Whether you want to discover new areas, compete, or just have fun out on the water, sailing is an inexpensive way to enjoy freedom and tranquillity on the sea.
In general, sailing is not cheaper than flying for travel. Traveling over large distances is often cheaper by air than by sea, and travel over short distances can be achieved by car. However, sea travel may be preferable to air if a large volume of goods needs to be transported.
Sailing is ingrained in the blood of many sailors. Apart from being a social and enjoyable activity that allows you to escape from everyday concerns and difficulties, sailing does not have to be an expensive pastime. Whether or not you own a sailboat, you may hire one and still have a great time out on the water. Believe it or not, sailing is more affordable than the majority of hobbies, even flying a small aircraft.
Additionally, sailing does not need extreme fitness, able-bodies, or a good swimmer. All you need are some fundamental sailing abilities and the ability to be out on the water while wearing a buoyancy aid.
The majority of people often inquire if sailing is an expensive pastime. To be sure, it may be a costly pastime, but it does not have to be. It’s entirely up to you and the amount of money you’re prepared to spend on this exhilarating pastime. In essence, sailing should not be reserved for those endowed with monarchical riches. Rather than that, an ordinary paid guy might easily enter. All you need to do is enroll in a simple sailing school and purchase or rent a nice sailboat, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the freedom and tranquillity that sailing provides.
We’ll demonstrate why sailing should not be a costly pastime in this article.
Is sailing or flying more affordable?
When traveling from North America to another continent, there are two primary means of transport available: flying or sailing on a ship. Both approaches will get you there, but they offer markedly different advantages and disadvantages. Consider how sailing ships have traversed oceans for hundreds of years, whereas aircraft have only been used to transport people for decades.
Time Required for Travel
The primary distinction between air and sea travel is the length of time required to reach your destination. The majority of trips last just a few hours, and only the longest journeys, which often include layovers, exceed one day. By contrast, ship travel usually takes several days to reach an international location. A flight from New York City to London takes about 11 to 12 hours. On the other hand, transatlantic freighters and cruise ships take an average of four to five days, not counting port calls.
Cost
Commercial aviation is considerably more affordable than commercial maritime transport. In most instances, you can travel from New York to London for less than $1,000, while a cruise may cost up to three times that much. On the other hand, if you are not in a rush to reach your goal and possess ship-shape abilities, you may be able to join on as a hand and travel for free. Without substantial training time, airlines lack such an option.
If you’re searching for a more affordable maritime option, several freighter companies provide a limited number of berths for a small number of passengers on each trip. The lodgings are simple yet pleasant, and the daily rate may be as low as less than 100 euros. The price in US dollars changes according to the currency rate.
Safety
Both flying and sailing are very safe modes of international travel. In 2010, there was an average of one accident per 1.6 million flights globally in 2010. On the other hand, cruise ship accidents are more difficult to count. Not all countries are obliged to submit their accident statistics to regulatory bodies. According to the International Maritime Organization, over 1,600 cruise ship deaths occurred in 2010, although even that figure is uncertain.
One thing to keep in mind is that there is very little you can do after being involved in an aircraft crash. If your cruise ship sinks, following safety precautions substantially increases your chances of survival. Accidents can occur, but even in the case of the Costa Concordia’s foundering, the overwhelming majority of the ship’s passengers landed safely.
Justifications for Use
People travel for a variety of reasons, but most fly for one: to reach their destination as quickly as possible. While some passengers love flying, it is a rare customer that gets an airline ticket just for the pleasure of flying. Flying is presently the quickest form of public transportation accessible. Those that travel by cruise ship make the trip an integral component of their holiday, whether it is the whole vacation or only a portion of it.
Cruise ships are huge, floating hotels equipped with all of the facilities found on land, including casinos, nightclubs, bars, numerous restaurants, and entertainment available 24 hours a day. If a flight is a means to a goal, a cruise is often the destination in and of itself. Even going by freighter is an experience in and of itself, since it may take much longer depending on the ports of call.
Amenities
Coach-class airline customers get the most basic travel experience imaginable. They may be given a little snack, such as a tiny bag of pretzels, and a small glass of soda or water, and are often offered a small sandwich box for purchase on longer flights. While first-class passengers get complimentary beverages and meals, they are seldom much more comfortable than their coach counterparts on many carriers.
While some airlines provide convertible seats, seats that convert into tiny cabins, and other upscale features, they are the exception rather than the norm. Except for essential restroom breaks and brief strolls down the aisle, airline passengers are asked to remain seated with their seat belts secured. On the other hand, cruise guests get the best of everything. Food is served several times a day in a variety of locations. Ships provide a variety of activities, from day excursions to exotic ports to literary readings. Cruise guests enjoy a comfortable bed, enough space for movement, customized fitness and other courses, and all the other amenities associated with a luxury hotel.
Which mode of transport is preferable: boat or plane?
When you do need to travel, the aircraft is the most efficient and cost-effective choice. For example, the Queen Mary 2 achieves about 20 miles per gallon per passenger while cruising at maximum speed. In contrast, the Airbus 380 achieves 74 miles/gallon/ passenger, while the Boeing 737 Max8 achieves 110 miles per gallon per passenger. Traveling by ship is also much more expensive than flying, but you may save some money with a repositioning ticket. In general, air efficiency is dependent on a variety of factors, including the route taken.
Other considerations include sewage treatment, air pollution, and food waste while choosing whether to travel on a cruise liner. Seek out cruise lines that are transparent and proactive in their efforts to clean up their act. In 2016, Friends of the Earth published a report card on cruise lines.
Why do people choose cruises over flying?
Numerous individuals choose to cruise in order to avoid flying. Apart from being the favored mode of transport for nervous fliers, cruises alleviate most of the stress associated with vacation preparation.
Gary Bembridge, the man behind travel blog Tips for Travellers, began with an audio podcast and a YouTube channel (which has accumulated over 68 million views) before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to chronicle his cruise adventures. “I was working in a global marketing role and traveling around the globe on a weekly basis, and I began sharing ideas and recommendations about the locations I was visiting based on my experiences and learning,” he said. “At the same time, I found cruising and began sharing my experiences.”What is the objective? “To assist travelers, mostly those over the age of 40, in making the most of their limited travel time and money on land and sea.”
Gary has taken over 70 cruise vacations since founding Tips for Travelers (mostly ocean cruises but an increasing number of river cruises). “These involve two lengthy periods of various globe cruises, as well as trips to isolated locations such as the Arctic,” he said.
With his extensive traveling expertise, we wanted to gauge Gary’s thoughts on cruising vs. flying. He said, “Traveling has become very stressful since the tight security needed to accommodate the massive increase in the number of people flying has resulted in airports being congested and a tremendous nuisance.” Airports are often operating at or near capacity, resulting in frequent delays. Cruising saves time and is less stressful since you will be dining, watching shows, drinking with friends, and resting in luxury while the ship transports you to your next location. It is a more effective and pleasurable way to spend your time. “
While airlines have made significant advancements in designing aircraft to incorporate on-demand movies, high-quality in-flight meals, and even beds, many of these amenities are really only available in business or first class. On cruise ships, however, all passengers have access to an enormous variety of entertainment.
While cruise nights often include Vegas-style entertainment, West End musicals, comedy, and a variety of live music and dance, ships often have designated youth sections with kid-and family-friendly programming to keep everyone happy, from tots to teenagers. A comparable package on a land-based flying vacation would be much more expensive.
Dave reaffirmed this point: “Cruising is a very different experience than flying.” Nobody boards a plane simply to appreciate the aircraft’s amenities; it is a means of transportation. With a cruise, the ship is an integral element of the vacation experience. Nowadays, some cruise ships have so many enticing amenities onboard that guests sometimes choose to remain on board rather than disembark at each destination. As a result, it is essential to choose the appropriate cruise ship; otherwise, your vacation pleasure may be ruined. “
Is flying or sailing safer?
In 2016, the cruise sector is expected to transport about 23 million people, and they are statistically safer than on commercial airplanes, which are generally regarded as a secure mode of travel.
According to Daspit Law Firm data, cruise ships have the lowest fatality rate per billion passenger miles at 0.08. When compared to 11.9 for rail travel, 3.3 for automobiles and trucks, and 0.8 for commercial aviation, marine travel is a comparatively safe endeavor.
Naturally, like in any other place, accidents can occur, as do fatalities and injuries aboard, and the statistics are mostly relative. Daspit Law Firm has produced a list of where, when, and how individuals were killed or wounded on North American cruise lines, in part using data from The Marine Casualty and Pollution Data files.
Between 2002 and 2013, 356 people were murdered aboard cruise ships, while 1,060 were injured. The 32 fatalities onboard the Costa Concordia, which sunk in 2012 as a result of an exceedingly unusual navigational error, are included in the figures. Numerous additional safety measures have been implemented industry-wide in the aftermath of the tragedy to make cruising even safer in the future.
Carnival Cruise Line has a market share of 29.5 percent, Royal Caribbean International has a market share of 23.1%, and Norwegian Cruise Line has a market share of 14.5 percent, according to the study. As the three largest cruise lines, it’s unsurprising that the number of fatalities aboard-both crew and guests – has increased in lockstep, with 122 on Carnival, 68 on Royal Caribbean, and 63 on Norwegian.
In terms of injuries, Princess Cruises was responsible for 49% of all recorded injuries, totaling 522. Norwegian Cruise Line came in second place with 213 injuries, followed by Carnival Cruise Line with 181. However, almost half (214) of the Princess’ injuries were caused by the Crown Princess’ violent listing in 2006, which was caused by human error on the part of a crew member, another very uncommon event that resulted in zero fatalities.
Indeed, the most often seen injuries on cruise ships are falls (596) and events involving pre-existing medical problems (300). It’s a good reminder that, regardless of how safe sailing is, you should always be aware of your surroundings and grasp onto handrails as recommended by the ship’s staff.
Visit the official website of Daspit Law Firm for a ship-by-ship analysis of fatalities and injuries. The basic line is that everyone knows flying is safer than driving, and it just so happens that cruising is even safer than flying.
Conclusion
Sailing, in a nutshell, does not have to be an expensive pastime. While reading a book and watching YouTube videos may help you learn to sail, we always suggest taking sailing lessons to improve your skills. If you can not afford to own a boat, you may rent one. If you wish to buy a boat, you may start modest and keep expenses low before upgrading to a larger, more comfortable vessel.
Additionally, you may discover a large number of individuals ready to share the expenses of sailing, which might be a fantastic place to start. On the contrary, if you love sailing as a pastime, you should not attempt to justify the expense. You can spend what you can afford and yet enjoy it.
Overall, sailing is an enthralling but difficult activity; thus, you should pursue it and have fun!
