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Getaway With A Freighter Specialty Cruise

By: Robert Thomson Click author's name for more of his/her articles

As if freighter cruises weren't unique enough in their own right, some freighter cruise companies are now offering so-called "specialty cruises." What makes them so special, you ask, that they should be singled out from their peers? Well, it could be the vessel itself - a vintage Dalmatian coastal trader, for example. It might be the route the vessel runs - servicing the lighthouses of England, Wales and the Channel Islands, or delivering supplies and mail in the Marquesas. Or it could be a combination of freight, vessel and route together- fancy a tour on an Italian car carrier, loaded with new vehicles bound for ports across the Mediterranean, perhaps? Whatever your fancy, be it large or small, short trip or long, freighter specialty cruises have something to offer. Let's take a closer look at a few.

French Polynesia from a Mail Boat

The Marquesas - a group of lush tropical islands and atolls tucked away in the South Pacific, northeast of Australia. The land of Paul Gaugin, where Herman Melville once jumped ship and encountered cannibals, inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson, and visited by Thor Heyerdahl. Where silent stone tikis still gaze out over serene lagoons and mist-covered volcanic peaks. And you can see them all while traveling on a custom-built mail ship.

You won't just spend 14 days delivering mail and cruising from one island to the next, either. Opportunities for snorkeling and swimming abound. Experience the finest in local cuisine, a heady, delicious blend of French and native Pacific. Take in a hike up one of the lush, green volcanic mountains that are the backbone of this island chain. Enjoy a picnic by a crystal clear turquoise lagoon. Chat with local woodcarvers, carrying out a traditional art form centuries old. Dive for one of the region's famous, rare black pearls. Sit in the shade of a frangipani tree and experience life as the islanders do - in a slower pace and a more peaceful, easy-going frame of mind.

Cruise the Dalmatian Coast

Croatia - the Mediterranean as it used to be. Medieval towns hover near crystal-clear harbors beneath the shadows of pine and cypress covered mountains. Heritage sites abound, as the culture here reaches back into the days of the Roman Emperors and before. Rich in history and rife with unique opportunities, enjoy 7 or 14 days of "barefoot" cruising aboord vintage coastal traders as you meander your way up and down the 1, 000 mile long coast.

You'll visit Pag, where they still make gorgeous lace by hand. Swim the warm waters off Cres, and experience one of the sunniest places in Europe. Marvel at Sibenik's St. James's Cathedral, built entirely of stone and considered a world Cultural heritage site. Rest awhile in the serene natural beauty of one of the many coves of the Kornati Islands - said to be made of "tears, stars, and the breath of God." Spend an afternoon or evening in Trogir, the "City of Museums," exploring the cultural riches of Romans, Greeks, Turks, and other bygone empires. Split, with its wealth of food, culture, shopping and entertainment opportunities, shines like a jewel in the Adriatic's crown. If Split is a jewel, then Dubrovnik is a treasure box. Ringed with medieval fortresses and walls, the entire city is alive with heritage. Stroll down marble sidewalks, under stone arches, into intricately laid piazzas. Ravaged by the Croatian war for independence in the 1990's, Dubrovnik once again stands strong and whole, proudly serving as one of the world's must-see sites. Small enough to travel by foot, a jaunt through her Old Town is a never-forgotten experience!

Light the Lights Along the English Coast

Thought lighthouses were a quaint reminder of a bygone era of maritime travel? You'll think again once aboard the Patricia. She still services the lighthouses, lightships and navigational buoys vital for ship travel along the English and Welsh coasts, and around the Channel Islands. You can spend up to 3 weeks aboard, watching the day-to-day workings as her crew go about their duties. Depending on the time of year, you'll have opportunities to enjoy a variety of flora and fauna from the vantage point of her decks as she goes about her duties up and down the coast. Supplied with cranes and winches, it is her task to service and even lift or move lightships and buoys. Her high-quality accommodations, small number of passengers and crew, and unique duties make your cruise all the more memorable. Only occasionally calling at ports, the Patricia offers the traveler a chance to leave dry land behind and just enjoy the wonders and beauties of sea travel while never being far from terra firma.

Cruise with the Cars

Going along for the ride takes on a whole new meaning when you catch a lift with the Grimaldi freight company. Their freighters primarily carry cars - brand new cars - to various destinations around the Mediterranean, England, and even to South Africa. These specialty cruises are more like traditional freighter cruises, except that the freighters are much smaller and specialized than their larger container hauling cousins. There are no freight containers to block the deck, either, as the car ferries carry all their cargo below decks. Grimaldi regularly runs from Southampton, England to various ports all along the Mediterranean and Western Europe, including Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Cypress, Portugal, Ireland and even running up the coast to Sweden. You can enjoy the round trip journey for 35 days, or catch your ride at one of the many ports for a shorter portion of the journey. Here, the trip is the thing. Since you are aboard a freighter, changes in schedules, itineraries, and even ports of call mean you should "expect the unexpected." Her crew is more concerned with her cargo and its safe delivery than with you, too. The food will be good, your cabin will be adequate, but don't expect first-class service. You'll eat with the crew, make up your own bed, and set your own schedule for entertainment and exercise. Your time in port will be determined by how quickly or slowly the ship can be serviced by the dock-hands, not by a touring schedule. Perhaps these specialty cruises are the most special of all, for they are the closest to freighter cruising you can come, without the long days at sea.

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About The Author: Freighter Cruises has incorporated Freighter Travel Club Int'l and Freighter Specialty Cruises to offer you something unique. Take a around the world cruise from coast to coast while enjoying islands and the wonders of the sea. Visit online for more information.