Round the World Voyage 2013

Round the World Plans 2013

In Spring 2013 Europa and Oosterschelde will meet in Cape Town and head for Australia for a series of Tall Ships Races to celebrate 100 years of the Australian Navy.  The route will include Madagascar, Mauritius, Freemantle, Jakarta, Adeleide, Melbourne, Hobart, Auckland.  Both Dutch ships will sail accross the Pacific and around Cape Horn to Falklands or South America. The two tall ships will then go their seperate ways: Oosterschelde will then head North up the Atlantic Ocean. Europa will stay in South America for her 12th Antarctic Sailing Season. before going their seperate ways.

Express your interest in the world voyage 2013 or tell us what sort of ocean passage you are looking for in the enquiry section below and we will keep you up to date with the latest opportunties.

SHIP 1:  Bark Europa - experienced ocean wanderer

Barque Europa is a classic three masted square rigger with a reputation for ocean wandering, In tropical seas she can really spread her wings with stun'sails and skysails which extend her canvas to an amazing 30 sails. She typically spends summer in the Northern Hemisphere for Tall Ships Races and sails thousands of miles back to the Southern Hemisphere for an Antarctic Summer Season.

There are usually discounts if you sail on several legs on Europa, so you could spend a substantial part of a career break or GAP year signed on as crew  'before the mast.'

Europa 2012-13 Antarctic Voyages involve some impressive ocean passages including sailing in the Roaring 40's, Southern Ocean in the wake of Shackleton, Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea and the infamous Drakes Passage below Cape Horn. The longest Europa Antarctic Expedition is 52 days and 5500 miles and finishes in Cape Town.

Barque Europa Antarctic Voyages 2012-2013 - dates, prices and itineraries

SHIP 2: Three Masted Topsail Schooner - Oosterschelde 

This will be her second time around the world with charter guest crew

Oosterschelde is well used to running sailing expeditions to remote places like Spitsbergen, Antarctica, Indonesia or Cape Verde with well educated guests interested in nature, walking, maritime history and local culture ashore. Whilst the ship does do some social projects / sail training, for most the year the hospitality and style of sailing is geared towards adults on an adventure holiday.

Classic Sailing have been working with Oosterschelde since 2008 and our office staff have sailed on her in Cape Verde and Scotland so we can tell you about the style of sailing on this impressive schooner.

Oosterschelde will meet up with Europa in Cape Town after her winter Cape Verde season.  Cape Verde archipelago lies off The Gambia in West Africa so joining her here takes you straight into tropical sailing and wonderful trade winds.

Oosterschelde is in Europe this summer 2012 so why not try her out on a short voyage before before her big trip.

Oosterschelde Summer Season dates 2012

11 day Cape Verde Island Hopping Dates 2012-13

The beauty of the open ocean

Is it boring ? What will I do ? Paint a sunset, mend a sail, follow an albatross, help the cook bake bread, climb higher up the rigging each day, switch to ocean time, breathe deep and take stock of your life.

What did civilisation do before TV, facebook, the internet. They talked, entertained each other with stories, co-operated with their fellow humans to achieve things, taught each other new skills, read books, shared dreams for the future, set each other challenges, lived in fear and wonder of nature. Without Google you turn to each other and books for information. Let the people onboard surprise you with their indepth knowledge of  very diverse subjects. All our ocean going vessels have a collection of reference and inspirational books on board.

 You establish a routine that is relaxing and comfortable but keeps you occupied. Sailing at night with absolutely no light pollution makes the night sky brilliant. Experience all the seas moods from glassy calms to white capped swells launching flying fish from crest to crest.

Am I up to extended offshore or ocean sailing ?

These longer voyages are ideal adventure sailing holidays for the ambitious sailor, world traveller or determined romantic. Some love the physical challenge of being hands on crew, others muck in but their real passion might be ocean bird spotting or just finding time for themselves.

Though no experience is required, you do need to know you enjoy sailing and be reasonably confident about your health and stamina.  It can be a long way from the nearest hospital - days rather than hours. These voyages are long and you will be part of a watch system helping sail the ship day and night (typically 4 hours on, 8 hours off type rota). The ship will be in constant motion so things like getting into a top bunk or eating meals at an angle can be hillarious but also exhausting. Sleep is not usually a problem, once you get used to the pleasant concept of naps in the daytime, whilst the ship rushes on through the waves. 

Want a Career at Sea ?  Mile Building Voyages

The beauty of sailing through the day and night on a reasonably large sailing ship is you can notch up thousands of miles without too much effort, whilst gaining a wealth of experience if you fully immerse yourself in sailing, watch keeping and navigating duties and take time to learn as much as you can from the professional crew.

'University of the Ocean'