{"id":99693,"date":"2026-10-22T17:13:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T17:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/shipping-lines-that-take-passengers"},"modified":"2026-10-22T20:02:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T20:02:31","slug":"shipping-lines-that-take-passengers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/shipping-lines-that-take-passengers","title":{"rendered":"Which Shipping Lines Take Passengers? Cargo Ships You Can Travel On (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"Which Shipping Lines Take Passengers? Cargo Ships You Can Travel On (2026)\",\n            \"description\": \"Which shipping lines take passengers on cargo ships in 2026? Container, ro-ro and supply ship options explained, plus routes, rules, costs and how to book.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/shipping-lines-that-take-passengers\",\n            \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/AdobeStock_416832706-1024x684.jpeg\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Do cargo ships take passengers?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes. Some container, ro-ro and supply ships carry up to 12 passengers in dedicated cabins.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Which shipping company takes passengers?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"It depends on the route and the ship. Availability changes, so agencies check which vessels with passenger cabins are sailing on your dates.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How many passengers can a cargo ship carry?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Usually up to 12. Carrying more would legally make it a passenger ship.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How much does it cost to travel on a cargo ship?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Usually around US$90&ndash;150 per person per day, meals included.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How do I book a cabin on a cargo ship?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Through a specialist agency like CargoHolidays, which matches your route and dates to ships that carry passengers.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>\n<\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">Last updated: 22 October 2026<\/p><p><strong>Not every cargo ship takes passengers, but more do than most people realise.<\/strong> Several shipping lines keep a handful of cabins on selected ships and sell them to travellers, often through specialist agencies like us. This guide explains which kinds of shipping lines take passengers, where they sail, and how to choose the right one.<\/p><h2>Why some cargo ships carry passengers<\/h2><p>Large merchant ships are built with spare cabins for supernumeraries: extra people such as owners&rsquo; representatives, trainees or technicians. Under international rules, a cargo ship can carry up to <strong>12 passengers<\/strong> without being classed as a passenger ship. Some lines sell these cabins to the public, which adds a small income and keeps a long tradition alive.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_416832706-1024x684.jpeg\" alt=\"Large container ship at sea\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Large container ship at sea\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Container ships on long-haul routes are the most common passenger freighters.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Types of passenger-carrying cargo ships<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Ship type<\/th><th>What it carries<\/th><th>Typical routes<\/th><th>Passenger experience<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Containerschiffe<\/td><td>Containers<\/td><td>Europe&ndash;Asia, Europe&ndash;Australia, transatlantic, round-the-world<\/td><td>Comfortable cabins, officers&rsquo; mess, short port stays<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ro-ro and con-ro ships<\/td><td>Cars, trucks and containers<\/td><td>Europe&ndash;West Africa, Europe&ndash;South America, Mediterranean, Baltic<\/td><td>Longer port calls; some have larger passenger areas<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Island supply ships<\/td><td>Mixed cargo and passengers<\/td><td>South Atlantic, Pacific islands<\/td><td>Remote destinations, irregular schedules<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Coastal cargo and mail ships<\/td><td>Cargo, post and passengers<\/td><td>Norway, the Hebrides, islands worldwide<\/td><td>More like small ferries<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><h2>Shipping lines and passenger cabins<\/h2><p>Which lines offer cabins changes over time, as ships are sold, routes are changed and crewing rules are updated. Recently, passenger berths have mostly been offered on:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Container lines<\/strong> with European, Asian and Australian services, especially on larger ships with spare accommodation<\/li><li><strong>Ro-ro specialists<\/strong> on Europe&ndash;West Africa and Europe&ndash;South America routes, where some ships have a dedicated passenger deck<\/li><li><strong>Regional and island operators<\/strong> in Scandinavia, the Atlantic islands and the Pacific<\/li><\/ul><p>Because availability depends on individual ships and voyages, the most reliable way to find a cabin is to tell an agency your route and dates. We check which ships with passenger accommodation are sailing your way.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_306854990-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"Cars loading onto a ro-ro vessel\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Cars loading onto a ro-ro vessel\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Ro-ro ships, which carry cars and trucks, sometimes have extra passenger cabins.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Popular routes that take passengers<\/h2><ul><li><strong>Transatlantic:<\/strong> UK and northern Europe to the US east coast or Canada, about 9&ndash;14 days. See <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/boat-from-uk-to-usa\/\">boat from the UK to the USA<\/a>.<\/li><li><strong>UK to Australia:<\/strong> about 5&ndash;6 weeks via Suez. See <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/ship-from-england-to-australia\/\">ship from England to Australia<\/a>.<\/li><li><strong>Europe to Asia:<\/strong> about 4&ndash;6 weeks to Singapore and China.<\/li><li><strong>Europe to South America:<\/strong> about 3&ndash;6 weeks to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. See our <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/cargo-ship-to-south-america\/\">cargo ship to South America guide<\/a>.<\/li><li><strong>Short European loops:<\/strong> about 1&ndash;3 weeks around northern Europe or the Mediterranean.<\/li><\/ul><h2>Rules every line applies<\/h2><ul><li><strong>Age limits:<\/strong> commonly up to 75&ndash;85, with minimum ages for children<\/li><li><strong>Medical certificate:<\/strong> confirming you are fit to travel, because there is no doctor on board<\/li><li><strong>Travel insurance:<\/strong> must cover medical evacuation at sea and deviation<\/li><li><strong>Flexibility:<\/strong> departure dates can shift by days<\/li><\/ul><p>Read more in <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/is-freighter-travel-safe\/\">is freighter travel safe?<\/a> und <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/how-to-book-cargo-ship-travel\/\">how to book cargo ship travel<\/a>.<\/p><h2>What does it cost?<\/h2><p>Most lines charge per person per day, around <strong>US$90&ndash;150<\/strong>, including your cabin and three meals. Single supplements and larger &ldquo;owner&rsquo;s cabins&rdquo; cost more. Add the booking fee, insurance, port taxes where applicable, and travel to the departure port.<\/p><h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>Do cargo ships take passengers?<\/h3><p>Yes. Some container, ro-ro and supply ships carry up to 12 passengers in dedicated cabins.<\/p><h3>Which shipping company takes passengers?<\/h3><p>It depends on the route and the ship. Availability changes, so agencies check which vessels with passenger cabins are sailing on your dates.<\/p><h3>How many passengers can a cargo ship carry?<\/h3><p>Usually up to 12. Carrying more would legally make it a passenger ship.<\/p><h3>How much does it cost to travel on a cargo ship?<\/h3><p>Usually around US$90&ndash;150 per person per day, meals included.<\/p><h3>How do I book a cabin on a cargo ship?<\/h3><p>Through a specialist agency like CargoHolidays, which matches your route and dates to ships that carry passengers.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>Find a ship with a cabin for you<\/strong><p>Tell us where and when you want to sail and we&rsquo;ll check every suitable cargo ship.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/anfrage-fur-eine-frachtschiffreise\/\">Request your free voyage quote &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Which shipping lines take passengers on cargo ships in 2026? Container, ro-ro and supply ship options explained, plus routes, rules, costs and how to book.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99800,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[356,1027,357],"tags":[1556,1155,1555,1557,1554],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99693"}],"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=99693"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99693\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99724,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99693\/revisions\/99724"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99693"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=99693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}