Ahoy, Sailor!
You’ve taken a first step towards joining a Sail Training journey. In order to make things easier for you, we prepared this page with all the important information. Perhaps it’s your first-ever sailing adventure, or maybe you’re a salty sea dog already? No matter your experience we encourage you to read this section carefully in order to prepare for your upcoming journey.
We hope that you will learn a lot from this page, but if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@windseeker.org.
KITLIST
This document will tell you what to bring: from the general packing advice (use a soft bag!) to specific things you need to have on board of your Ship (sleeping bag? Towels?)
There’s also useful information about important documents which you will need to have for your trip – so don’t skip this section!
Organise your travel to the ports
Joining the Tall Ships Races? Find some tips on the best way to reach Aarhus, Harlingen, Antwerp, Stavanger and Aalborg and organise your own travel - or scroll down if you'd like some help with the transfers.
Download the travel suggestionsGET ASSISTANCE WITH TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Would you like to relax and let others worry about arranging transfers to ports? Contact Manon Eeken from Travel Counsellors at: manon.eeken@travelcounsellors.nl + 31 235762105
Life on Board
It’s not easy to imagine what it’s like on board a Tall Ship if you’ve never sailed before. If you want to get an early glimpse into that world, visit our Life on Board page. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about Sail Training and Tall Ships.
Visit the Life on Board pageImportant things to take care of
Insurance
You are required to carry proof of being enrolled in the following:
– Medical health insurance, for your home country (e.g. a European Health Insurance Card),
– Travel insurance, which covers medical expenses abroad, loss of luggage and third-party liability. Make sure that it doesn’t exclude sea sailing!
Please be aware that you need both of those in order to sail.
Unless stated otherwise, cancellation insurance is not obligatory, but recommended. If your journey is cancelled by the ship/Windseeker, you will only receive reimbursement of the journey fee, but not any additional costs (like flights).
Recommendations
We have gathered some recommended insurance providers from different countries, but we cannot guarantee that each of them provides a sufficient coverage for everybody. Please make sure to check the conditions before buying the insurance, as it is your responsibility to ensure that the policy meets all the requirements listed above.
Find the updated list of recommendations on windseeker.org/insurance/.
ETA: traveling to the UK
From the 2nd of April 2025, all people entering the UK from the EU/Schengen countries need an ETA travel authorisation (along with a valid passport).
In order to apply, you will need to upload or take photos of the passport that you will be traveling with and your face. The application should be processed within 3 days, and your ETA will be valid for 2 years.
To read more and apply go to the official website here.
ETIAS: traveling to Schengen from abroad
From Autum 2026 (expected) all people entering the EU/Schengen area from abroad, including (but not limited to) the UK, will need either a visa or an ETIAS travel authorisation. This will be done electronically and the estimated cost is 7 EUR. At the moment the scheme is expected to go into effect in the last quarter of 2026, but the exact timing is not confirmed yet. You must check the information about ETIAS closer to the journey date, we recommend checking at least 2 months in advance.
To read more about ETIAS, click here.
Minors traveling without a parent/guardian
In addition to their own valid passport or ID card, all minors (younger than 18) travelling, either alone, with adults who are not their legal guardian, or with only one parent, may need an extra (official) document signed by both their parents, or legal guardian(s) authorising them to travel.
There are no EU rules on this matter, each country decides if it requires the traveller to have an official authorisation from their parent(s) or guardian. Check the exact rules for the countries you are travelling to and from if this applies to you. Also, please be aware that airlines might have additional rules in place regarding an unaccompanied travel of minors.
For Dutch trainees – click here for more info and the official form.
For French trainees – click here for more info and the official form.
Traveling with prescription medicine
If you are travelling within the Schengen Area with narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substances, you must bring with you the original prescription (paper) and a Schengen Medical Certificate. The certificate is a form that states the name and dosage of the medication and that the holder needs this specific medication for a health condition. It must be signed by a medical professional. There is no EU standard certificate, but you should be able to find a template on your country’s government’s or health ministry’s website.
If you are from, or are travelling to, outside the Schengen area, please check the relevant information for all countries you are visiting.
Other info
Seasickness
Some people get seasick and some don’t. Most will depend on the weather situation in the first days at sea. What helps is being fresh on the morning of departure. Get a good night’s sleep, make sure you have eaten enough and keep on eating and drinking even if you don’t feel like it (but skip the coffee if you start feeling bad). If you decide to use motion sickness pills to prevent getting sick, make sure to take them before departure. We recommend that you bring some just in case. If you’d like to be super-prepared you can find our article about seasickness here.
Diets
If you follow a special diet and didn’t let us know at booking – please do this immediately!
If you are a vegetarian, almost all of the ships can provide meals for you. Halal prepared meat and vegan food are a bit more tricky, but some ships can accommodate those requirements. Most vessels are okay with minor food allergies, but will not be able to have trainees with severe allergies, due to the risk of contamination.
Most of the time the available diets will be listed on the journey page, under Keypoints. If you have doubts, contact us and we’ll look for the best solution together!
Wi-fi and mobile phone reception
There is no wi-fi on board. If you participate in the Tall Ships Races or Regattas, you can use the Crew Center, which has wi-fi and computers available for the trainees.
There is no mobile phone reception once you’re farther than 20 nautical miles from the shore. Enjoy your digital detox!
In case of emergency the Ships are equipped with a satellite phone – after all, safety comes first.
Finding the ship
A week before the journey begins, we will send you detailed directions on how to find your vessel in the port, and a bunch of last-minute info.
Learn to use the Marine Traffic service – it will help you find the ship, and your loved ones at home will be able to follow your journey!
Sharing your experience
Would you like to share your journey with a wider audience? Send us your photos, videos, or writing, and we’ll feature them on our website and social media to inspire more people like you. Of course, you’ll receive full credit for your work!