Others
The Black Captain, in all his travels across the digital waters, has encountered many ports worth visiting. These are the harbors where wisdom dwells, where words carry weight, and where the soul finds nourishment that no rum can provide.
Recommended Harbors
Szeptam - w waszych snach...
The Captain's words: The Captain's most beloved cousin whispers dark philosophical truths into the void - tales that question the nature of guilt, dialogues with divinity over coffee, and surreal journeys through moral labyrinths where complicity and redemption dance their eternal waltz; a Polish storyteller who has been crafting these haunting narratives since 2004, accumulating sixty voyages into the depths of human consciousness, each one a mirror held up to the parts of ourselves we pretend don't exist.
What awaits there: A collection of dark fiction and philosophical dialogues in Polish, spanning nearly two decades of creative exploration. From psychological horror examining moral complicity ("Wina") to intimate conversations with God about free will and determinism ("U boga na kawie"), these stories probe existential questions with unflinching honesty. The author's distinctive voice blends surreal imagery with contemplative prose, creating narratives that disturb and enlighten in equal measure.
Language: Polish (Polski)
Active since: 2004
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DFDS - Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab
The Captain's words: Upon these great vessels that traverse the Baltic between Kiel and Klaipėda, where twenty hours dissolve into an eternity of sea-gazing from the open deck, of amber liquids savored in bars with breath-taking views, and of dreams conjured in commodious cabins as the ship rocks gently through the night — it was here, upon the decks of DFDS, that the Black Captain first felt the stirrings of these tales in his soul; for what better muse exists than a company that has connected nations since 1866, whose ships bear names like Regina Seaways and Aura Seaways, and whose Mare Balticum restaurant serves sustenance for both body and imagination whilst the endless grey-blue waters whisper stories of the Hanseatic traders who sailed these same routes centuries before.
What awaits there: A Danish shipping company founded in 1866 — Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab (The United Steamship Company) — now Northern Europe's leading ferry and logistics provider. Their passenger ferries connect 20+ countries, carrying 5.5 million passengers annually. The Kiel-Klaipėda route offers overnight crossings (~20 hours) aboard modern cruise ferries featuring restaurants, bars with panoramic Baltic views, comfortable cabins, a sea shop, and even "Pirate's Island" playrooms for young sailors. The ships are marvels of the "Courage-Class" — the world's first purpose-built cruise ferries combining freight capacity with genuine passenger comfort.
Language: Multiple (English, German, Danish, Lithuanian, and more)
Active since: 1866
The Captain's special note: It was aboard a DFDS ferry, somewhere between the German coast and the Lithuanian shore, that the Captain first conceived the idea of writing down his tales. The rhythm of the Baltic waves, the conversations with fellow travelers from a dozen nations, the peculiar timelessness of being neither here nor there — these gifts of DFDS made this humble blog possible.
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CAB20 - Germany's First Cabin Hotel
The Captain's words: When the bureaucratic storms of Hamburg's Ausländerbehörde threatened to capsize the Captain's spirit, he found unexpected sanctuary in this Japanese-inspired harbor where the philosophy of less is more manifests in soundproofed cabins no larger than a ship's berth — yet within those minimal walls, attended by staff who move with the quiet wisdom of healers who have traded their drums for digital wristbands, the weary traveler discovers that sometimes the greatest luxury is not space but intentional simplicity; here, five minutes from the Hauptbahnhof, the Captain learned anew that you cannot rush paperwork, but you can choose how you wait, and choosing a clean bed, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour bar staffed by philosophers disguised as bartenders is choosing well indeed.
What awaits there: Germany's first cabin hotel, blending Japanese capsule hotel efficiency with German comfort. Soundproofed private cabins with queensize beds, Bluetooth speakers, wireless charging, and clever storage. Shared facilities include basement shower cabins, a 24-hour bar, rooftop terrace, and community spaces. Digital wristband check-in enables 24/7 access and cashless convenience throughout. Located in Hamburg's St. Georg district, it attracts digital nomads, business travelers, and anyone seeking maximum rest in minimum space.
Language: German, English
Active since: 2020
The Captain's special note: The Captain stayed here during a week of bureaucratic waiting, when papers refused to align and appointments stretched into the distance. The staff — from Brazil, the Philippines, Germany, and beyond — created something rare: a space where healing happened not through intervention but through thoughtful absence. Sometimes the best harbor is the one that simply gives you a quiet cabin and trusts you to find your own way back to calm.
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More recommendations will appear as the Captain discovers worthy harbors in his travels. Check back when the winds change.