Spotting sharks, dinner with the captain... and the only on board entertainment is karaoke with the crew: What it's REALLY like to be a passenger on a cargo ship

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Adventurous travellers don’t have to buy an expensive yacht or join hundreds of other passengers on a cruise ship to travel around the world by sea.

There’s an option that remains somewhat of a secret and is suited to those who aren’t fussy about amenities or frills and are prepared to spend plenty of time on the open water.

Cargo ships which transport thousands of containers on long journeys across oceans have cabins set aside for holidaymakers who are looking for a unique experience – and don’t mind hanging out with the captain and his mates.

Andrew Horsman (second from right) and his wife, Danielle, dine with members of the ship's crew

Andrew and Danielle spent 10 days sailing on the MV Baltrum Trader, from Singapore to Brisbane, Australia

Briton Andrew Horsman and his wife, Danielle, travelled from Singapore to Brisbane on a freighter ship and called it ‘an absolutely fantastic experience’, with free reign over much of the vessel.

Their 10-day journey on the MV Baltrum Trader was booked through a travel agent at a cost £600 each.

The price included bunk bed accommodation, food and insurance, and they paid duty free prices on alcoholic beverages at dinner or when it was time to unwind at night.

As the only passengers on board, they thought the 10-day voyage would be loaded with quiet time (they brought plenty of books on board) but they spent much of it socialising with the 20-member crew and staring out at the sea.

At night they would play darts or watch films in a common room, spend time chatting with the crew over drinks or dinner, or sing karaoke with the workers, who hosted a St Patrick’s Day barbecue for Danielle, who is Irish.

The couple spent plenty of time staring out at sea, where they spotted sharks, dolphins and turtles

Andrew, 42, said he and his wife enjoyed the solitude – as opposed to being on a ship with other passengers – and the camaraderie among the crew.

He said: ‘You could be up on the bow looking out and it would be completely silent. There’s no sound. You can see flying fish and dolphins, and turtles and sea snakes and sharks.

‘It was like nothing I had ever imagined.’

Most of the officers and crew members were from Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Poland and the Philippines.

Andrew and Danielle joined the officers and crew for meals in the ship's two mess rooms

Andrew said: ‘They came from all over the world and all of a sudden they’re in a community, they’re with each other for at least a month at a time.

‘They couldn’t have been nicer. The accommodation was great and we were made to feel at home.

The couple was allowed to venture almost anywhere on the ship. They were allowed on the bridge and were given a tour of the engine room.

The 680-ft long ship had separate lounges for the officers and crew, and two mess rooms, where the chefs on board served Filipino, Russian and German dishes, in addition to classics such as hamburgers.

Andrew photographed the Batu Tara volcano on the Indonesian island of Pulau Komba

The ship also had a sauna, plunge pool and table tennis for its crew and passengers to enjoy as it transported nearly 2,000 containers – filled with meat, vegetables, clothing and other goods – from Malaysia to Brisbane, with a stop in Singapore along the way.

Andrew, who is originally from Uckfield, East Sussex but now lives in County Donegal, Ireland, said he and his wife had no concerns about their safety, but were warned a fall into the sea would be fatal. He said: ‘We were told if you fall over there is no rescue. You have to tell people you are going to the bow. They said the sharks would get you before the ship could turn around.’

The voyage was the final leg of Andrew’s nine-month journey from England to Australia, which he pulled off without taking a single flight.

The couple enjoyed the camaraderie on board and spent time socialising with the ship's crew 

He said: ‘I had this big dream of getting to Australia without flying from England and I knew I had to get across the sea some way.

‘Everyone jumps on a plane to get places and this is a completely different way of travelling. I said we owe it to ourselves to explore and see other ways of travelling.’

Freight ship travel isn’t for everyone and is a less crowded and slower option. It’s a chance to see the world with far fewer amenities than a cruise ship, although passengers can bring more luggage on board.

Planning such a voyage is not as difficult as one would think, as there are travel agents which specialise in freight travel and advertise their itineraries online.

The MV Baltrum Trader was carrying nearly 2,000 containers filled with food, clothing and other goods

Some journeys last about a week, while others can go on for two or more months.

A 42-day return cruise offered through Sea Travel Ltd would take passengers twice across the Pacific Ocean – from Seattle to Shanghai and back, with stops at eight ports.

The trip would cost €85 to €105 per person per day (approximately £60 to £75 or $92 to $114), based on the type of cabin and single or double occupancy.

The most expensive cabin boasts a bedroom, shower/toilet and living room, including a refrigerator, television, two sofas, desk and chair.

A freefall lifeboat on the Baltrum Trader; Andrew and his wife were cautious when they ventured onto the bow

A pilot boat travels alongside the MV Baltrum Trader as it arrives at Australia's Great Barrier Reef

From the UK, Cargo Ship Voyages offers a number of voyages, including a one-way, 27-night cruise from London Gateway to Buenos Aires, Argentina, from £2,545 ($4,000) per person.

It includes a stop in France before sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to ports in Brazil and Argentina’s capital.

FlightlessTravel.com said cargo ship travel is more expensive than travellers think, as it regularly costs about the same as a journey on a cruise ship.

But it’s an ideal method of travel for those who are keen to visit less ‘touristy’ parts of the world or are looking to travel during cruise ships’ off-peak seasons.

The website said passengers usually get to dine with the captain and his officers, most cabins have their own toilet and shower, and cargo ships usually accommodate 12 or fewer travellers, meaning they will not be crowded with other travellers.