The pragmatic age of aviation ended, shortly after the conclusion of World War II, the romantic era of the transatlantic. The plane saved time and money and, although devoid of the "glamour" of the great interwar steamers - and even of that air of tragic adventure that the unfortunate «Titanic»-, transoceanic flights were also made less strenuous.
What we make!, but Never again will we sail between Europe and America like those sumptuous ships of the "Cunard" or the "White Star Line.". Navigation, understood as the transfer of passengers between two great continents brothers and not as freight, vanished for ever.
For the cruise, so fashionable today, are quite another. For a rationale: are not made to carry passengers from one point to another on the banks of the oceans, but an end in themselves. The cruises are offered as a sort of glamorous pleasure to tourism today. It is true that proposed destinations, but they are round-trip destinations. You do not go to a specific, but returns to the same site. And since we know the inner meaning of the trip is going, not reach, the cruise somehow denies us the spirit of adventure, the spirit of the unpredictable, which is the deepest essence of travel. I have traveled twice on cruise ships, for reasons that are irrelevant- and the two I have promised not. I do not know if a third time picaré.
There are thousands of freighters sailing the seas of the world every day and the number of seats and destinations is overwhelming
As I said we can not recover the pleasure of sailing in the old transatlantic. But today there is a way to cross the oceans in a way resembles that of old. I refer to the merchant. For some years, owners, as they call the owners of the vessels- have realized that there is a kind of traveler who do not like the plane and not too much love cruises. And they have decided to offer agencies the cabins for the shipowner himself, and the families of the officers, booths, usually, hardly used and in almost all trips are empty. There are thousands of freighters sailing the seas of the world every day and the number of seats and destinations is overwhelming. The only rule to be observed by these vessels is that the number of passengers on board, the crew do not have, course- does not exceed the figure of twelve, as, according to maritime law, be larger quantity would be considered cruise ship and lose the license to carry goods.
The cabins on these ships are comfortable, there are double and single and almost always carry toilet. and shower, cabinets, heating and air conditioning or a porthole overlooking the ocean. Its price depends somewhat on the services offered, since there, even, with heated pool, gym and a chic bar. Normally, the price is a high-average hotel a few hundred dollars the night-, which includes all meals. Yes: must comply with the strict schedule of the crew. Alcohol is paid extra, but at “tax-free” prices.
I made a trip on one of these vessels from Montreal to Liverpool a few years ago. It was a splendid adventure aboard a freighter flying the German flag
There are already agencies that specialize in this type of trip. And even, a guide in Spanish. Today, one can organize around the world changing carriers, crossing the seas and oceans for a few months.
I made a trip on one of these vessels from Montreal and Liverpool a few years ago, out of the imposing entrance to the río San Lorenzo and sailing along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, over the waters of the “Intrepid Captains” of Kipling and the ill-fated "Titanic". It was a splendid adventure aboard a freighter flying the German flag, with German officers and Filipino crew. I saw whales and icebergs from the bridge and splendid full moon nights in the middle of Atlantic lonely. And I entered Liverpool whistling "Yellow Submarine", as is required. Natulamente, I told all this in a book.
