Are there still passenger ships (not cruise ships)

Old May 27th, 2011, 12:07 PM
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Are there still passenger ships (not cruise ships)

I have one lung, and I have been told by my doctors that I will never be able to fly. I have always wanted to travel the world, and now that I am a legal adult, and am the healthiest Ive ever been, I would like to fullfill that dream. However, I do not want to go on a cruise ship to see the world. Are there any passenger ships from the us that travel to ports to other countries, drop me off and allow me to stay for a week or so in that other country, then go back to the port and head back home to the us? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old May 27th, 2011, 02:01 PM
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Cunard still runs the Trans-Atlantic route from New York to Southampton. See http://www.cunard.com/Destinations/T...tic-Crossings/

Cruise lines have re-positioning cruises during spring and fall when they move ships from the Med to the Caribbean or v.v. with fewer stops and lower prices than normal, but you couldn't come back in just a week as you could with Cunard.

Some container ships also take passengers. Possible starting points: http://www.freightertrips.com/ and http://www.freighterworld.com/
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Old May 27th, 2011, 03:15 PM
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thanks
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Old May 27th, 2011, 08:43 PM
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Once you get to Europe (via Cunard or whoever) you can travel all of Europe and into Asia by surface (trains/buses/ferries)

So say you went NY to Southampton in England -- you could get anywhere in Europe (anyplace from London to Ireland to Scotland to Paris to Scandinavia to Italy to Turkey to Greece to anyplace) w/o having to get on a plane.
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Old May 28th, 2011, 05:23 AM
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Might see a competent pulmonary doctor geverally short flights
with sometimes without supplemental oxygen are fine for folks
with all lung diseases with one or two lungs.People who can walk 100 metres on the level without needing oxygen, at a steady pace without feeling breathless or needing to stop, are not likely to be troubled by the reduced pressure in aircraft cabins.

True passenger vessels do not exist currently

vacationstogo.com discounts on repositioning cruises

inside cabins can be cheap aferryto.com cheap ferry options

freighters not cheap for what you get but those work for

some but sounds like you need some quality medical advice...

Odds are overwhelming flying a few hours would do no harm

and be tonnes cheaper and less hassle.

Good luck!
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Old May 28th, 2011, 07:38 AM
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quovadis -- so you've become a doctor now??
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Old May 28th, 2011, 08:09 AM
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I have a rare lung disorder, CCAM. 80% of my right lung was removed at birth, the remaining 20% left so that the rest of my chest wont collapse. My doctor said that if I were to get on a plane, the cysts would expand and could explode, causing death. That or it could enter my blood stream, go to my brain and cause an annerism/stroke.
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Old May 28th, 2011, 08:33 AM
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Amber -- you don't have to explain to Quovadis (or anyone else for that matter). We understood what you posted.

As I mentioned -- once you get to any continent by ship -- and Europe is probably the easiest option -- getting around on trains and ferries is VERY easy. Many prefer surface travel over flying in Europe. It isn't like the States where there is often inadequate or non-existent public transport.

You can even take a train from the center of London to the center of Paris. Or a sleeper train from Paris to Venice. Or ferries to the Greek Isles. Or a ferry from the UK to Ireland. Or just about from anyplace to anyplace else.

So getting across the Atlantic -- look at the links thursdaysd posted and after that you'll have no problems getting around on land.

Good luck to you. (And when you do decide on a destination --then post over on the appropriate forums - like Europe or Asia to get more detailed advice/info)
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Old May 28th, 2011, 08:52 AM
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Actually, you can get even further - carry on through the Middle East and you get to Africa. Or, once you get to Asia it may still be possible to ferry through the Indonesian archipelago on to Australia. Getting to South America is more difficult because of the Darian Gap. Far too dangerous for over-landing, you have to fly or go by boat and it may mean a cruise ship.

There are some books around by people who have gone all the way round the world without flying - Michael Palin of Monty Python fame may be the most famous. I made it all the way from Scotland to Saigon by rail, not just without flying - see http://wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html
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Old May 28th, 2011, 08:58 AM
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Oh yes -- definitely. I just meant that Europe is probably the easiest option -- at least for getting started because of the transatlantic possibilities over and back on Cunard.
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Old May 28th, 2011, 09:27 AM
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is it possible to take a cruise ship to one place and get off, then get back on another cruise ship and head back to the us? And thanks for the feedback. It really helps
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Old May 28th, 2011, 11:21 AM
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As thursdaysd said, one of the challenges of taking cruises to and from Europe is that many of those trans-Atlantic trips go one way in the spring and the other way in the fall.

Around the Caribbean, many cruises are roundtrip from Florida or San Juan. There are some that depart from other locations, but not as many.

You may want to make an appointment with a travel agent who specializes in cruises--they can be a wealth of information.
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Old May 28th, 2011, 12:26 PM
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Amber - most cruises are round trip, aside from the repositioning cruises and a few round the world voyages, where you can just do a segment. Cruises aren't designed for what you're trying to do - you'd be better off looking into container ships. BTW, for planning European train travel, aside from the timetables at bahn.de I highly recommend Thomas Cook's Rail Map - http://tinyurl.com/4x68klr.
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Old May 29th, 2011, 06:42 AM
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Thanks
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Old May 29th, 2011, 10:39 PM
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Here's a possibility - travelling by freighter (cargo) ship. Might be worth a look.

http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/?gc...Fc2DpAodRly8iw

It must be so frustrating not being able to travel!
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Old May 31st, 2011, 08:25 AM
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I agree with everyone who has said that Europe is the easiest trip to make ... QM2 over and back (or a repositioning cruise if you travel at the right time of year). Once you get to Europe, you can travel and explore via train and ship (there are a lot of ferries that provide transportation in Europe). But it's not going to be a simple matter of "getting off" and exploring for a week or two, even in Europe. You'd have to plan your trip carefully and far in advance so you could get transportation back. It's possible, but tricky.

I'd strongly suggest you work with a travel agent to see what you can arrange, but I would also NOT rule out a cruise ship.

During the first quarter of the year, almost every major cruise line runs around-the-world cruises (one-time, extended itineraries that might take you all the way across the globe). You might be surprised and delighted at the number of exotic ports you can reach and visit (albeit on a short trip) with some overnights. It would certainly be worth considering.
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Old Jun 4th, 2011, 07:49 AM
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Amber, my heart goes out to you. I also have a rare lung condtion and I had 50% of my right lung removed in 2009. The doctors never mentioned any potential problems flying and I have done so since then so I am very fortunate not to have that restriction. I would have been devastated if they told me never to fly again so I really do feel for you.

My friend went on the Queen Mary a couple of years ago and she loved it. It is a great way to get across the pond for those who cannot fly. And as Doug mentions, please do not rule out cruise ships as a way to see the world. I've taken several cruises and every one was a delight.

All the best to you in your future travels.
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Old Aug 7th, 2011, 10:47 AM
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www.repositioningcruise.com will show you what leaves from the US in April-May to go to Europe and the other way August to Oct/Nov. jk
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