Anyone Know Can I Travel From Europe To Thailand By Boat?

[cmbe]

Sorry to ask this question that maybe someone think nonsence to travel from Europe to Thailand by boat, it will be a lot of cost and time and I still don't know if it possible to do or not. With some problem that can not travel by Air plane, so I try to think maybe there is another way to go to Thailand.

I don't know how many countries I have to transfer to another boat until arrive Thailand, and how.

[johnwills]

I'm not sure if it is still possible to hitch a lift with a cargo vessel, apparently some used to have passenger cabins. Downside, it will take some time to travel between Europe and Asia, plus the risk of pirates.

[cmbe]

Can I do it in regal way, no risk? for 2 passengers. I want to move to Thailand next year buy still can not find the way without flying by airplane, I tried a few times but no good luck so I look in another way to go to Thailand.

[sas_cars]

Why you can't fly? Fear of flying?

[phaethon]

There are several agencies that arrange passenger transport on cargo ships which have dedicated passenger cabins. Facilities are not up to cruise liner standard and you make your own entertainment I assume. Prices seem to be around £50-100/day and the one way trip can take 3-4 weeks depending on where the ship calls.

Google: [ cargo ship passengers ]

[Bizz]

There is a friend of mine in Sweden that did some courses that allowed him to fly.

The shockwaves following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in New York were felt around the whole world in many different ways. One of the most immediate responses to the tragedy was an enormous decline in air travel. This tail-off was so significant that within weeks of the terrorist attack a number of prominent airlines had gone out of business, while others were laying off staff in their thousands.

A phobia which had previously affected a minority of people had suddenly become a mainstream concern, due to the terrorists on the United Airlines flights. Fear of flying is now a serious issue for many people and their concerns may stop them from boarding a plan for a short trip to London or Brussels for business, or even taking the family on a scheduled charter flight for a sun holiday.

"There was a time when people rarely ever mentioned hijacking, but it is now the uppermost reason for fear of flying in people's minds", says Dr Maeve Byrne-Crangle. She specialises in treating aviophobia and works as a consultant psychologist at Dublin Airport for Aer Lingus, running courses to help people overcome their difficulty with air travel.

After September 11

Recent events have brought the issue of hijacking to the forefront of people's minds, she admits. "What happened in America was horrendous, but the number of flights that are hijacked is truly minute. Security is being scrutinised internationally in every single airport and everything possible is being done to ensure that it can never happen again. In fact, there has probably never been a safer time to take a flight".

f people are prepared to forego foreign holidays and refuse employment opportunities that require air travel simply to avoid getting on a plane, then their discomfort is clearly great. But what is it that people fear about flying and how can they learn to overcome that fear? The fact is that different people fear many different things about flying. These can include:

* People who fear heights, being above the clouds, large bodies of water, or storms can find their fears exacerbated by boarding a flight.

* People who experience panic attacks can find that taking a flight can trigger an attack. People who have separate phobias, such as a fear of closed in spaces, a fear of being trapped, or a fear of crowds can find their phobia flares up while in flight.

* Other people have trust issues. They may doubt the safety records of planes because they have heard in the media about high-profile plane crashes. They may not feel in control and doubt the ability of pilots to fly the plane or air traffic control to guide it properly. They may not trust the integrity of the plane itself, because they do not understand the noises and sensations that occur on a plane in flight.

* Some people may have endured a bad experience on a flight. Perhaps they went through a bad patch of turbulence, or they felt nauseous, or perhaps they were going through a difficult or stressful period in their lives when they boarded a flight and they associate those feelings with air travel ever after.

Aer Lingus run a series of courses for people to help overcome their fear of flying at Dublin Airport and there is a course held at Cork airport each year for those who live in the South of Ireland. There are also plans to introduce a course based at Shannon next year. The course is tailored to one, three or the full ten appointments, depending on the needs of the client and the severity of their fear. People who pursue a ten-week course take a 30 minute graduation flight across the country at the end to celebrate defeating their phobia.

The recently published guide to defeating flight fear.

The courses examine why people develop their fears over flying, countering media reporting on crashes with facts that demonstrate how safe air travel actually is. People are taught how to control their though patterns, how breathing exercises can reduce panic reactions and why visualisation is the key to unlocking the fear.

"People have many reasons why they might fear flying", says Dr Byrne-Crangle. "They may feel claustrophobic, or suffer panic attacks. Often they simply fear being fearful and that brings on the reaction. Others are worried as a result of not understanding the technical aspects of planes, why certain noises might occur because of what happens during a flight. If someone has had a single bad flight, they might compound that by replaying that fear in their heads the next time".

The key message is that fear is something we do to ourselves and to conquer it is to control it.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Sorry to ask this question that maybe someone think nonsence to travel from Europe to Thailand by boat, it will be a lot of cost and time and I still don't know if it possible to do or not. With some problem that can not travel by Air plane, so I try to think maybe there is another way to go to Thailand.

I don't know how many countries I have to transfer to another boat until arrive Thailand, and how.

Not cheap but can be done, at least to Malaysia, Singapore, or Hong Kong. Here's just one example:

http://www.freighter-cruises.com/07/07/-news.html

Mac

[cmbe]

Why you can't fly? Fear of flying?

I have no problem to fly, I like to fly special when landing or going up but this is a problem of my husband who will live with me in Thailand and I never have had before such as this difficult situation.

[cmbe]

There are several agencies that arrange passenger transport on cargo ships which have dedicated passenger cabins. Facilities are not up to cruise liner standard and you make your own entertainment I assume. Prices seem to be around £50-100/day and the one way trip can take 3-4 weeks depending on where the ship calls.

Google: [ cargo ship passengers ]

Thanks, I will try to search at google.

[jdinasia]

If you 'can't' fly I am guessing you have not visited here ... but you are considering moving here?

Check with a travel agent and have them check cruise ships.

[cmbe]

Thank you Bizz, all what you said that is true, my husband has this phobia with bad experience, closed space,less trust to let the pilot control airplane and wait many years to begin to fly again.

I saw a few times with my eyes that never know how people can be so fear and I tried to do and talk any way that come in my sence in that moment, but finally we were back home with 4 luggages and so confuse in my mine that I do not know what I have to do.

After that 6-7 months later we do it again, in this time he could boarding and put luggages up over the seat, then 1 minuite later we walk out from airplane and go to take luggages back (good luck that they are not go with airplane yet, otherwhise I will feel more pain that only luggagea that arrive Bangkok, not we.

Another time we tried again to win this problem, buy ticket round trip that fly only 30 minuites and he could do it, I was very happy and thought that his problem is gone but I have to wake up from good dream when we have to make a return trip that we have to wake out from the way to boarding again.

I try to understand that many people have different fear in their life and then thinking about go to Thailand by boat, this is the reason why I ask you all with this question.

I thank you all replies and give me more hoping to arrive Thailand that I miss so much.

[cmbe]

If you 'can't' fly I am guessing you have not visited here ... but you are considering moving here?

Check with a travel agent and have them check cruise ships.

In last post I explained it is my husband problem, not me but it same my problem too because I think with serious couple life you have to share everything good or bad, 2 lifes become one and cause that I did not say that I am Thai and it make you guessing wrong. For cruise, it too expensive for us and even by boat I have to calculate how long we have to wait to move back to Thailand.

[Tinkelbell]

There are cruises from Europe to Thailand for sure.

Once while dining in this hotel in Bangkok, the whole place filled with this group of Westerner tourists from the cruise ship. Check it out ....Vacation toGo.com

cmbe, if you ever wants to go to the US ( may be in the future) without flying.

It is good to know there are many convenient and easy options to choose from.

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers cruise from Barcelona to Manhattan, NY. Also cruise from Miami, Florida to Barcelona. Makes it a nice round trip between Europe and USA.

FYI, I'm not affiliated with the NCL. I was merely a passenger on this ship.

[waveydavey]

Have you considered travelling overland?

You can take the Trans Siberian express from Moscow to China (takes 6 days direct but you can break the journey) and presumably bus/train from there......

[Crossy]

Overland may be faster and cheaper (and you can get out where you want to explore).

http://slowwayround.wordpress.com/about/

[IMA_FARANG]

Sorry to ask this question that maybe someone think nonsence to travel from Europe to Thailand by boat, it will be a lot of cost and time and I still don't know if it possible to do or not. With some problem that can not travel by Air plane, so I try to think maybe there is another way to go to Thailand.

I don't know how many countries I have to transfer to another boat until arrive Thailand, and how.

Could be a problem these days.

There used to be adverts in the Bangkok Post Shipping News section when I first arrived here about 1980. You could actually book a cabin with cargo companies that had spare accomadation for tourists.

These days that is not very likely.

First of all crew size has been cut to a minimum level as the gear is all automated/computerised. They don't need a big crew any more. minimum manning is cheaper.

Secondly, many of the vessels are container roll-on roll-off container carriers. A container makes a profit to transport, a passenger doesn't make as much. So the containers are hoidted on and off, passenger are just a nuisense.

However it might still be possible on some smaller, general cargo ships. These tend to be the older ships.

You might be able to find one that allows a limited number of passengers. Be prepared to take care of your own entertainment. The crew will have little time for you due to the "minimum manning" thing"

Rotterdam, Bremen, etc. would be the place to check.

You should expect two or three transfer stops. Turkey, U.A.E., India/Sri Lanka, and Singapore/Malysia would be likely possiblities.

It won't be fast, but if you want to spend time traveling it would be quite an adventure.

You will have to be rather independent and able to handle unexpected problems/chamges in schedule.

If you try it, Good luck

[endure]

Be aware that, as previously said, if you choose to sail on a cargo ship rather than a cruise liner you'll have to make your own entertainment. Take plenty of books. If you sail on a cargo ship which is licensed to carry 12 or less passengers there will be no medical staff of any description on board apart from the Second Mate and his sharpened spoon.

[designersing]

jetski!

[Seapok]

You could get a train from Moscow to Hanoi, Vietnam then bus it into north east Thailand then commute to Bangkok......

http://www.trans-siberian.co.uk/site/

[bigphil30uk]

Looked into this a while back and found this site

http://www.freighterworld.com/

or

http://www.strandtravel.co.uk/index.aspx

[rott]

Plenty of container ships sailing from UK/European/Mediterranean ports to Malaysia and Singapore that carry passengers. Fast, modern ships with very comfortable accommodation, but no entertainment obviously. Currently I think the quickest is Barcelona to Port Kelang (for KL) 15 days, or a weekly sailing from Thamesport to Tanjung Pelepas (southern tip of Malaysia bordering Singapore) 18/19 days.

But nothing direct to a Thai port.

Try the "Internet guide to Freighter Travel", and the link to The Cruise People Ltd, London.

Done it many times, relax and enjoy it.

[Jimjim]

It's won't be a cruise ship if you use a freighter as far as entertainment, yes. However, some of them do give you entertainment like a movie room full of DVDs, swimming pools (seen pictures of at least one that had this), and since there are few passengers, everyone gets a several days where they eat with the captain, and get several trips to the bridge where they can observe what the captain and crew are doing, and get to learn all about sea travel in ways you would not while on a cruise ship. The appeal is there for some. Knew one guy who did it on a German ship, and said they spent lots of time with the captain when it was their turn, and had a great time conversing with him as he was extremely personable and educated. They learned a lot of interesting things about sailing the ocean. It probably all depends on the ship you get though.

There is one or two cruise ships that do around the world trips and take off from Europe and stop in Thailand, usually Phuket I think. Queen Mary II? That or the Queen Victoria. Google it.

[cmbe]

There are cruises from Europe to Thailand for sure.

Once while dining in this hotel in Bangkok, the whole place filled with this group of Westerner tourists from the cruise ship. Check it out ....Vacation toGo.com

cmbe, if you ever wants to go to the US ( may be in the future) without flying.

It is good to know there are many convenient and easy options to choose from.

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers cruise from Barcelona to Manhattan, NY. Also cruise from Miami, Florida to Barcelona. Makes it a nice round trip between Europe and USA.

FYI, I'm not affiliated with the NCL. I was merely a passenger on this ship.

I checked vacation to go.com and registered to ask more information but they not answer me yet.

[ignis]

http://www.oz-bus.com/

London to Sidney Australia by overland Coach, as they come into Thailand maybe you can get off ?

[cmbe]

Have you considered travelling overland?

You can take the Trans Siberian express from Moscow to China (takes 6 days direct but you can break the journey) and presumably bus/train from there......

your advice is also interesting, I checked it and the cost is not too expensive and I see the route I can transfer from China to Vietnam then to Bangkok, so this is another choice for us. Thank you.

[cmbe]

Overland may be faster and cheaper (and you can get out where you want to explore).

http://slowwayround.wordpress.com/about/

Yes, overland is faster and cheaper than fleighter cruise and I checked it the route is almost same Moscow-Beijing (trans Sibirian), I have to check more how long to arrive Moscow to get this train and also from China to Thailand.

[markg]

What an interesting thread. CMBE, i'd love to have an update on how you actually get here.

I certainly wasnt aware it was possible to do it overland.

Good that it's still possible.

My own passion is sailing, and i know it's definitely possible to do it as crew on a sailing boat that is being delivered to this part of the world. Problem is that the dates usually wont fit in with dates that are convenient for you!

Good luck and i look forwards to hearing about your experiences.

Personally, i'd take the train, not the bus. Lots more room to move about on the train.

[DougF]

Sorry to ask this question that maybe someone think nonsence to travel from Europe to Thailand by boat, it will be a lot of cost and time and I still don't know if it possible to do or not. With some problem that can not travel by Air plane, so I try to think maybe there is another way to go to Thailand.

I don't know how many countries I have to transfer to another boat until arrive Thailand, and how.

Hi cmbe,

Phobias about anything, flying, snakes, etc. are serous but there is a way to cure it. Go to the website EFT.com and look it over. I have been using EFT for years and find it very effective. I too had a fear of flying...EFT cured it very quickly. I have used it on a girlfriend in Thailand who was afraid of heights. We lived on the 14th floor at the time. I cured her of this fear in a very short time. She was amazed. It does work.

Good Luck,

Doug

[opalhort]

Regarding the fear of flying:

Isn't it possible to have the person sedated (sleep) for the duration of the flight?

In '83 I was on a flight from Saudi Arabia to BKK and while the plane was accelerating on the runway a woman a few rows in front of me started screaming 'let me off'. A flight attendant with the help of a male person sitting next to her (husband?) apparently forced her to drink something and a minute later all was calm.

On arrival in BKK she appeared to be drowsy and was put in a wheelchair but later at immigration I saw her standing in line with the male person as everybody else.

Probably the flight crew would have to be alerted in advance to a possible situation like that.

opalhort

[Tinkelbell]

There are cruises from Europe to Thailand for sure.

Once while dining in this hotel in Bangkok, the whole place filled with this group of Westerner tourists from the cruise ship. Check it out ....Vacation toGo.com

cmbe, if you ever wants to go to the US ( may be in the future) without flying.

It is good to know there are many convenient and easy options to choose from.

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers cruise from Barcelona to Manhattan, NY. Also cruise from Miami, Florida to Barcelona. Makes it a nice round trip between Europe and USA.

FYI, I'm not affiliated with the NCL. I was merely a passenger on this ship.

I checked vacation to go.com and registered to ask more information but they not answer me yet.

cmbe, seeing that you have little trouble gotting their reply, so I went back to their web site to check it out again.

They have cruise from Europe to Bangkok, ports of call....Lam Chabang, Klong-Teuy. They also lists several toll free numbers for many countries in Europe. It would be easier if I know what country (in EU you from), so I can relate to you.

I've been their customer (a happy one) for many years. I have nothing but good thing to say about them. They are fast and efficient in bookings your trip. Their web site has dozens of anykind of trip. More selections and varied in prices. Give them a try.