I speculate that the price is that high because they can afford to charge that much. A cargo ship can take only 12 passengers at most... and there seem to be a

I speculate that the price is that high because they can afford to charge that much. A cargo ship can take only 12 passengers at most... and there seem to be a few 1000s of people who are really into this kind of traveling. Suppy & demand is the most likely explanation for such high prices. For example, the following company charges $2,500 for a 20-day voyage from Long Beach to Shanghai: http://www.freighterworld.com/places/fareast.html#LaeiszCAX http://www.freighterworld.com/places/fareast.html#LaeiszCAX If the flight ticket is approx. $1,000 and 20 days of rent in LA are at least $500, then one is paying a $1,000 premium for the experience, which does not sound too much if one does it only once. Travel by cargo ship on a regular basis would be unaffordable, though.