Bathtub V from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Filmed by Keith Loutit, this video documents a day at the Sydney Port, but because Loutit uses a tilt-shift lens, it makes it look more like boats in a bathtub. The video got me thinking about cargo ship travel — something that is in fact still possible.

So for you crazy adventurers out there that are sick of hopping on airplanes, we’re bringing you an excerpt from How to Travel by Cargo Ship, previously published on The Traveler’s Notebook, part of the Matador Network.

1. What exactly is traveling by Cargo Ship?

Most of the major global shipping lines CMA-CGM, Canada Maritime, and Bank Line offer paying passengers to hop on one of their lines. As a paying passenger you are accommodated in guest cabins and have access to most areas of the ship.

Captains and crew spend a lot of time on the water, and they are usually happy to have a fresh face walking around their workplace, meaning that they may even invite you to eat with them, give you tours of the ship and maybe even have you over for an Officer’s happy hour.

2. Where can I go?

You can travel almost anywhere by cargo ship.

The global shipping industry is huge, and many ports like New York, Shanghai, Los Angeles, and Sydney welcome several ships everyday.
Shipping companies have certain lines covering specific routes, and many of them will allow you to buy a ticket for one of these lines and disembark and board as you please as long as there is a ship leaving on your chosen day.

This is often how round the world routes work: book your freighter ticket and then plan in a few weeks in every major port. With freighters, the possibilities for your adventure are almost endless. Just think: anywhere global commodities are shipped are places that you can disembark and spend time soaking up the local culture before re-boarding.

3. What will it cost?

A common misconception is that if you are willing to spend an extended amount of time on open water you can score an inexpensive mode of transportation to your next travel destination.

Although there are possibilities to work on boats, traveling as a passenger is in fact more expensive than your average airfare. But before you scoff at the price — plan on an average price of $80-140/day — consider this: your ticket pays for room, meals, and a plethora of experiences that cannot be had anywhere else.

Read the rest of the article here.