Passenger Freighter Information
From The Cruise People, Ltd. – Canada’s Original Cruise Agency
While many other products disappeared in this financial environment, Rickmers Pearl String world voyages continue to delight our clients and is rapidly becoming our best seller.
Passengers appreciate the sense of mystery. The ships are partly tramp (going where the cargo goes) and also partly general cargo, as opposed to all containers, which means longer stops in some ports ( 1 – 3 days). Our clients enjoy spending extra time ashore. They also appreciate sailing through both the Suez and Panama Canals.
Voyages are usually about 126 days in length from Houston to Houston (or Hamburg to Hamburg) with a sailing almost every month. There are two port lists – ports usually visited and ports visited if cargo is being delivered or loaded. Sometimes the itinerary will change after sailing, depending on the cargo.
Segments may be booked, subject to availability. For example, one could sail from Houston to Hamburg, Singapore or Shanghai or from Singapore to Houston.
Prices are reasonable and average Eu 80 per day plus port taxes/fees and deviation insurance. In many cases, there is no single supplement so you are not penalized for sailing alone in a single cabin.
There are early booking reductions for full, round voyages. If under deposit 12 months in advance, rates are reduced by 10%. If under deposit six months ahead, rates are reduced by 5%. That means you could save almost Eu 1,000 by booking your full voyage a year ahead!
Although age limit is 75, this company will accept older passengers with two excellent medical reports from the passenger’s physician – one with deposit and one closer to sailing.
There is a web site which allows you to follow the progress of your ship on its way to pick you up and your friends and relatives can follow your voyage progress as you sail.
Usual ports – Houston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Hamburg, Antwerp, Genoa, Suez Canal transit, Jakarta (Tanjung Priok), Singapore, Hochiminh City, Shanghai, Dalien, Xangang, Qingdao, Masan, Kobe, Yokohama, Panama Canal transit, Houston.
Possible additional ports – Jeddah, Jebel Ali (Dubai), Mumbai, Laem Chabang (Thailand), Haiphong Roads, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Nagasaki, Long Beach, Galveston, Norfolk.
Out-of country hospital/medical insurance including emergency evacuation (sometimes called air ambulance) coverage is required. Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended to protect your fare in the event of illness, accident or bereavement of passengers or members of immediate family. We are happy to quote on insurance for Canadian residents and supply a source for our American clients.
Passengers must carry a valid passport which doesn’t expire until at least 10 months after sailing. There are some countries which require tourist visas and passengers should submit copies of these at least 2 weeks prior to sailing. Note that the China visa must be a multiple-entry visa.
Please feel free to ask us for more information on these or any other voyages.