Q. Do I need to be a good sailor for any of these trips?
A. Absolutely no experience is required on the majority of our trips. Our holidays are a great first introduction to sailing. You can learn the ropes if you wish and get hands-on with the crew, or you can sit back, relax, and watch the world sail by. Some of the more adventurous voyages may require previous time at sea, but we will always advise if a trip is right for you or not.
Q. Are your boats available for Private Charter?
A. Yes! Most of our boats are available to hire for various durations and locations. Read more here!
Q. Do I need to get involved with sailing the boat?
A. On most of our voyages, you can get as involved as you’d like. On some expedition voyages, it is expected that guests participate. This may also include helping in the galley or being part of a watch system. Your voyage will clearly explain this in the description.
Q. What should I bring with me?
A. We’ll give you a tailored kit list once you’ve booked your voyage. Think of things you don’t mind getting wet: layers, hats, and waterproof shoes with good grips. Some boats will provide proper sailing waterproofs – but these are of limited availability, so if you have them, it’s best to bring them.
Q. What does the price include?
A. Your berth or cabin and most if not all meals onboard (please check each voyage ‘what’s included’ section for more information), sailing tuition and crew. It doesn’t include alcohol (most ships have this available to buy onboard), land excursions, travel to and from the arrival/departure ports, or travel and personal accident insurance.
Q. Do I still need sailing insurance if I already have travel insurance?
A. Yes. Sailing insurance and maritime law is quite specific, and we request all our guests purchase it before boarding. Please read more about the types of insurance you need here >
Q. Do I need to complete a medical form?
A. Yes, we require some medical information about you at the time of booking to ensure your safety on board and to make the skipper aware of any considerations to you joining a trip. This is an active holiday, so we want to ensure you are suited to this type of experience. Requirements vary greatly depending on the type of sailing you are participating in, and our team will be happy to advise if you have any concerns.
Q. What sort of medical issues will prevent me from going?
A. Type 1 diabetes, epilepsy, heavy pregnancy, the inability to climb a 2-metre ladder, and any severe illness that requires non-oral medicine to ensure your usual standard of health (sea sickness can prove an issue for this!). These are the things we highlight as immediate issues; however, we will always send the medical form to the skipper if there are any concerns for further consideration. It will be up to the skippers’ discretion if they are happy to have you aboard.
Q. Will I get seasick?
A. It is not uncommon to get seasick on the first day or in rough weather. If you do begin to feel unwell, just let a crew member know so that we can look after you accordingly – especially if you are on medication. For most, the feeling will pass in a few hours with a hot drink, a ginger biscuit and a lie-down.
Q. Can I charge my phone/camera?
A. Yes, all of our boats offer some means to charge equipment. Each boat is different, some take a 12v USB charger and some European boats require an adaptor. Please check each boat FAQ’s for more information.
Q. Do you cater for dietary needs?
A. All our boats can cater for a meat-eating and vegetarian diet. However, for other dietary needs, please check each boat’s FAQ for more detailed information. If you have an allergy to certain foods, please detail that on your medical form. Where you prefer or dislike a certain food, we will try our best to accommodate that, but with limited space on board, it may not always be possible.
Q. What is the age limit?
A. Each boat is different, so please check each boat’s FAQs. Generally, the minimum age is 8 years with a one-to-one parent-child ratio, and although there are not many trips with an upper age limit, for some boats, there is a consideration for any guest over 75 years, especially when on longer passage crossings.
If you have any other questions, please ring us on the number below or drop us an email, and we will be happy to chat this through with you.
