Is a sailing trip right for me | Ship to Shore Communications | Medical Conditions | Beginners’ Questions | Booking and Paying | Clothing and Gear | Choosing a Voyage | Food | Accommodation and Facilities | Solo Travellers | Travel Documentation | Travel Insurance | Travel Logistics | Traditional Sailing
Classic Sailing encourages mixed crews across ages, genders, backgrounds and experience levels. You may not meet your mirror image, yet you will sail with a wide range of people and everyone’s contribution matters.
Read: Embracing differences aboard
Most voyages set a minimum between 12 and 18 due to vessel insurance, though this varies by ship. Some take younger sailors. Family-friendly or youth training voyages appear at times, and day sails can sometimes accept younger children.
Guide: Sailing with family
No. Health and fitness are what matter. All sailors complete a health and safety form. Some vessels request extra information for certain ages or medical histories.
You should be able to climb a 6-foot vertical ladder and move safely on a working deck. Normal fitness is sufficient. Teams handle sails together, so you will not be expected to haul the heaviest gear on your own.
Further reading: How tough is sailing in remote waters?
Short-range communication uses VHF. Long-range contact uses satellite phones or SSB. Some vessels carry Starlink systems. Mobile phones can work near the coast but are unreliable offshore.
Each ship issues its emergency communication procedure before departure so you can brief family and know how to be reached if needed.
Most conditions do not automatically exclude you. Suitability depends on voyage rigour, remoteness and your history. Speak to us for advice. In some cases a doctor’s note may be required.
All medical and personal data are handled confidentially under GDPR and shared with the skipper only for safety.
Yes. Professional crews train everyone from the start. You will learn rope work, knots, safe hauling, movement on deck and helming by the wind. Very long expeditions benefit from extra preparation, yet even a nervous beginner can apply.
Top tips for your first voyage
No. Climbing is always optional. You will be offered the chance, usually alongside a harbour training session, always in a harness and under supervision. If you choose not to climb, there is plenty of work on deck and you may go onto the bowsprit with a harness when conditions and policy allow.
Guide: Climbing the rigging safely
You might. It should not put you off. Prevention and remedy strategies exist and mindset helps.
Seasickness: prevention and remedies
Safety is the top priority for Classic Sailing, skippers and crew. We only work with vessels certified by their flag-state authority. Medical, dietary and allergy information is shared with the skipper for your safety and kept confidential.
Is sailing safe?
Submit the online booking form. The operator reviews it to confirm the voyage is suitable, including a basic fitness and safety check.
Payment methods vary by vessel. Some accept cards, others require bank transfer.
A deposit of about 25% is usually due once your berth is confirmed. Balances are typically due three months before sailing. Bookings made within three months of departure usually require full payment.
Each vessel has its own cancellation policy. Refer to the specific Terms and Conditions for your ship.
Not usually. Many ships can lend waterproofs. Hiking-style waterproof jackets and trousers are generally fine. Footwear such as wellies, running shoes or lightweight walking boots works on wooden and metal decks. Check your vessel’s kit list for details.
Every voyage page links to a vessel-specific kit list. Expect to bring waterproofs if not provided, warm layers for a changeable sea climate, sun and cold hats, grippy shoes, chargers and travel documents. Keep luggage light and use a soft bag that stows easily.
Voyage packing list (checklist)
Focus on three elements: the ship, the sailing area and the trip length. These factors shape the experience more than anything else.
A purposeful passage from one port to another with little shore time. This suits sailors wanting active, hands-on experience, career progression or sea miles rather than relaxation.
Delivery voyage / Mile builder explained
Round trips start and finish in the same port and reduce travel complexity. Voyaging trips start in one port and finish in another, offering more miles and the chance for an overland return.
A short, beginner-friendly trip that lets you try life at sea without committing to a long schedule. It also helps you get to know a new ship.
What to expect on a taster voyage
A full day on the water, including learning the ropes and a meal on board, but no overnight. It is ideal for a first taste or to involve friends and family who prefer a short experience.
How a day sail works
The most relaxed pattern, with nights spent at different anchorages or moorings and time ashore.
Mixes day sailing with selected nights at sea to experience darkness and navigation.
Runs continuously between ports on a watch system alongside the professional crew, giving the full seafarer rhythm.
On board you can expect breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Hot drinks such as tea, coffee and herbal infusions are included, with squash or water available. Ashore meals or alcohol are usually extra. Larger ships may run a bar tab settled at the end. Smaller vessels may stock a small supply for purchase or invite you to bring a bottle for meals, subject to the skipper’s policy. Alcohol is never consumed before watch or aloft, and many ships are dry while underway.
Yes, within practical limits of space and supply. Declare requirements on booking so the vessel can plan and clarify details.
Crews cook fresh, wholesome meals. Some ships have chefs and assistants. Others share cooking among trained crew who live aboard for the season. On longer trips many bake bread and manage substantial cold storage. Several vessels focus on local or organic produce and may catch seafood.
Smaller boats often provide 12-volt charging via car-style sockets. Larger vessels usually have 240 volts when the engine or generator runs. Sockets may be UK or European and not always in every cabin. A small power bank is handy, though a digital break can be refreshing.
Using your phone beyond Wi‑Fi and cellular
All ships provide hot water, though capacity can be limited. Layouts vary. You may have an en-suite WC or use shared facilities along a corridor or on the main deck level. Showers and washbasins can be en-suite, cabin-based or in shared rooms by gender depending on the ship.
Shared cabins are normal at sea. Bunks often have curtains and lights, and most vessels organise single-sex cabins unless you book as a couple or in a mixed arrangement offered by the ship. Respect and simple routines keep things comfortable.
If you prefer complete privacy, it is perfectly acceptable to use the toilet/shower area to change; many sailors do exactly that when space is tight or timings clash.
Ear plugs can help if snoring is an issue.
Solo sailors book a twin-bunk cabin with a 50% supplement. If you choose sole occupancy and the ship later sails with spare cabins, you may receive a refund of that supplement. If you are happy to share with a same-gender solo sailor, you still book with the supplement. If someone is assigned to your cabin, or spare cabins remain at sailing, the supplement may be refunded. State your preference in the booking comments so the operator can manage cabins fairly.
Yes. Port authorities can request passports at any time. Visa rules vary by nationality and residence. Check with the relevant embassies early and confirm you have the right status for onward travel, as yacht sailors in transit may have different entry terms from tourists. Ensure your passport has sufficient validity for the countries visited.
Review your government’s foreign travel advice and the health guidance for your destinations. UK sailors can consult Fit for Travel.
Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory for all voyages, including UK waters for UK citizens. Insurance covers cancellation close to departure, loss or damage to personal kit, and any liabilities if illness or injury curtails a voyage. UK residents can access tall ship policies from recommended providers. Non-UK residents should secure equivalent cover locally.
Do not arrange travel until the ship has confirmed your berth and you have paid the deposit. Operators may need to clarify medical details or suitability first.
Use our travel planning guidance to choose routes and reduce environmental impact. Less experienced travellers can follow our step-by-step planning advice for safe journeys.
Travel options and planning · How to create a travel plan
Port authorities often allocate berths only a few days ahead. The ship will send final joining instructions and emergency contact numbers. Carry those details and ensure the ship has an accurate phone number for you.
It depends on joining time and location. For expensive or remote voyages, arriving the previous day is sensible due to weather-related disruptions and limited catch-up options. Captains usually aim to arrive near the finishing port the night before disembarkation to help with onward travel, yet always allow margin in your plans.
Some regular port pages include simple recommendations used by crew, typically practical and budget-friendly rather than luxury. The Classic Sailing Sailors Facebook group can also help you compare notes with others on similar routes.
Crews often take in heavy bags while you explore until the joining time, yet early boarding is rarely possible due to tight turnarounds, maintenance, fuelling and cleaning.
Ships seldom sail without you, though delays disrupt plans and training. Call the ship’s emergency number at once. Vessels may shift to an anchorage and collect you by boat if feasible. If severe disruption or events beyond your control make joining impossible, discuss options with the ship and Classic Sailing. Your travel insurance should help with losses.
In Western Europe the gaff rig is the most common traditional configuration. It sets fore-and-aft sails on a gaff rather than square sails on horizontal yards. The plan gives fine control of sail shape and efficient tacking to windward.
Gaff rig: history and handling
Yes, within the ship’s policy and conditions, and never under compulsion. You will train in a harness and climb under supervision, often first in port. Many sailors find the view and sense of height unforgettable, and it is an excellent vantage point for spotting wildlife.
How to make the most of going aloft
If anything here is unclear or you want a second opinion on which voyage fits you best, ask us. We will answer personally and keep this guide accurate for future sailors.
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