I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a Container Ship
- Day 1: Rotterdam
- Day 3: Le Havre
- Day 13: Phillipsburg
- Day 15: Port Of Spain
- Day 18: Degrad Des Cannes
Passenger on a container ship: a story of life on board the cargo ship, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
I have tried to tell the story with quite many details, as I understood some people were really interested in this kind of travel.
A few words before starting:
Knowing day after day that the world exists around you and that at the same time you are apart from it, that it’s neither good nor bad and it will last a little, is an opportunity to feel the rhythm of time differently.
The outside world imposes so much less constraint, time belongs to us so much more.
2020
Organization prior to departure
June 2019, Athens, Greece, when I definitely made my mind about this Journey.
Even though It’s hard to remember how I switched from an usual flight ticket to that way of travelling.
I started to do more searches about that project in Portugal, a few weeks earlier.
25% of the total ticket amount is due upon booking.
A medical certificate was needed ; a Greek doctor, who knew nothing about myself, had to certify I was able to travel.
Finally, departure was scheduled at the end of November with CMA CGM shipping company on the Europe Brazil line. (You will find a link to the company’s website further.)
It was obvious it would take a while to cross the Atlantic Ocean, then I started to plan a Journey into the Journey.
In addition, regarding to these prior formalities, about 45 days before departure you are supposed to contact them and provide additional documents:
- Discharge of responsibility
- Another more recent medical certificate (Neuropsychiatric condition, Sensory capabilities… )
- Visas if needed : it was not my case, as I am an European citizen, leaving Rotterdam in Netherlands for French Guiana in France
- Also clear the payment (75%), there are more details about the cost of that journey further.
Get on board: first impression
Before reaching the dock, I had to got first to the immigration office in Rotterdam to do some paperwork.
[For the record, there is a Maritime Taxi service that allows you to cross the river to reach the boarding zone on the other side; this avoids falling back into road traffic and it is very practical in addition to being very pleasant.]
First impression in the car alongside the ship on the quay…
I feel that the adventure on board is going to be huge but I’m also thinking of South America, and I want to believe that it will be at least just as huge
I was surprised no one really assisted me to get on board, there was a long ladder to get there. Although, I knew that was part of the plan because this is how it’s described:
“The passenger shall be able to climb the access gangway on his/her own”
I just went on board like everybody else and that was the best introduction possible!
Minimum requirement: passport verification.
Yeah… that’s it, this has been planned for a long time, really, and today I am getting on that ship.
A few rules
Not to forget: The primary function of the boat is the transport of goods
It’s a work place, and you are not like on a cruise boat the center of all attention; work is.
Because all passengers hadn’t arrived, they waited until the day after to give all information, though they told us quickly about a few main rules.
Main ones: you don’t go outside on the upper deck if you have not called first the office and check you can. You go outside you call, you come back you call too. And there (outside) you have to wear your helmet and you high visibility jacket (yellow jacket) all time.
My cabin
I was shown my cabin. I guess how curious people are about those details sometimes: imagine a standard hotel, comfy room, big bed, private bathroom.
- Air conditioning
- Full cleaning once a week + daily service
- Fridge
- Sheets + towels provided
- 220V current
And a desk of course… So much expected…
Other passengers
I looked forward to meet the other passengers… My first mate, a Dutch retired doctor, is a delightful woman! Like I said, the third passenger, arrived the day after: an other Dutch doctor, actually both are friends.
That’s how it goes when you travel by yourself, you can’t expect anything and just hope you find good persons along the way. I was lucky enough that time, my comrades were lovely.
The Crew
Remember it’s a work place, no one is really there for you.
That’s the deal, you are welcomed on board if you respect that principle.
What you understand is that depending on the moments, the crew share some time or talk a bit with you. And depending on their roles on the ship, you will meet some of them more frequently.
But I have to say, and I am not trying to sell anything, that all guys were nice.
On board there were Filipinos, French and Romanian people, at 95% from these 3 nationalities (I am not sure if I forget anyone), a little bit less than 30 workers in total.
