In 1997 I sailed as AB on the Noble Star through SIU, it was a double tween decker with cranes and sticks. It was the best voyage of my life, plenty of time in port and a great crew. Not to mention the seamanship skills I learned, sluicing wires, rewireing crescent davits, etc. We sayed at least 3 days in a port, the c/m was great in that he scheduled you in port where you would get 24 hours off at least once while in port. Pay was lousy, but I got to see post communist poland, lithuania, Ivory Coast, Liberia, etc. If you can find a cargo ship, I say go for it!!!