Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Linkedin

Living on a Cargo Ship for 2 Weeks: A Nomad’s Alternative Route

Why would a digital nomad travel by cargo ship?

Honestly, it began with me feeling burnt out from the years of planes, trains, and tuk-tuks. I craved something different. Something raw and real and rough. I wanted to move—but not to rush. 

And so one day, I booked passage on a container ship from Malaysia to Sri Lanka. No itinerary, no plan. Just the wide, blue seascape and stacks and stacks of steel containers rumbling alongside me.

It made me realize that, despite having been to almost every country in the world and consequently thinking that I’ve seen it all, I have never truly taken the time to slow down. 

Boarding the Beast

Think airplanes are uncomfortable? Cargo ships are an entirely different beast. You’ll feel like you’re entering this industrial maze, not some travel vessel. 

The boarding process is nothing exciting. But at least that also means it’s a bit less stressful than air travel. There’s a port security checkpoint, a climb up a shaky gangway, and a briefing by a stern-looking officer. 

This was no cruise ship, nope. No welcome drink. No safety drill with life jackets and whistles. This wasn’t travel—this was business. I had a private cabin, at least. Basic but comfortable enough. A bed, a desk, a bathroom. What else could you need?

The window overlooked rows and rows of multicolored containers. My neighbors? A crew of dozens of men from the Philippines, Russia, India, and too many other countries to list. Over 80% of the world’s goods are transported via sea; no wonder the ship felt like its microcosm. 

Life at Sea: Silence and Isolation

The first thing you notice is the silence. It’s almost deafening.  No horns, no traffic, no background hum, and chit-chat of city life. Just the low drone of the engine and the occasional intercom. 

Time felt different. The days were very structured—watch shifts, maintenance, meals, sleep. Days felt both excruciatingly slow and so quick that they blurred together. 

I had internet sometimes. I had about 10 minutes of patchy satellite Wi-Fi a day. Maybe 30 if I’m lucky. It was enough to tell my family I hadn’t drowned in the ocean yet. The lack of social media scrolling was both refreshing and maddening. 

Tips so you don’t go insane:

First, carry a journal. You’ll be alone with your thoughts a lot.

Second, bring things to read and watch. I read five books and watched downloaded documentaries. Even watched my first anime series!

And get a VPN! If you don’t know what’s a VPN, it’s a program that grants you access to sites unavailable in your geographical area. (And you’ll be changing geographical areas quite often). 

Ship Culture and Crew Camaraderie

Of course, you’ll interact with your crewmates a lot too. I have listened to countless stories shared in broken English. Some wild, some sad, some hilarious. When you have nothing else to do, no story is boring. It was usually during meals at the mess halls, which were served at fixed times and typically consisted of fish, rice, and curry. 

Sometimes, we’d go to the bridge and watch the ship slice through waves. Conversations ranged from family to politics. Sometimes, it was obvious people made stories up just so they had something to talk about. I didn’t mind, personally. 

My favorite memory was an evening when we were playing cards while someone was blasting Bollywood music from an old laptop. I lost money on our bets, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t fun. 

Logistics: What to Expect If You’re Considering It

Okay, if you’re considering this, let’s talk logistics. 

Since it was my first time, what I did was look for the most reputable freighter company in the country. From then out, it was fairly simple.

You’ll need medical clearance and travel insurance (which you probably already have). Though other countries and companies might have other requirements. Also, a warning: departure times shift a lot—sometimes by days. 

Unless you want to go insane or have the patience of a 100-year-old monk, bring offline entertainment. Books, downloaded movies, language learning textbooks, whatever suits your fancy. And snacks too. Meals are provided, but trust me, you’ll crave snacks. 

If you’re into fitness, remember that there are no gyms or pools. You’ll have to make do with stairs, deck laps, and push-ups (which was honestly fun in its own right!)

As for prices, you’re looking at around $100-150 USD a day. Depending on where you are, of course. Not cheap—but this wasn’t about saving money anyway. It’s about gaining time. 

Lessons from the Water

Funnily enough, spending weeks on water made me feel more grounded. Life nowadays, whether you’re constantly traveling or have a 9-5, is just so, so fast. We’ve truly forgotten the irreplaceable value of stillness. 

Again, it’s funny because, as nomads who are constantly traveling, we forget that travel doesn’t always have to be about chasing the next place. There is just as much beauty in the moments in between. 

Cargo ship life is surely not for everyone. But if you’re a burnt-out nomad, consider it. It’s a sea-and-steel retreat that reminds you of what’s truly important.