{"id":100030,"date":"2026-10-26T08:04:34","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T08:04:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/?p=100030"},"modified":"2026-10-26T08:04:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T08:04:35","slug":"inside-a-cargo-ship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/inside-a-cargo-ship","title":{"rendered":"Inside a Cargo Ship: A Deck-by-Deck Tour of a Container Ship"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"chb-post\">\n\n<p class=\"chb-updated\">Last updated: 26 October 2026 &middot; By Steve Joury, cargo trip advisor at CargoHolidays<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"chb-lede\"><strong>Inside a cargo ship, most of the space is cargo hold; the people live and work in a tall accommodation block with cabins, mess rooms, a galley and, at the top, the bridge.<\/strong> Deep below is the engine room. Here&rsquo;s a deck-by-deck tour of a typical container ship &ndash; the kind freighter passengers sail on.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"chb-cta-bar\">\n<a class=\"chb-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/anfrage-fur-eine-frachtschiffreise\/\">Find my voyage &rarr;<\/a>\n<a class=\"chb-btn chb-btn--ghost\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/passagierkabinen-auf-frachtschiffen-fur-langsam-reisen\/\">Passenger cabins<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"chb-keyfacts\">\n<p class=\"chb-keyfacts-title\">Key facts at a glance<\/p>\n<ul><li>\u00dcber <strong>90% of a container ship&rsquo;s volume<\/strong> is cargo space.<\/li><li>The crew live in an <strong>accommodation block<\/strong> (the &lsquo;house&rsquo;) several decks high.<\/li><li>Die <strong>bridge<\/strong> sits at the top for a clear view over the containers.<\/li><li>Die <strong>engine room<\/strong> is low down near the stern.<\/li><li>Passenger cabins are usually in the accommodation block, near the officers.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<nav class=\"chb-toc\" aria-label=\"Contents\">\n<p class=\"chb-toc-title\">In this guide<\/p>\n<ol><li><a href=\"#the-cargo-holds\">The cargo holds<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-accommodation-block-deck-by-deck\">The accommodation block, deck by deck<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-bridge\">The bridge<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-engine-room\">The engine room<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#cabins-mess-rooms-and-the-galley\">Cabins, mess rooms and the galley<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-forecastle-and-steering-gear\">The forecastle and steering gear<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq\">H\u00e4ufig gestellte Fragen<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n\n<h2 id=\"the-cargo-holds\">The cargo holds<\/h2>\n<p>Step <strong>inside a cargo ship<\/strong> and the first thing you notice is how little of it is for people. The hull is divided into huge holds, each fitted with vertical steel guides (cell guides) that hold containers in stacks. Hatch covers close the holds and more containers stack on top. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/how-container-ships-are-loaded\/\">how container ships are loaded<\/a> to see how it all fits.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"chb-figure\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cargo-Ship-Travel-Cargoholidays12-1024x706.jpg\" alt=\"Inside a cargo ship &ndash; container ship showing holds and accommodation block\" title=\"Inside a cargo ship &ndash; container ship showing holds and accommodation block\" width=\"1024\" height=\"706\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><figcaption>Most of a container ship is cargo space; people live in the accommodation block.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-accommodation-block-deck-by-deck\">The accommodation block, deck by deck<\/h2>\n<table><thead><tr><th>Level<\/th><th>What you&rsquo;ll find<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody>\n<tr><td>Main deck<\/td><td>Ship&rsquo;s office, stores, changing rooms, gangway access<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Lower accommodation decks<\/td><td>Galley, crew mess and officers&rsquo; mess, laundry, gym<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Middle decks<\/td><td>Crew cabins, recreation room, sometimes a sauna or small pool<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Upper decks<\/td><td>Officers&rsquo; cabins, passenger cabins, captain&rsquo;s and chief engineer&rsquo;s suites<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Navigation deck<\/td><td>The bridge, chart area and radio station<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n<p>On large modern ships the accommodation block may sit further forward rather than right at the stern, which gives the bridge a better view over the stacks.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-bridge\">The bridge<\/h2>\n<p>The bridge stretches the full width of the ship, with bridge wings on each side for berthing. Inside you&rsquo;ll find radar screens, electronic chart displays, the autopilot, radios and the engine controls. One officer and a lookout keep watch around the clock. Passengers are usually welcome to visit when the captain allows. Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/how-do-cargo-ships-navigate\/\">how cargo ships navigate<\/a> explains the equipment.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"chb-figure\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/inside-a-cargo-ship-infographic-cargoholidays.jpg\" alt=\"Inside a cargo ship infographic &ndash; ship layout\" title=\"Inside a cargo ship infographic &ndash; ship layout\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><figcaption>The layout of a container ship at a glance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-engine-room\">The engine room<\/h2>\n<p>Deep in the stern, the engine room houses the main engine &ndash; a slow-speed diesel the size of a building on the largest ships &ndash; plus generators, boilers, pumps and the engine control room. It&rsquo;s hot, loud and fascinating. Ask the chief engineer for a tour with ear protection. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/cargo-ship-engine\/\">how big is a cargo ship engine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"cabins-mess-rooms-and-the-galley\">Cabins, mess rooms and the galley<\/h2>\n<p>Crew cabins are simple and functional; officers&rsquo; cabins are larger with a separate desk area. Passenger cabins are often surprisingly spacious, with a private bathroom and windows looking forward or to the side. The galley feeds everyone, and meals are served in the mess rooms. See <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/passagierkabinen-auf-frachtschiffen-fur-langsam-reisen\/\">Passagierkabinen auf Frachtschiffen<\/a> und <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-cargo-ship-traveler\/\">a day in the life of a cargo ship traveller<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-forecastle-and-steering-gear\">The forecastle and steering gear<\/h2>\n<p>At the bow, the forecastle holds the anchors, windlasses and mooring winches &ndash; see <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/how-do-ship-anchors-work\/\">how ship anchors work<\/a>. At the stern, the steering gear room moves the huge rudder. Both are off-limits to passengers unless escorted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"chb-tip\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> The best way to see inside a cargo ship is to sail on one. Most passengers get a guided tour of the bridge and engine room during the voyage.<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"chb-related\" aria-label=\"Verwandte Anleitungen\">\n<h2 id=\"related-guides\">Related cargo ship travel guides<\/h2>\n<div class=\"chb-grid\"><a class=\"chb-card\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/how-big-is-a-container-ship\/\"><span class=\"chb-card-kicker\">Ships<\/span><span class=\"chb-card-title\">How big is a container ship?<\/span><span class=\"chb-card-more\">Read guide &rarr;<\/span><\/a><a class=\"chb-card\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/aufgaben-der-besatzung-auf-einem-frachtschiff\/\"><span class=\"chb-card-kicker\">Crew<\/span><span class=\"chb-card-title\">Cargo ship crew roles<\/span><span class=\"chb-card-more\">Read guide &rarr;<\/span><\/a><a class=\"chb-card\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/passagierkabinen-auf-frachtschiffen-fur-langsam-reisen\/\"><span class=\"chb-card-kicker\">Cabins<\/span><span class=\"chb-card-title\">Passenger cabins on freighters<\/span><span class=\"chb-card-more\">Read guide &rarr;<\/span><\/a><a class=\"chb-card\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/cargo-ship-engine\/\"><span class=\"chb-card-kicker\">Ships<\/span><span class=\"chb-card-title\">How big is a cargo ship engine?<\/span><span class=\"chb-card-more\">Read guide &rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<h2 id=\"faq\">H\u00e4ufig gestellte Fragen<\/h2>\n<div class=\"chb-faq\">\n<h3>What is inside a cargo ship?<\/h3>\n<p>Mostly cargo holds. The crew live in an accommodation block with cabins, mess rooms, a galley and the bridge on top; the engine room is low in the stern.<\/p><h3>Where do the crew sleep on a cargo ship?<\/h3>\n<p>In private cabins in the accommodation block.<\/p><h3>Can passengers visit the bridge?<\/h3>\n<p>Usually yes, with the captain&rsquo;s permission.<\/p><h3>Do cargo ships have a gym or pool?<\/h3>\n<p>Many have a small gym; some have a sauna or a small swimming pool.<\/p><h3>How many decks does a cargo ship have?<\/h3>\n<p>The accommodation block on a large container ship often has seven to ten decks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"chb-booking\">\n<p class=\"chb-booking-title\">See inside a cargo ship for real<\/p>\n<p>Sail as a passenger and tour the bridge and engine room with the crew.<\/p>\n<a class=\"chb-btn chb-btn--big\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/anfrage-fur-eine-frachtschiffreise\/\">Find my voyage &rarr;<\/a>\n<p class=\"chb-booking-small\">Free, no-obligation quote &middot; Reply within 48 hours &middot; <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/frag-den-kapitan\/\">Fragen Sie den Kapit\u00e4n<\/a> &middot; <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wie-zu-gehen-fur-fracht-kreuzfahrt\/\">How booking works<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What is inside a cargo ship?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Mostly cargo holds. 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Deep below is the engine room. Here&rsquo;s a [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99980,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1030],"tags":[1766,1719,1767],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100030"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100030"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100031,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100030\/revisions\/100031"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100030"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=100030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}