Europe to Australia by ship these days

[Trevor Bodiam]

Just had visitors from Australia and when leaving asked the inevitable question being "when are you going to visit us in Australia".
I told my wife that i didn't fancy making that flight again as getting too much to recover from 20 something hours in a plane.
I told her "you fly and i'll leave before you and go by ship".
Now i don't want to pay for a long cruise so i did a quick Google search for cargo ships and so far all i can find are container carriers, which doesn't really bother me, but the cost is very high for even a 1 way fare and takes between 42 and 47 days.
At this point it looks like the cheapest i can find is about $ 4000.00 . one way.
Any members travelled this way and can recommend any options.

[Richard Quartermaine]

Not that I can help these days but in the 1960's when I were based in Singapore we as a family did the 12 passenger Cargo ships (apparently any more and there had to be a doctor aboard) to Australia and back. The two ships were the Straat Chatham and Straat Cumberland. Outward, Singapore - Fiji across the Indonesian Achiapelago. Homeward, Sydney - around the coast to Fremantle and through the Indonesian Sunda strait past the menacing Krakatoa volcano and up to Singapore.

It was almost like being part of the ship's company. In fact we became close friends with the Straat Chatham's master and his wife Hetty who also lived in Singapore.

Good luck in your endeavours.
Richard

[Captain Kong]

It is better to fly with stop overs such as Singapore for a few days on the way, breaks up the flying time
That is what I do,
Also for a bit more comfort , do NOT fly in cattle class, try economy plus, next grade, just two seats instead of three, wider seats and more leg room,and a Better menu for meals and better service as there are only around 20 seats in Economy Plus. instead of hundreds in Economy Class. I will NEVER Fly economy again and twic we have had a free upgrade to Business Class when we got to the plane door.
so just break the journey, and stay over for a few days at different ports.
I do it Every year.
Enjoy it.

Brian

[Trevor Bodiam]

It is better to fly with stop overs such as Singapore for a few days on the way, breaks up the flying time

so just break the journey, and stay over for a few days at different ports.
I do it Every year.
Enjoy it.

Brian

Brian, thanks for your advice regarding flying. My wife has been looking on the net and can find Economy premium and not Economy plus. Is this the same and can you tell us what airline you use.
Many thanks in advance and maybe this will be the way to go although i did so much want to feel the movement of a ship under my feet again whilst crossing the ocean.

[John Arton]

Trevor
Economy premium and economy plus are the same, just depends on the airline.
Have you also checked out this outfit if you still would go the proper way.
Rgds
J.A.
https://www.freighterexpeditions.com...ou-should-know

[Tony Taylor]

It is better to fly with stop overs such as Singapore for a few days on the way, breaks up the flying time

so just break the journey, and stay over for a few days at different ports.
I do it Every year.
Enjoy it.

Brian

Trevor, I am sure that Emirates fly daily from Budapest, I have used them a lot in this job and they are pretty good, stay over in Dubai, then travel on.

[Captain Kong]

I always fly BRITISH Airways, I have a American Express card and everything I spend, ..... petrol, groceries, etc etc on the card I get Airmiles, I save them up and get free flights and upgrades.
Flew to Florida in January this year, for two of us in Business Class, or Club, £750, cheep usually £6,000 for two.
Because I spent £20,000 in 12 months I have two free flights world wide.

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Trevor
Yes it is rather a long Flight ,as others i have done i from here to the UK and other places,all i can say is that i found Emirates,Singapore the best so far i dont know how thry Fly from wherever you are though?

I do know that there are sure to be some Tramp Steamers from wherever ,as they are at most times always available ,they are also quite cheap,the only draback is that one cannot always be sure as to their actual Ports of call,like you may book a passage say from UK to Australia and land up going via the end of the World LOL
But most Trampers these days are a lot better and you can almost be sure to get where you want to go fairly cheaply.

Just need to trawl the Net and see what you come up with
All the best
Cheers

Alway Welcome to visit us here as well in the Beautiful Blue Mountains.


Just added don't know if any help

http://www.freightervoyages.eu/index.htm

https://www.freightercruises.com/SWN_692_1904.php

Just remember that most all these kind of trips have an age Limit of maximum 79 Years of age

[Trevor Bodiam]

My thanks to all of you that replied. This is not as simple as i believed it would be.
I will keep looking but it does appear that everything i've found so far is going to be way above my expectations and budget.
However i will keep searching.

[Ivan Cloherty]

[QUOTE=Doc Vernon;333498]

Just remember that most all these kind of trips have an age Limit of maximum 79 Years of age

QUOTE]

Alas as usual we are judged by a number, rather than our physical ability