The State of Michigan is divided into two peninsulas which are separated by a body of water known as the Straits of Mackinac. The only connection between these two peninsulas is the Mackinac Bridge, which is a massive suspension bridge built of steel and cement.

The Mackinac bridge was constructed in 1957. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, and it is still the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere that uses only 2 towers. At about 7400 feet, the bridge is the 3rd longest in the United States and the 12th in the World.

Prior to the construction of the bridge, a drive from Michigan’s lower peninsula to the Upper peninsula required a trip on a car ferry since there is no natural land connection. As many as 9000 cars made the daily trip across the straits on State sponsored ferries. There were often long lines of cars waiting to board the ferries and sometimes just getting a passage could take all day. It became obvious that a different solution was needed, and the State turned to the idea of building a bridge.

Once the bridge was completed, the car ferries that ran across the straits quickly went out of business. Today, there are several ferries that operate between the mainland and Mackinac Island, but none that carry cars across the straits. Great Lakes Cruise ships regularly pass through the Straits of Mackinac and beneath this behemoth bridge. It is just one of the magnificent things you can see on a Great Lakes Cruise.

The bridge is capable of withstanding the very high winds that blow through the straits (up to 150 mph), but traffic on the bridge is sometimes not. Today’s small, lightweight automobiles are sometimes blown around on the bridge by high winds. After one fatal accident, it has become common practice when high winds blow to pair small cars with larger vehicles as they cross the bridge. That way, the smaller vehicles are given wind protection to help them across. There is also a driver’s assistance program available so those drivers who are uncomfortable making the crossing on their own can have someone else drive their vehicle across the bridge.

William G. Oatiz is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an expert on Great Lakes cruises and vacations. Great Lakes cruises offer an opportunity unrivaled by any other other cruise tour. Sail the freshwater seas that lie between the U.S. and Canada. Enjoy a vacation unlike any other. For more information, please visit the blog at Great Lakes cruises or http://www.greatlakescruiseguide.com.

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Let’s say you’re interested in going on an ocean cruise, but the idea of traveling on a large luxury liner simply does not appeal to you. In that case, you might want to try an alternative type of cruise vacation. One kind of alternative cruise that has recently been gaining in popularity is the freighter cruise. On such a cruise, you will travel on board a cargo ship. This is a commercial vessel that is in the process of delivering cargo from one port to the next.

What can you expect from such a cruise? Does it sound to you like it would be uncomfortable to travel on a freighter? In fact, you should not worry about that. You may be traveling on a commercial freighter, but you will also enjoy the kind of deluxe accommodations that are generally provided to the ship’s officers. Your quarters may even be better than what you would get on a typical ocean cruise. Often you will be allotted a spacious cabin high up in the ship, fitted with a big viewing window instead of a tiny porthole. At dinnertime, you will often have the privilege of dining with the captain and other ship’s officers.

What is there to do on board a freighter cruise? If this is a major concern for you, then you may not be the type of person who would like going on a freighter cruise. A commercial vessel will not have the casinos and other entertainment options available on a traditional ocean cruise. A freighter cruise allows you to really get away from it all, and it will be up to you to figure out what to do with all the time you have on board. It is a good time for you to experience complete relaxation with almost no distractions, except perhaps those you bring with you, such as books or video games.

Most freighter cruises only to accommodate a few passengers, usually no more than 12. You are sure to get to know your fellow passengers very well, especially since freighter cruises usefully take about a month at least. The commercial ship will base its schedule on the requirements of its cargo deliveries, and as a passenger you will have to live by what ever schedule the ship follows. This may require some flexibility on your part. And of course, you should be able to get away from your regular life for as long as a month if you are to go on a freighter cruise.

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Is the noise, the traffic, the stress of everyday living getting to you? Ever wish you could just get away from it all and forget the economy, the boss, the daily upheavals for a little while? Ever dream about long, sunny afternoons sailing the high seas? Is your idea of a dream vacation a time of solitude, laid-back laziness, and a no-frills, no-nonsense atmosphere?

If you answered, “yes, yes, Yes, YES!” to the questions above, then perhaps a freighter cruise is just the relief you need from your overstressed, overdressed lifestyle. And with a freighter cruise, you can get away from it all while getting somewhere. A freighter cruise would not break the bank, either. But you need to be prepared for a bit more adventure than your average cruise.

Freighter cruises are not fancy. They are not jam packed with activities, or people. Freighters offer you a cabin, meals, a chance to get to know the crew, a lounge or recreation room, visits to various ports of call, and lots of time to just relax and unwind. Freighter cruises can be as short as a week or two, or as long as 18 weeks around the world sailing. Your choices for freighter cruises, destinations, durations and costs are nearly unlimited. With most cruises costing between $90 and $120 per night, they have got the cruise lines beat hands down on prices. In short, there is a freighter cruise for everyone.

Freighter ships cabins can range from bunk-bed-berths-share-the-bath dormitory type rooms to suites that accommodate with a queen-sized bed, refrigerator, bath with tub and large windows rather than portholes. Most freighter cabins are in the “standard” range – meaning they are about the equivalent of the lower-class cabins available on cruise liners. Some freighters cabins were initially designed for the company “big wigs,” and can be quite posh. One thing about your cabin – you may find that cabins on lower levels of the superstructure have their portholes blocked by the freight containers being carried by the ship. Just remember, the ships purpose is to carry the goods – you are just along for the ride.

Depending on the ship and the freight company, you may or not have a steward to care for your room. So, be prepared to make your own bed, set out your trash bin and, in general, tidy up after yourself. Unlike cruise lines, most freighter cruises do not penalize the single traveler for occupying a double cabin. In fact, some have gone out of their way to encourage the single traveler in joining them.

Freighter cruise cuisine can vary greatly, too, from ship to ship and company to company. Dining aboard a freighter is informal, so you have no need to pack a suit and tie or fancy dress. There is one and only one dining room aboard a freighter. Meals are generally served at fixed times, in one to two hour windows. Many freighters open the pantry or galley 24/7 for self-serve snacks or refreshment, but you may want to pack some of your favorites, or purchase them in port, just in case there is nothing to your liking. Your cook will be the crews cook, and the cuisine served will be what the crew eats. So, if your freighter is of German registry be prepared to eat German dishes.

On the other hand, if your crew is of mixed nationality, say Filipino, German, French and Scandinavian, you may just be in for a culinary adventure, as the galley tries to satisfy the varied palates. Eating in the same dining room with the crew can pose some adventures of its own, too. While English is the international language of the sea, your formerly East German captain may be more at ease with Russian, while his French First Mate ends up translating everything the Filipino Engineer adds to the dinner conversation. Some things freighters do not normally offer – endless buffets, special meals (vegetarian, diabetic, etc.) or gourmet haute cuisine.

Freighter cruises do not provide much, if any, formal, organized entertainment. There will most certainly be a lounge or recreation room, shared by crew and passenger alike, to provide a place for watching DVDs or videos, playing cards or board games, and a shipboard library of well-read paperbacks. You will definitely want to take along your own entertainment and reading material, though, as your viewing and reading choices may be as multi-linguistic as the dining room. A short wave radio might be a good idea, as AM/FM types do not receive any signals offshore. There is no internet or mobile phone connection either. Some freighter cruises do have a swimming pool, most are indoors but some can be found on deck. Some offer an exercise room, too.

Many passengers spend their time in walks around the deck, or lounging about in a deck chair, catching a few rays. There are long afternoons for napping, chatting, reading or writing. (Did you know Alex Haley wrote much of his groundbreaking bestseller “Roots” while serving aboard a freighter?) Some ships engineers offer tours of their engine room, while bridge visits with the captain or first officer are welcomed by some crews. In short, your shipboard entertainment varies widely from freighter to freighter. What you would not find on a freighter cruise are days crammed with organized nonstop activities, BINGO, casinos, Vegas style shows and trips to the spa.

Port visits with a freighter cruise can be adventures in their own right. First, while commercial cruises run on tight schedules, freighters do not. So that might mean your scheduled stop in port at 8am may not happen until 8pm. Or not happen until next Tuesday, for that matter. Secondly, most cargo docks are well off the beaten path. Be prepared to spend a good bit on taxi or bus fare just to reach “civilization” and even more to get to any tourist-y type attractions. Third, time in port usually depends on the dockhands and port master.

You may end up not having enough time to even leave the ship, if the offloading/loading is completed sooner than originally thought. Lastly, some port visits may be cancelled while en route, depending on the cargo contracts with the freight company. An expected call may not occur at all if the shipping company does not have enough out-going cargo to warrant it.

Freighter cruising may not be for everyone. It is not a glamorous or glitzy way to travel. While it does have its benefits, from a lower price than most cruise lines to a chance to really get away from it all, its drawbacks may put off some who prefer a bit more pampering to a freighter cruises adventurous nature.

Freighter Cruises.com has something unique to offer. Incorporating Freighter Travel Club International and Freighter and Specialty Cruises, Maris offers a variety of voyages from coastal and island specialties to one-way ocean crossings and around the world cruise.

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Great Lakes Cruise ships are required to meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations for safety. The Coast Guard is the government agency that polices the waterways and oversees operations of commercial and civilian vessels on the Lakes. Ships of all sizes are required to have functional equipment and adequate lifesaving gear. In addition, the Coast Guard maintains a regular schedule of inspection for these vessels to make certain that the ships continue to meet the requirements.

While any cruise or other trip offers some risk, Great Lakes cruises provide protection from risks that you might run into on an ocean cruise. If you watched the movie Titanic and it left you with a nagging fear that your cruise ship might strike an iceberg, you can relax. There are no real icebergs in the Lakes and while these lakes do freeze over in the winter, cruise ships generally only run in months when the waters are open.

Another common fear for cruise passengers are hurricanes and this again is something that doesn’t happen in the Lakes region. While there are storms and they can occasionally be violent, they are nothing compared to a hurricane at sea. Great Lakes Cruise ships are also often in sight of shore, which tends to give you a great feeling of security.

We all know that sooner or later, there will be a successful pirate attack on a cruise ship. They have tried before and they will try again. When you plan your cruise, you need to consider the safety that the Lakes provide. There are no pirates on the Lakes.

Finally, many people ask “what if I get sick?” Again, Great Lakes Cruise ships are usually close to shore and there are many fine medical facilities in both the U.S. and Canada with state-of-the-art equipment and well trained staff that are accessible. Also, major cities like Toronto, Duluth, Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee are never far away.

William G. Oatiz is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an expert on Great Lakes cruises and vacations. Great Lakes cruises offer an opportunity unrivaled by any other other cruise tour. Sail the freshwater seas that lie between the U.S. and Canada. Enjoy a vacation unlike any other. For more information, please visit the blog at Great Lakes cruises http://www.greatlakescruiseguide.com

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