Nautical Notes About Cargo Carriers

Destinations: Lykes Bros. Steamship Co., owner of the Genevieve Lykes, operates a fleet of freighters that travel regularly from East Coast ports to the Mediterranean, South and East Africa and the West Coast of South America. Depending on the class of vessel, the ships carry from four to 12 passengers. Age limit is 79 and there is no doctor on board.

The duration of round-trip voyages ranges from 32 to 90 days, depending on the destination and number of ports of call. One-way voyages can be arranged.

Passengers must be on a flexible timetable since additional ports can be added en route as cargoes become available. Similarly, itineraries differ from voyage to voyage.

Lykes offers space about six to eight weeks prior to expected departure, based on a wait-list application.

Costs: Fares are based on the projected duration of the voyage and, in the case of travel to South and East Africa, range from $4,300 to $5,000 per person. No single cabins are available on the Africa run, unless a surcharge of 75% is paid for sole occupancy of a two-person cabin.

As a rule of thumb, figure on fares costing about $100 per person per day.

Contacts: For information on freighter travel in general, brochures on the more than one dozen freighter lines that carry passengers, or a subscription to the Freighter Space Advisory, which lists upcoming voyages and fares on all lines, contact Freighter World Cruises at 180 S. Lake Ave., Suite 335, Pasadena 91101, (818) 449-3106.

For information on Lykes voyages, contact Lykes Bros. Steamship Co. at 300 Poydras St., New Orleans, La. 70130, (800) 535-1861.

For additional reading on freighter travel, Ford’s Freighter Travel Guide can be obtained by writing to 19448 Londelius St., Northridge 91324. The 120-page booklet is published in May and November each year and costs $8.95.