Some passengers use a trans-Atlantic crossing or a segment of a longer itinerary as leisurely transportation from Point A to Point B, but most passengers book a freighter cruise for its full itinerary with durations from 2 weeks to 4 months. Informality reigns on freighters. Passengers are not required to dress for meals.
Men can leave their ties and ladies their cocktail attire at home.
Freighters do not offer any preplanned activities such as cruise ships do and mealtimes are the only daily structure. Before my first freighter cruise experience in 1980, I thought a freighter cruise might be boring and without enough activity. Most freighters offer a small exercise room, swimming pool and TV for viewing a selection of video movies. On most ships it is possible to walk completely around the main deck and this is always a popular exercise pastime for passengers. Just watch the ocean go by and experience the occasional dolphins, whales, fish and sea birds in your path.