How do I become a supporter? Expand There are many ways to support us - shore-side, at sea, fundraise or donate to name but a few. Without our supporters we cannot operate and deliver the vital youth work that we do. To find our more visit our Support Us section in the main website menu.
Do you have any salaried or volunteer crew vacancies? Expand Please have a look at our Volunteer at Sea page for more information.
What time will I need to arrive on the first day of my voyage? Expand You will be sent joining instructions either as soon as your berth is confirmed or when we are able to confirm berthing details of your voyage.
Are there domestic plugs on board the fleet? Expand Challenger Fleet - there are no 240v sockets onboard, but limited USB & 'car charger' style sockets aft. Cat - limited 240v sockets onboard, but these only operate when alongside and plugged into shore-power. Ketch - limited 240v sockets onboard, but these only operate when alongside and plugged into shore-power. If you have a specific charging requirement for medical equipment, please call the Reservations Team on 02392 832055 to discuss further.
Do I need sailing boots? Where can I buy them from? Expand There is a chance that your feet will get wet whilst sailing so we recommend you bring a spare pair of trainers that you don’t mind getting wet. You can invest in a pair of special sailing boots (or clean garden wellies) which cost from around £25, we would advise this if you are doing a long offshore passage or sailing during the winter months. If you do wish to buy some sailing boots, try your local yacht chandlery or visit an online marine store.
What do I need to take with me? Expand Download our Crew Handbooks (scroll to the bottom of the page) for a suggested kit list, top tips and further information about what to expect.
What are the payment options? Expand You must pay a 30% deposit & travel insurance premium when booking your voyage and 70% 8 weeks before voyage start date. Any voyage priced at £349 or below, Special Offers and any voyages booked within 8 weeks of the start date require full payment (including travel insurance premium)with booking. Contact the Reservations Team on 02392 832055 for more information. See our Conditions of Booking
Why is travel insurance automatically included? Expand Tall Ships Adventures are pleased to announce that we now automatically include travel insurance within your booking costs. This is to ensure that everyone sailing with us is insured with a suitable policy. We have arranged this specialist travel insurance for all crew members taking part on all Voyages aboard any vessel owned or managed by Tall Ships Ltd. Please read through this documentation carefully to ensure it meets with your requirements. A brief Summary of this cover is set out below. Main Sections of Cover: Cancellation or Curtailment Up to £5,000 Replacement & Re-joining Expenses Up to £3,000 Medical, Repatriation and Additional Expenses Up to £1,000,000 Personal Baggage & Money Up to £1,500 Personal Accident £25,000 Journey Continuation Up to £500 Travel Delay Up to £500 Hospital Benefit £50 per day up to a maximum £2,500 Personal Liability Up to £2,000,000 (excluding whilst involved in sailing activities) Legal Expenses Up to £25,000 Delayed Baggage Up to £250 Political and Natural Disaster Evacuation Expenses Up to £15,000 An Excess of £50 applies to some Sections - see Policy for details. General Exclusions that apply to all Sections It is important to be aware that Trips booked or commenced contrary to Medical Advice, contrary to health and safety regulations of airlines, to obtain medical treatment or after a terminal prognosis has been made are excluded. This insurance also excludes certain types of claim arising from any of the following conditions in respect of an insured person (a) who is waiting for an operation or post operative check-up, any investigation or results, or any other hospital treatment or consultation (other than regular hospital check-ups for a stable condition where the medication and dosage has not changed in the last 12 months.) (b) who has received treatment for any of the following during the 24 months prior to date of booking a trip: a stroke, any form of cancer; leukaemia or tumour; a transplant; any heart problem; hypertension; dialysis; diabetes (not including diabetes II); any blood disorder; any breathing or respiratory problem (not including asthma, unless requiring inpatient treatment); any psychiatric illness or dementia; any gastro intestinal condition e.g. colitis, stomach ulcer; any neurological system related condition (c) who has been seen by a specialist in the last three months (other than regular hospital check-ups for a stable condition where the medication and dosage remains unchanged). Please note an approval to travel by Tall Ships &/or their appointed medical professional does not automatically deem the Crew Member eligible for full policy coverage under the Travel Insurance section of any policy issued. You should refer to the (Travel Insurance) policy conditions and exclusions to determine what covers you are eligible for and what exclusions apply to your specific circumstances and medical conditions, both current or historical. If you are in any doubt as to whether you will be provided cover under this policy, we urge you to seek clarification before you travel, from Tall Ships or their insurance representatives”. You are advised to read the full policy terms and conditions (www.tallships.org or on request) which set out the full details of all exclusions and limitations Maximum age 80 at date of travel. Underwritten by AmTrust at Lloyd’s Limited, Syndicate 1206 at Lloyd’s, whose registered office is at 1 Great Tower Street, London, EC3R 5AA and which is authourised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. The Policy is administered by AmTrust Underwriting Limited in accordance with the authority granted under binding authority agreements. Unique Market Reference: B0046SULPA14. Key Facts are available by clicking - NBT_81841_2018_-_Key_Facts.pdf Full Policy wording (including how to claim) is available by clicking – NBT_81841_2018_-_Policy_Wording.pdf Policy Schedule - NBT_81841_2018_-_Policy_Schedule.pdf
Are flights included? And how can I book them? Expand Flights are NOT included in the voyage price. Our recommendation for booking flights is to either visit a local travel agent or book through the internet. Please note that we advise against booking any travel until we have confirmed your berth on the voyage. For Youth Voyages that start and/or finish abroad we will arrange a recommended flight that will include a transfer to and/or from the airport to the vessel you are joining. Please call our Reservations Team on 02392 832055 for further details.
Do I need a Passport or a Visa? Expand Check the voyage information listed under each voyage to find out whether you require a passport. If it is noted that a Passport is required and the voyage starts & finishes in the UK, it does not guarantee that you will visit a foreign port but the option to might be available. It is your responsibility to check whether you need a visa for any of the countries you may visit including the Channel Islands. Please note that the rules may be different for traveling by sea compared with by air.
Where will I go on my voyage? Expand You will find the start and end ports in the programme, but it's not possible to guarantee where you will go during the voyage as this is dependent on the weather and the Voyage Crew’s ability.We may have suggested an itinerary in the voyage description but this is never guaranteed. Your Skipper will keep you up to date with where you are likely to travel during your voyage and we’ll always aim to get in as much sailing as possible. Some overnight, UK based voyages may plan to visit a foreign port too, so you’ll need your passport (see individual voyage information for whether you need a passport or not). Your joining and leaving ports will only change if absolutely necessary and you will be informed of any change as soon as possible.
How many crew does each vessel in the fleet take? Expand Please see Our Fleet page for further details.
Do I need any sailing experience? Expand No. You don't need any experience or sailing qualifications for most of our voyages. However, on some voyages Full training will be given on board. All of our voyages are graded. If you're unsure give us a call!
Will everybody on the voyage know each other? Expand No. The majority of people will not have met each other before unless they happen to have travelled to the vessel together.
What's not included? Expand Flights Transfers to and from the vessel at the beginning and end of your voyage Any local departure tax - if you arrive earlier than the joining day of the voyage, you may have to may a departure tax in addition to the one you may have paid with your departure flight. Please call us for further details. Onshore excursions and entertainment, for example guided tours, restaurant meals, drinks Sleeping bag, pillow case and towel Waterproof boots - please call for further information, especially if you are going offshore as part of your voyage or sailing when the weather may be changeable
What's included? Expand All meals while on board Tea, coffee, squash and snacks Accommodation onboard if not a Day Sail Safety equipment Waterproofs as required Sail training Boat transfers ashore as required Travel insurance (exclusions apply)
Do I need to be able to swim? Expand No. Although on some voyages you may have the opportunity to swim from the vessel or a beach this will be your choice. On our youth voyages you will be required to wear a lifejacket whenever on deck with the added safety feature of being tethered to the vessel if needed