Korean Job Discussion Forums

[420trader]

I was originally looking for Korea to USA, but broadened it to Asia to North America.

I don't want to fly back to NY this time. I figured it'll be fun to cruise through different ports in Asia and arrive anywhere on the Western coast (preferably California if possible) and train it to New York (via Chicago, I think).

I did some quick searches a few weeks ago and came across some cargo ships that let a few passengers on board, but I recently found out that there are a few cruises available also. I found one that starts at Kobe, Japan and passes through Busan, Russia, Alaska and then ends in Vancouver. I'm not sure how I'll make it to New York from Vancouver but I'm still searching for different cruises.

If you guys know any that go to California or somewhere in the US so I can get to NY, let me know.

Thanks in advance.

[ThingsComeAround]

I heard of one leaving Thailand and ending up in LA. Eleven grand.

Can't find the link but it was discussed here a few times.

[420trader]

[ThingsComeAround]

I made a comment on a thread here a while back (two years at least?) and that was the price quoted for a place on the barge. If I were you, I'd take the Kobe-VanCity boat.

By the way, could you post a link for that?

[420trader]

Yeah, eleven grand is way too expensive.

I know Holland America Cruises do the Kobe - Vancouver cruise, I'm not sure of others but I'm still searching (trying to leave late August or early September). Here's the Holland America Cruise - this is the cheapest I found so far, on the Holland site the cheapest is 2000USD:

http://cruises.affordabletours.com/search/itsd/cruises/22433110502/


http://www.alaskacruiseexperts.com/displayproduct.asp?id=1933

Those are the first two I found when I typed Kobe- Vancouver cruise. Here is a link to the Holland America Cruise site:

*edit - I found three:

17 day - http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?destCode=O&portCode=UKB&shipCodeSearch=&durationCode=&dateCode=&flexibleMonths=false&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=V319&webItineraryIdForAudit=ONW317

22 day - http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?destCode=O&portCode=UKB&shipCodeSearch=&durationCode=&dateCode=&flexibleMonths=false&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=X221&webItineraryIdForAudit=ONW222

31 day - http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?destCode=O&portCode=UKB&shipCodeSearch=&durationCode=&dateCode=&flexibleMonths=false&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=V316A&webItineraryIdForAudit=O3AW31

I'm still searching for cruises but so far the best I've come up with is Kobe to Vancouver. I'm trying to figure out if I can board when that cruise stops at the Busan port of call. I'm not sure if I HAVE to board at Kobe or if I can just hop on at Busan. Busan would be easier for me and save me money.

*edit: ugh, one thing I realized is that cruises dates suck. I'm having a tough time finding any for the next few months. They're all like March, April of 2012.

[420trader]

I've found out there's a Beijing - Vancouver, Vancouver - Beijing cruise by Diamond Princess. Beijing is a short flight from here (I personally hate flying even though I fly almost 40 times a year, one of the reasons I actually got into looking for a boat ride).

Unfortunately, in September there is only a Vancouver - Beijing cruise.

http://www.cruising2alaska.com/itineraries/pcl_a3.php

I'll keep looking. I'm going to talk with a travel agent since I'd assume they'd know more about this than I can from a google search.

[420trader]

It's been difficult trying to find a cruise from Asia to North America this year, let alone within a few months. I saw someone post on another forum that they took a train from China or Russia all the way to England or some part of Western Europe and took a trans-atlantic cruise from there. I'm seriously contemplating that. Boat it to Beijing and take the train across Europe and stop in Amsterdam for like a week. This seems like a good idea to me since I'll be able to go to Amsterdam. There are also a lot more trans-Atlantic cruises than there are trans-pacific.

Anyone have do something like this?

[ThingsComeAround]

Ha- funny enough I have

My bud and I both saved up like 6K (didn't need it all, most was spent on flight(s) out of Europe) and we took the Trans-Mongolian plus a slow boat from Incheon to Tianjin. The boat was something like $110/140 and transport to Beijing + lodging there was another $200 PM me for more details.

[420trader]

Sent a PM. Thanks again!

[420trader]

Ah, I don't think there are any cruises from here to North America any time this year.

I'm contemplating between training it through Europe or taking a container cargo ship across the Pacific.

In other news, I'm heading out to Deok Jeok Do tomorrow morning!!! Excited.

[sheilaamerica]

I was going to suggest a container ship for you. I read about it in a book; it reminds me of what you're planning to do: http://www.amazon.com/Grounded-Earth-Journey-Around-World/dp/1594484422

[Triban]

How long do these cruises last? Would be pretty epic.

[northway]

Those container ships sound like seasick city, considering they lack stabilizers.