luxurious. Cabins are equipped with a shower and WC and are usually outside cabins, though passengers must note that views from the cabin windows are often restricted – we cannot guarantee you an unimpeded view!
On the following pages you will find a selection of journeys on German and international freighters. Prices stated apply to a round trip per person including full board, harbour fees and the obligatory deviation insurance. Part journeys are possible on almost all our routes – we would be glad to give you a quote for time and duration on request. Supplements between 20 % and 25 % usually apply to single occupation of double cabins.