Short Cut

ABOVE BOARD In the slowpoke, Somerset Maugham-era before long-haul flights became commonplace, travel in what was then known as the Far East was only possible by commercial ships. Today there are about half a dozen freight lines operating in Asia that accept paying passengers, which charge $70-$130 per day per person. Voyages range in duration from a 10-day short hop to an epic 114 days (the latter being Houston to Houston on the Egon Oldendorff line, via the Suez Canal, with Jakarta the easternmost port). All the lines have age limits for passengers,...