Header trainee

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

Antwerp (BE) - Stavanger (NO)

13 July - 24 July 2026

11 days, Thalassa

From € 1510,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

15-25: € 1510,-
26-28 (at request): € 1760,-

Book this journey

Thalassa:
Antwerp (BE) - Stavanger (NO)

13 July - 24 July 2026

The Tall Ships Races 2026: Race 2. This adventurous journey will bring you from Anterp in Belgium all the way to Norwegian port of Stavanger. With several days (and nights) of non-stop racing on the open sea, this leg of the Tall Ships Races is perfect for everyone who likes to be active and enjoys the thrill of a competition! You will be divided into watches, and – together with the experienced crew – sail Thalassa across the sea, steering, navigating, and adjusting the sails to win the trophy. Feel the wind in your hair, enjoy the sunsets at sea, and seeing the stars during a night watch, make new friends, and have a wonderful adventure. Reach Stavanger with enough time to spend two days in port, joining the crew-exclusive activities and celebrating your voyage in style!
Open to all Windseekers aged 15-25; ages 26-28 at request.
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

Antwerp is a beauitful Belgian city on the River Scheldt, connected to the North Sea via the Westerschelde estuary. With deep maritime roots, it’s home to one of the world’s largest ports. Arriving by train? You’ll be welcomed by the stunning Antwerpen-Centraal station. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the Rubens House and the contemporary Museum aan de Stroom, while Chocolate Nation, the world’s largest Belgian chocolate museum, offers a delicious experience for just about everyone.

Stavanger is a vibrant modern port with a charming historic district. Its picturesque old harbour offers a lively atmosphere right in the heart of the city. Stavanger boasts a rich cultural scene and is the perfect gateway to some of Norway’s most stunning natural landscapes. Don’t forget your hiking boots – the surrounding mountains promise unforgettable views. Discover the dramatic Lysefjord, hike to the famous Preikestolen and Kjerag cliffs, or unwind on the sandy beaches of Jæren.

  • Antwerp (BE)

  • Stavanger (NO)

<>

Key points

  • Dates: 13 July 2026 - 24 July 2026
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers 15-25 years, age 26-28 at request
  • 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
  • "At first I didn't know what to expect and I felt kind of insecure, but the crew was really amazing and I had an unforgettable journey."

    Finn (15), Belgium

You sail on the Thalassa

Shipping type: Barquentine
Homeport: Harlingen (NL)
Date built: 1980
Trainees: 30
Length: 47m
Height of mast: 35m
Sail: 800m2

Sail in style. The Thalassa is more than capable to sail every imaginable sea and ocean. A 3-masted barquentine, she carries square sails on the foremast, while the main and mizzen masts are both gaff-rigged. Thanks to that she can …

Read more

Windseeker logs

  • We Learned How to Work Together While Setting Sails

    Gulden Leeuw, July 2018

    Sunderland-Esbjerg

    – by Ola

    When I first stepped on the Gulden Leeuw, I didn’t know anybody. I was also the only one from Poland. But people there were amazing. So open minded and patient. The first thing our Captain Robert taught us, when we got …

    Read log
  • A Few Moments of Peace

    Morgenster, September 2014

    Baltic Sea

    – by Windseeker Jan

    "There were dolphins!”, my watch mate told me when I emerged from my cabin. “Hundreds of them! Jumping and blowing! You missed them!” I thought he was pulling my leg, but apparently he wasn’t. When seasickness claims you, you miss …

    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.