Travelling by boat - from India to Europe

moos · Mar 8th, 2006, 17:46

Hello,
I know it is crazy but I am thinking to go back to France by boat...
Even if it is a one month trip I would like to experience that and it will allow me to bring home all the stuff I will gather during my 2 years in India.

Have you ever heard about doing such a trip from India to Europe or the USA?
Any idea which boat compagny can give a room in a boat????

Thanks!!!

Merchant · Mar 8th, 2006, 21:54

Presumably, you are looking for a ship, not a boat.

Nick-H · Mar 8th, 2006, 23:12

A ship is a vessel with three or more masts, all of which carry square sails.

Oh, hang on, I suppose that definition ceased to useful a hundred years ago. It is true, however!

Now, to try to be useful.

It probably can be done, as I believe that container ships may have a cabin going spare. I would expect pretty spartan conditions, basic food etc etc.

Try a freight company, ask them to put you in touch with some shipping companies....

Oh. Sorry Moos: I just noticed that you are a woman (I can be pretty slow on the uptake

.... Weeks at sea in an all-male environment. Not such a good idea.

Might suit some, I suppose..... Calling Charlene?

Merchant · Mar 8th, 2006, 23:28

A ship leaving Mumbai may travel all over the Gulf and Africa before heading to Europe--or might not ever go to Europe. Shipping is rarely a direct major port to major port endeavor, and there are long lists of laws about which ships can pull into which ports based on where they have recently traveled (labor, environmental, safety, and security regulations, and the flags they are flying). International shipping is extraordinarily complicated. Transporting passengers really isn't part of their writ--unless you know someone who is an exec at the company.

Anders · Mar 8th, 2006, 23:33

I have heard that a lot of shipping lines allows paying guests but the prices are supposed to be *very* high.

lez · Mar 9th, 2006, 00:23

Ellerman & City

I have sailed on their ships about 10 times too & from India. it takes about 4/8 weeks depending on stops and ship speed, but that was in the 70s/80s

lez

moos · Mar 9th, 2006, 11:39

yes you are right I was talking about ship....

i know that as a woman it is not the best idea and that it won't be a confortable. i am not looking for a first class trip but just a different way to travel with a lots of luggage and in order to make the transition with my "short life" in india...

any other idea of freight company that takes also passenger???

thanks anyway for your help!

TimMakins · Mar 9th, 2006, 12:03

If luggage is an issue, and you've got the kind of money available for a sea voyage, perhaps I can suggest an alternative: why not book a place on one of the Overland Trucks that make the journey by land via Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, etc. You'll have a brilliant time, and get to see some amazing places. I personally recommend:
http://www.dragoman.com/

or

http://www.exodus.co.uk/

Tim in Ireland

aholic_2907 · Mar 9th, 2006, 12:55

cargo ships have a choice of 2 routes to get to europe from mumbai.one is around the cape of good hope which takes a month, and the other is one is thru the red sea and the suez canal to reach europe which takes about 2 weeks or 3 weeks max.shipping companies generally charge more for goods that need to be transported via the suez canal as the timetaken is lesser.
u can always contact shipping companies and request them to put u on a ship to europe, but its not going to be easy i guess.
pls let us know about ur experiences.would appreciate it.have fun!

steven_ber · Mar 9th, 2006, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMakins

If luggage is an issue, and you've got the kind of money available for a sea voyage, perhaps I can suggest an alternative: why not book a place on one of the Overland Trucks that make the journey by land via Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, etc. You'll have a brilliant time, and get to see some amazing places. I personally recommend:
http://www.dragoman.com/

or

http://www.exodus.co.uk/

Tim in Ireland

Interesting sites Tim.

seventies'hippy · Mar 9th, 2006, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMakins

If luggage is an issue, and you've got the kind of money available for a sea voyage, perhaps I can suggest an alternative: why not book a place on one of the Overland Trucks that make the journey by land via Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, etc. You'll have a brilliant time, and get to see some amazing places. I personally recommend:
http://www.dragoman.com/

or

http://www.exodus.co.uk/

Tim in Ireland

I'll second that too.
If you've no time restraints the overland trip is the way to go,,,,,,,,,,

edwardseco · Oct 19th, 2007, 03:49

I looked at the expense once of sea travel and was shocked. could do like the Chinese and get a container shipped..

Mar 8th, 2006, 17:46	#1
moos Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 12	Travelling by boat - from India to Europe Hello, I know it is crazy but I am thinking to go back to France by boat... Even if it is a one month trip I would like to experience that and it will allow me to bring home all the stuff I will gather during my 2 years in India. Have you ever heard about doing such a trip from India to Europe or the USA? Any idea which boat compagny can give a room in a boat???? Thanks!!!

Mar 8th, 2006, 23:12	#3
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,220	A ship is a vessel with three or more masts, all of which carry square sails. Oh, hang on, I suppose that definition ceased to useful a hundred years ago. It is true, however! Now, to try to be useful. It probably can be done, as I believe that container ships may have a cabin going spare. I would expect pretty spartan conditions, basic food etc etc. Try a freight company, ask them to put you in touch with some shipping companies.... Oh. Sorry Moos: I just noticed that you are a woman (I can be pretty slow on the uptake .... Weeks at sea in an all-male environment. Not such a good idea. Might suit some, I suppose..... Calling Charlene? __________________ . IndiaMike Mod Team (The Grumpy One)

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Mar 8th, 2006, 21:54	#2
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,071	Presumably, you are looking for a ship, not a boat.

Mar 8th, 2006, 23:28	#4
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,071	A ship leaving Mumbai may travel all over the Gulf and Africa before heading to Europe--or might not ever go to Europe. Shipping is rarely a direct major port to major port endeavor, and there are long lists of laws about which ships can pull into which ports based on where they have recently traveled (labor, environmental, safety, and security regulations, and the flags they are flying). International shipping is extraordinarily complicated. Transporting passengers really isn't part of their writ--unless you know someone who is an exec at the company.

Mar 8th, 2006, 23:33	#5
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	I have heard that a lot of shipping lines allows paying guests but the prices are supposed to be very high.

Mar 9th, 2006, 00:23	#6
lez Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: liverpool Posts: 269	Ellerman & City I have sailed on their ships about 10 times too & from India. it takes about 4/8 weeks depending on stops and ship speed, but that was in the 70s/80s lez

Mar 9th, 2006, 11:39	#7
moos Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 12	yes you are right I was talking about ship.... i know that as a woman it is not the best idea and that it won't be a confortable. i am not looking for a first class trip but just a different way to travel with a lots of luggage and in order to make the transition with my "short life" in india... any other idea of freight company that takes also passenger??? thanks anyway for your help!

Mar 9th, 2006, 12:55	#9
aholic_2907 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai,India Posts: 223	cargo ships have a choice of 2 routes to get to europe from mumbai.one is around the cape of good hope which takes a month, and the other is one is thru the red sea and the suez canal to reach europe which takes about 2 weeks or 3 weeks max.shipping companies generally charge more for goods that need to be transported via the suez canal as the timetaken is lesser. u can always contact shipping companies and request them to put u on a ship to europe, but its not going to be easy i guess. pls let us know about ur experiences.would appreciate it.have fun!

Oct 19th, 2007, 03:49	#12
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,414	I looked at the expense once of sea travel and was shocked. could do like the Chinese and get a container shipped..

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