BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey everyone,

I have a serious dilemma that I'm facing. Basically, I've always had a fear of flying, and actually it's worse than most people. This fear has only intensified and turned into anxiety over the last year and a half or so. In the past, I did a fear of flying help course, and I have also tried other things such as being prescribed Valium to help overcome the anxiety of the flight. Neither of these things really have helped much. My fear of flying is so bad that even when I think about the 20 hour flight back to the U.S from China (where I currently am), I start to feel a lot of anxiety. I know it's an "irrational fear", but it's definitely something very real for me, and it's only gotten worse over the last year since I've been back in Asia. I mean this problem is really bad. To be honest, at this point, I don't think I can really overcome this fear. I just feel kind of "stuck" here. I don't know what to do. That's why I'm very interested traveling by water back to the U.S (instead of flying). I have no fears associated with boats, trains, buses, motorcycles or any other form or transportation... only flying. In fact, I don't have many fears at all... this fear of flying seems to be my major one.

Now here the tricky part... I'm currently in China. I came over here from the U.S in April, 2006. I've been working and volunteering for the last year+. I want to go back to the U.S in August or September, but if possible, I really don't want to have to fly. I know that taking a boat would be a very long trip. I also realize that my whole request seems pretty bizarre. Maybe such a ferry service does not even exist any more? I don't know. That's why I'm asking here.

Can someone please tell me:

Is there any way to take a boat or ship as a passenger from either China, Korea, Taiwan, or Japan back to the U.S?. I live in Portland, Oregon, though as long as I get to the U.S I'll be happy.

I know some people will be tempted to do jokes like "y not stowaway on a shiping boat haha". But I'm seriously looking for viable option to be able to go back to the U.S aboard a boat as a passenger - Not a stowaway or anything like that.

Another idea I have...
I have one friend who once went down to the docks in San Diego, and ended up finding a guy with a yacht who invited him to go along to Hawaii. Are these sorts of things common? Is there any serious chance that I could be able to find a small boat departing from China and going to the U.S? Mind you, this is just a back-up thought. Mainly, I'd just like to find a big boat to take across the Pacific back home.

If anyone has some information or experience that may be helpful please post it here. I've already tried searching Google. I figure this sort of transportation would be difficult to find out anyways.

Finally, if there is a passenger ship traveling between China and the U.S, where would it most likely leave from? Shanghai? Dalian? Hong Kong?
I'm currently in Guangzhou.

You could try something this this, and see if they'll let you join half way...

Or if you have time, catch trains or in some other go overland as far as England/France part of the world, then join a transatlantic cruise. Both suggestions would be stupidly expensive though, and the second quite time consuming.

Have you tried asking a travel agent in China? They might know of similar cruises that start in China.

Good luck!

It'll probably be tough. Of course, with enough money I'd say anything is possible. Ickis is probably right that it'd almost be easier to head the other direction and make your way to Europe and try from there, but you'd have to start now to make it by August or September.

I don't know of many trans-Pacific cruises, but they may exist...again they're be expensive. Finding some individual who'll let you tag along is probably a long shot. The most frequent crossers will be the cargo ships, but that'll take some money and smooth talking, but it may be doable. It'll be an adventure to be sure. I'd find someone who speaks Chinese pretty well (if you don't) and head to the docks and start asking around.

Sounds like freighter travel may be your best/only option. Travel on the big boats certainly takes longer and is more expensive (between $1,200-$3,000 depending on the length of trip) but they will get you home minus the nervous breakdown. Good luck and safe travels....

You can get a job as a Cook!
You may want to check out the Russian ships!
Also if you are in Thailand you maybe be able to find a yacht at Pataya.

Another one to contct

http://www.travltips.com/freighterdirectory.html

You Should also perhaps try - Private Jet Travel

You get extra points for picking up the ball after one year.

i think udda is on to something with the freighter travel. from my research on this way of travel, you can go from shanghai to osaka, japan, and if necessary travel by rail in japan to tokyo. from tokyo, if not osaka, you should be able to catch another freighter to either san francisco or los angeles. totally possible! the only drawbacks would be the expense($1000+?) and trying to get a spot on one of the freighters, as they do recommend making reservations in advance since the cabin spaces are so limited. good luck! ps, i have uncovered some notes about this. have a look at Hanjin and Senator Lines between the states and japan, and it looks like there is a ferry between china and japan called Shanghai Ferry.

Okay, now I'm dying to to know how this story ended - assuming it actually did...

hey you're right! so who gets extra points for picking a thread a year old? danlew? i want a few since i responded too. and how did it end - it was the op's only post huh? well, this topic struck a nerve because i'd like to go around the world via freighter and rail and that is the info i found. hope it helps somebody!

I would love to do my trip with a freighter crossing. The cost seems high, but I think many ignore some of the benefits.

Cost includes your room and board. You have some interaction with the crew, which would be interesting and the uniqueness of the experience.

Besides, I like the whole aspect of not losing luggage.

I have a friend who sometimes flies to American and sails boats back to Australia for delivery. There is a big shipbuilding industry now in southern China but I assume the boats get freighted to the US instead of sailed but maybe Hong Kong would be the place to look. There must be luxry yachts being relocated seaonally or at the owners whim, who need crew.
I too would like to hear how the story unfolded.