--------------------------   Current information on the Corona pandemic:

A complete vaccination against COVID-19 (3 vaccination doses) is required for all cargo ship voyages.

A few shipping companies require a current antigen rapid test (one shipping company a PCR test) from a testing station, which must be presented upon embarkation. All other shipping companies expect each passenger to make a self-test before boarding and, of course, not to board the ship if they feel ill.

Due to current restrictions caused by the Corona virus, shore excursions may not be possible in very rare cases. It is essential to follow the instructions of the ship's management in this regard.

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Frachtschiff-Touristik Kapitän Zylmann GmbH is the travel agent (mediator) of the voyages described here, but is not responsible for the on-board management of the trips.

These voyages are individual trips, no package tours. The shipping companies are the carriers. Some voyage numbers are serviced by more than one ship, sometimes from different  shipping companies. We will of course provide the names of the ships and the shipping companies to all interested potential passengers.

We have to mention again that a voyage aboard a freighter vessel is not to be compared to a voyage on a passenger cruise ship. A freighter serves the express purpose of transporting cargo, and the body of statutes and particulars which regulate cargo transport must be followed.

On these ships, there is place for sometimes only one passenger or up to twelve passengers. This allows passengers to experience an merchant vessel first-hand, to see what seafaring is really like.

For all freighter voyages a valid passport is always required, ID-cards are insufficient. Depending on the voyage area the passport has to be valid up to six months after the end of the voyage.

The deviation insurance listed in the prices is a special insurance for the exceptional case that the ship has to deviate from the route or is delayed because of a passenger. The insurance covers charter loss and fuel costs of the shipping company.

The age limits are different for each voyage and are set by the shipping companies. Many shipping companies still took passengers up to the age of 78/79, but a few only up to the age of 70 or 75. You will find precise details in the individual cruise descriptions.

Passengers aged 65 and older are required to have an up-to-date medical certificate before the start of their journey. Some shipping companies also require a medical certificate from younger passengers and/or before the booking, in this case you will find the information in the relevant passage description. There are no lifts on cargo ships, you must therefore be able to climb stairs over several floors. Passengers aged 79 and older are required to provide a detailed medical certificate at the time of booking already, please ask us for the relevant form. If there are more than 6 weeks between booking and departure, a new medical certificate has to be issued before departure.

All meals are included in the fear on all voyages. Only beverages are paid extra, but these are usually available at moderate supermarket prices. The passenger partakes of the normal on-board meals in the officer’s messroom. Special dietary food, as well as vegetarian or vegan meals are not available on board.

International health insurance with medical repatriation is required by all shipping companies. German and Austrian citizens have the option of booking appropriate travel cover online (also including travel cancellation and interruption insurance) via our website.

Bedclothes and towels are provided in the cabins. A hair dryer is not provided.

Working on board in order to reduce the passage price is not possible anymore. Please contact a seamen's employment office in your country if you are interested in a job on a ship.

Pets are not allowed on board of freighters.

The berthing times in the ports vary greatly and always depend on the current cargo volume, so usual berthing times are not known in advance for individual voyages.

Unfortunately pregnant women may not sail with a freighter.

Delays and change of departure dates/arrival dates are always possible. We have to point out that neither the shipping company nor we can cover additional expenses to a passenger (hotel expenses, etc.) resulting from a ship not being able to depart on time due to schedule changes. Such schedule fluctuations, sometimes occurring shortly before scheduled departure, are to be expected when travelling on a freighter. The type of cargo, the working hours at the port of call, the working hours of the locks, and the weather are all deciding factors for the time of departure.

Variation in route may be necessary and always depend on the current cargo situation. The  shipping companies retain the right, in exceptional cases, to take on or discharge passengers in neighbouring countries. In such cases, neither the  shipping company nor the agent are responsible for additional costs to the passenger resulting from travelling to or/and from the port, hotel expenses, etc. Variations in the ships’ scheduled routes cannot always be avoided.

Charter contracts for cargo ships can be terminated or changed at short notice depending on the current cargo volume. Early bookings must therefore also expect rebooking or cancellation of a voyage.

The language on board off all vessels is English. Communication and safety briefings always take place in this language. Sufficient knowledge of English should be available for this purpose.

If you are interested in taking your vehicle or other cargo on the same ship, then please contact a local forwarding (shipping) agency in the country of origin. As travel agent we are not able to book cargo or provide any information regarding transportation of cars or other goods.

Luggage: You can take up to 1/2 cubic metre of luggage with you, provided it is handily packed in travel bags or small suitcases and you can carry it yourself over the gangway on board.
Larger or bulky items as well as household goods (electrical appliances, furniture, etc.) have to be shipped in a container and through international forwarding agencies due to strict customs regulations.

Cargo ships do not have stabilisers.

On some ships, the presence of passengers on the bridge is limited while navigating narrow or shallow waters, and while entering a harbor. The presence of passengers on the bridge may be prohibited for safety reasons in rare cases. Of course you are welcome on the bridge again when the vessel is sailing on the open sea and when the difficult manoeuvres are over.

You have to know that - depending on the season and the shipping route - the weather may be bad with high seas and a heavy rolling and pitching vessel. Therefore passengers have to be healthy and fit for a freighter voyage.

Swimming pools on board may not always be available for use or may not be filled with water, due to cold weather or due to the rolling and pitching of the vessel.

Important for passengers to the USA: A visa for the USA (B1/B2 tourist visa) is obligatory for all passengers, only except of American or Canadian citizens. ESTA is insufficient.

Please pay attention to our information concerning necessary visas and vaccinations, shown in the  individual passage descriptions. It is absolutely necessary to get all vaccinations and procure all visas required for the countries the vessel will be calling, even if you do not plan to go ashore.

You have to contact the embassies or consulates in order to find out exactly what kind of visa you need as we are not able to provide reliable entry requirements for citizens of foreign countries. The  shipping companies do not accept delays or postponements in the ship’s schedule, and perhaps expenses, due to a passenger not having all necessary papers and vaccinations.

Along with your reservation documents, you will receive „Captain Zylmann’s Log Book“, which is an additional source of general information for passengers aboard freighter vessels. For example, you will find useful information concerning mealtimes on board, suitable clothing, and going ashore at your port of call. Generally, after reading our log book, all your questions should be answered.

Please note the General Conditions of Frachtschiff-Touristik Kapitän Zylmann GmbH on the back of the reservation form, and the carrier contracts of the shipping companies, which we will gladly send if you do not have them yet.