YOUR SAILING AREA
Netherlands to Portugal
This ocean-going voyage offers you the opportunity to experience the real sailor’s life as you become part of the crew and participate in the ship’s watch system. Take the helm, become a member of the deck crew, and settle into the watch system as life at sea washes over you. You will learn every aspect of sailing a classic tall ship on this ocean sailing voyage.
Morgenster will berthed at Willemsoord, the historic naval dockyard in Den Helder. Should you be brought by friends or family, there will be plenty of time to show them around the ship. Once everyone is on board, the captain will call all those on board together to discuss plans for the upcoming voyage, as well as safety procedures and rules of life on board. This is a voyage for the seasoned sailor. You will be part of the crew and rotate in the watch system.
Across the North Sea, we will sail through the Dover Strait to the English Channel. During this part of the trip, we may encounter adverse weather and this time of year it can be pretty cold. We relieve each other at the helm regularly, and especially during this part of the trip, there will be frequent hoisting, lowering, or adjusting of the sail. When there is no work on the rig, there is plenty to see for those on watch. These are the busiest waters in the world, and we see ships of all shapes and sizes all around us.
Before sailing into the Bay of Biscay, we might stop in a Belgian, French or English coastal town – or on one of the Channel Islands. The Bay of Biscay has a bad name but is exciting as soon as we leave the continental shelf, the depth under the keel increases to as much as 5 kilometres! How we will cross the Bay of depends greatly on the weather and wind direction.
After the crossing, we hope to stop at a Spanish port such as Muros or Vigo. Along the Portuguese coast, we sail further south. There is a much greater chance of a northerly wind here, making sailing very pleasant, especially with a square-rigged ship. On Nov. 17, 2024, we will arrive at our destination, the Portuguese city of Setúbal, an hour’s drive from Lisbon.
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Getting involved
The professional and experienced crew will teach you everything you need to know as you will sail with and become part of the crew, hoisting sails, taking the helm and getting involved with all aspects of sailing a tall ship. Morgenster will sail continuously with a watch system aboard. Everyone is invited to join the watch system aboard, but this is not mandatory – the ship is fully crewed. You’ll never be without a crew member and the watch system will be worked out once everyone has boarded to gauge guest abilities.
From plotting our route on the chart to cooking together, some celestial navigation skills, hoisting and trimming sails, and rope work and repairs, there is always something for everyone to do while on watch. The rest of the time is free to enjoy the inky black of the night sky, reading a book or three or playing cards together; the ocean allows guests to switch off from the demands of the modern world and fill their souls with vitamin-Sea.
Sailing by the stars
Far from land, miles into the open ocean, you’ll see the night sky as you have never seen it before. The stars light the sky as we sail away from any man-made light pollution, creating a truly spectacular sight.
Weather
Part of the beauty of an ocean-going adventure is experiencing all the elements. From wind, rain and sun, we will certainly see them all. Whatever comes our way, the crew will use weather radar technology to plan our route as best they can to ensure we cover the most miles as safely as possible. Expect strong winds and big waves, perfect sailing to glassy seas with not a breath of wind and everything in-between.
The crew says, “This voyage is only suitable for the experienced and fit (sea) traveller. The weather could be challenging, and during a crossing, there are few, if not any, options to divert to a harbour. We sail out of reach of helicopters and medical care from shore is usually not available. This requires more of your physical ability than a daily walk. Some voyages are more challenging than others. If you are unsure whether a voyage is suitable for you, please contact us”.
