Header trainee

Join a sailing adventure on a Tall Ship and set course for new horizons!

Harlingen (NL) - Antwerp (BE)

05 July - 13 July 2026

8 days, Excelsior

From € 1160,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

15-25: € 1160,-

Book this journey

Excelsior:
Harlingen (NL) - Antwerp (BE)

05 July - 13 July 2026

The Tall Ships Races 2026: Cruise in Company. Set sail from Harlingen and discover the scenic coasts of the Netherlands and Belgium on this unforgettable voyage to Antwerp. Start your adventure in style by joining the majestic Parade of Sail, surrounded by a fleet of international tall ships. On board the Excelsior you’ll become part of the trainee crew – hoist sails, take the helm, and help navigate along the coast. Drop anchor in charming small harbours, explore hidden gems, and if the winds are right, meet up with another vessel for shared fun and games at sea. As you arrive in Antwerp – a historic maritime city rich in culture – you’ll join the festivities, connect with trainees from around the world, and celebrate the end of your journey in true Windseeker style. A week of sailing, learning, and friendship you won’t soon forget!
Open to young Windseekers aged 15-25.
This journey will be open for bookings from the 1st of October 2025.

The Tall Ships Races 2026

Each year, a diverse fleet of tall ships, small ships, and yachts come together to champion Sail Training and build international friendships among young people. To ensure youth participation, at least half of the crew must be between 15 and 25 years old. The vessels take part in thrilling races and Cruise in Company legs, sailing between host ports and immersing themselves in lively harbour festivals along the way.

Every journey begins with a joyful sail-out in a stunning Parade of Sail, leading into several days at sea before concluding with two exciting days in the destination port. Here, trainees take part in a variety of events, from the Crew Parade and award ceremonies to the Crew Party, games, and competitions. Are you ready to set sail on this unforgettable adventure?

Ports

Harlingen is a trade and fishing port in Friesland, the Netherlands. The town itself is over a thousand years old, and you’ll find several historic streets in the old city centre. Its small size makes it easy to explore the town on foot. In 2022 Harlingen was a port of call for the Tall Ships Races. The town operates ferry lines to the Frisian Islands, a unique nature reserve with populations of seals, birds, and other wildlife. With its ‘gezellige’ pubs the town is a great place for a stopover.

Antwerp is a city in Belgium, on the River Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. Its long maritime traditions are clear in the fact that the Port of Antwerp is one of the largest in the world. Come by train and you will be greeted by the monumental Antwerpen-Centraal station. Art lovers cannot miss the Rubens House and Museum aan de Stroom, while the Chocolate Nation, the largest Belgian Chocolate museum in the world, should appeal to most visitors!

  • Harlingen (NL)

  • Antwerp (BE)

Key points

  • Dates: 5 July 2026 - 13 July 2026
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers age 15-25 years
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 12
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English
  • Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
  • Price excludes transportation costs to-and from the ports. Our travel counsellor can advise you and book your transfers
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: sleeping bag, pillowcase, and towels
  • "This trip was about pushing your boundaries."

    Roos (16)

You sail on the Excelsior

Shipping type: Traditional fishing smack
Homeport: Lowestoft (UK)
Date built: 1921
Trainees: 12
Length: 23,6 m
Height of mast:
Sail: 8-10 sails

Windseeker logs

  • Wylde Swan

    Endless Ocean Views

    Wylde Swan, 14 October - 21 November

    Sailing from Harlingen to Tenerife. On board: crew and trainees

    – by Jeske Zijlstra, Deckhand

    After a night of playing with the anchor, it's time to set sail again. Without any sleep, we're preparing the Ship for strong backwinds and high waves. For Barry (the small sail) it’s the perfect time to show up. Carefully putting …

    Read log
  • Statsraad Lehmkul

    The Best Two Weeks of my Life!

    Statsraad Lehmkuhl, July 2016

    Antwerp - Lisbon

    – by Windseeker Manon

    The moment right before I began my sailing adventure I had a lot of fears and doubts. I have saved money for so long and I have worked really hard for it. What if I did not like the meals? …

    Read log

Photos

  • Trainee
  • Sørlandet
  • Sørlandet

OTHER JOURNEYS YOU MIGHT LIKE

STO Garant

This Journey is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

This process is automatic and you do not need to do anything else. After receiving your booking, Windseeker will send you detailed information on how and when to pay for your journey – together with all the other important details.

 

What does it mean?

In short: you do not pay the booking amount to Windseeker but instead into an escrow account. This trust account holds your payment in reserve until your journey’s end. The booking amount is then released to Windseeker on the day after your trip ends. If Windseeker or the Ship should become financially insolvent before the end of your trip, STO Garant will implement the guarantee. The Guarantee Scheme details how you can make a claim under the guarantee in such cases. You can read more about this here.