Traveling on a container ship

Not so glamorous. I had always thought this would be a fun adventure, but it turns out it's not for most travelers. See esp. #9.

I am Master on container ships, actively sailing and have recent experience of carrying passengers on board. Let me give you an updated answer, ...based on my actual experience over the years:

1. ...the cabin shown to you in the glossy pamphlet at the time of booking will not match the actual cabin you get. We obviously will put you in the best cabin available and is designated for the passengers but it may not be as you expected from the photos. This is the difference between the magic of photography and reality.
2. On a container ship your actual view outside your Port hole (window) will most likely be a stack of containers, even if your cabin is on the captain's deck (the highest living space - below the navigation Bridge). Unrestricted view of the sea & sky is only available from the bridge, which will be off limits to you, except at times specifically allowed by the Master...
3. Cargo areas, machinery spaces are out of bounds. At the best you may get a small guided tour.
4. You may not enjoy the food, as we will not prepare any special food for you unless specifically instructed to do so by our office. Imagine you are on a ship where the full compliment of officers and crew are from India / Philippines or China.
5. The ship schedule will NOT be adjusted for your convenience. We may enter and berth at a Port at night 2300 hrs and sail by 0700 hrs, thus you may not get anytime to go ashore.
6. Immigration formalities, security restrictions in the Port ( these are very onerous after 9/11 and the ISPS code that followed) and custom regulations will all have to be complied with. No leeway allowed for passengers.
7. In many ports of the world even the crew have a tough time getting shore leave, because of security rules, so it might be even more difficult for the passengers.
8. The ship's agent will NOT be organizing any tours for you. You are on your own.
9. In case you have any medical problems, you will be treated by the captain and if required we will take radio medical advice, but please remember we are NOT doctors. The medicine chest on board is limited as is our expertise in matters medical!
10. All ships may not have internet facility available, even if it is there it will be limited... Satellite phone calls are expensive.
11. In times of yore a ships library used to have a good collection of books, but with present day digital technology...the library is out...
12. You may want to stand on the navigation bridge as the ship enters / exits a port, but this is the most critical time for us, so you will not be allowed... at best you will be watching it from outside decks.
13. For those who may be thinking you can take part in the ship's work to relive your boredom - this is explicitly not allowed as per the rules. You will not be allowed to even peel a potato in our galley (cooking space), in case you cut your finger, I will get into deep trouble.
14. ...we have VDR - Voyage Data recorders - that record each and every word that is spoken and every activity that takes place on the bridge. So, we have a rule - "Conversations social in their nature shall be kept to the minimum at all times and shall be totally avoided when the bridge is on RED alert status", so you can forget chatting...
15. Cruise ships have their voyages planned and scheduled for good weather and passenger comfort, whereas cargo ships are expected to take some rough weather as they are designed to do so and execute the most economical voyage - the crew / passenger comfort purely in terms of weather is secondary, so you may experience some rough weather...
16. I have carried passengers on a ship that was 20 years old with no special provisions for passengers and also on a one year old ship which had dedicated passenger cabins and "smoke room" facilities along with an extra steward. Even so, all the points that i have written above are equally valid on both ships.
17. So, what kind of people are likely to enjoy the cruise on a container ship - in my experience, these were older people, who have retired from their jobs, have some experience of budget travels, who actually have nothing to do once they get home. They clearly enjoy the solitude at sea, and they are not in a hurry to reach their destination. My best passengers have always been Britishers (single or as a couple), retired, travelling from U.K to Australia / New Zealand via the Mediterranean, suez canal and Indian ocean. They clearly took the life as sailor on board in their stride and they were a pleasure to sail with. One memorable guy sailed twice with us in the span of three months - U.K to Australia and back.

https://www.quora.com/Can-you-travel-on-a-container-ship/answer/Pratap-Pudi?ch=10&share=e687343b&srid=3um4T