Under sail, with the power of the wind
Tall Ship Voyages
The moment the sails are set and the engine falls silent is among the finest of any voyage. What remains is the creak of the masts, the rush of the bow wave and a horizon that is yours alone.
Not all tall ships are alike. Beneath the white sails lie very different worlds, each with its own history and its own promise. Once you understand how they differ, it is far easier to find the ship that suits you.
There are the great windjammers and the slender clippers, built for the power and the beauty of sailing. Aboard the Star Clippers fleet, among them the Royal Clipper as one of the largest full-rigged ships in the world, the sails are worked from the deck by winch. You travel in the thick of it without having to lend a hand, and yet you feel every gust.
And then there is the queen: the Sea Cloud. Built in 1931 at the Krupp Germaniawerft in Kiel as the largest private sailing yacht in the world of her day, she was from the first a ship meant to bring people joy. Aboard her and her younger sisters Sea Cloud II and Sea Cloud Spirit the sailing is still done by hand: the crew goes aloft into the yards and sets the sails by muscle, just as it was done almost a hundred years ago. Add to that a fine galley, few guests and a luxury that has nothing to prove.
Other tall ships tell a different story. Some sailed a first life as a herring lugger or cargo sailing ship before a loving rebuild gave them a second, as a ship for travellers. The three-masted schooner Oosterschelde, for instance, launched in 1918 as a cargo sailer, today carries guests across the seas where she once loaded bricks and herring. In ships like these, history sails with you, in every plank.
Others again were built to train people for the sea: cadets for the navy, or young people for the merchant service. Aboard a sail training ship such as the Alexander von Humboldt II, the vessel becomes a floating classroom. Those who sail along learn not only knots and manoeuvres, but more about teamwork, responsibility and themselves than a whole year ashore might teach.
However different the ships, their heart is the same: the wind, the sea and a slower, richer way to travel. Whether a comfortable sailing cruise, a classic windjammer or the adventure of a traditional sailing ship, we know the ships and their souls and will find the right one with you.
Our tall ships, ship by ship
Sea Cloud Spirit
Sailed by hand, the crew goes aloft into the yards.
Sea Cloud II
Windjammer luxury, the sails set by muscle.
Royal Clipper
One of the largest full-rigged ships in the world, sails worked from deck.
Star Flyer
A slender clipper, her sails worked from the deck.
Star Clipper
A classic clipper under white sails.
Alexander von Humboldt II
A sail training ship, a floating classroom.
Oosterschelde
A three-masted schooner from 1918, history in every plank.
Segelschoner Meander
A traditional sailing ship for a small number of guests.
Barkentine Antigua
A barquentine with character, hands-on sailing included.
Bark Artemis
A three-masted barque with classic square rig.
Stad Amsterdam
A majestic clipper replica under full sail.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tall ship?
A large sailing vessel rigged with square or gaff sails that travels by the power of the wind. The term covers windjammers, clippers, traditional sailing ships and sail training vessels.
What kinds of tall ships are there?
From the comfortable sailing cruise (Sea Cloud, Star Clippers) through rebuilt traditional sailing ships to sail training vessels that train young people for the sea.
Is there still real sailing?
Yes. Aboard the Sea Cloud the sailing is done by hand, with the crew going aloft into the yards; aboard the Star Clippers fleet the sails are worked from the deck. In both cases the wind drives the ship.
Which ship is right for me?
It depends on whether you are looking for luxury under sail, history you can touch or active hands-on sailing. We will advise you on that personally.
We know the ships, their crews and their spirit. We take the trouble to understand the soul of each individual ship, so that we can recommend exactly the one that matches your wishes. Let us find out together, in a personal conversation, which ship best suits your sailing dreams.
