Christmas in the Caribbean

IDEAL VOYAGE FOR…

Romantics, solo travellers, sun lovers, sailors and novices who want to see the Caribbean as working crew on a square rigger. Feel less like a tourist and experience island life as a sailor. No experience is needed as the professional crew will teach you to find buntlines and braces, clewlines and yard halliards.

If you would rather be outdoors and active this winter and feel the wind in your hair then sign up before the mast. Eye of the wind is a sail training ship, but there is no deck scrubbing (unless you like the exercise). Guest crew can dip into the exciting stuff and not feel guilty resorting to the mattresses on the sun deck when there are enough volunteers to set a sail or take a turn on the helm.

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• Christmas on a Tall Ship
• A Caribbean Sea Journey with island stops
• Learn to sail a windjammer with a young and friendly crew
• Active sailing and manoeuvering on a 100-year-old tall ship … feel free to participate!
• Caribbean flair ashore
• Excellent onboard cuisine, delicious meals from morning to evening

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

This voyage begins in Barbados, with its sandy beaches and lush gardens. Embarkation is at 7pm on the 22nd, but we recommend you arrive early and explore Bridgetown. Once on board, the captain and crew will greet you with a tour and a briefing, covering safety information, the latest weather forecast and the itinerary. You’ll also enjoy dinner aboard getting to know your fellow sailors.

The morning will see you slip lines and set sail, with relaxing sailing round the island. The passage to Grenada, at 150 nautical miles, is just long enough to feel like an adventure, and you may call in at St Vincent or the smaller of the Grenadine Islands en route.

7 days is plenty of time to relax and unwind, and there will be lots of time spent lazy sailing round stunning coastlines and exploring ashore. Christmas is spent with the crew, in one of a host of possible glorious tropical locations.

On arrival into St George’s, you’ll have time to celebrate with the rest of the crew, toasting a successful passage and looking forward to the New Year, before your last night aboard. Disembarkation is at 10am, after which you can explore the island at your leisure before making your onward journey. We recommend spending some time in St George’s, with its brightly painted houses and uniquely beautiful underwater sculpture park.

Island hopping, anchorages & time ashore

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best sailing and shore landings for the forecast the captain, who will take your wishes into account whenever possible. This ensures that your sailing trip is a pleasant mix of adventure, relaxation, active participation and pure enjoyment.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

Sailing from Barbados to Grenada in December, you can expect pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 75°F to 85°F (24°C to 29°C). Winds are generally gentle, averaging around 10 knots, making for comfortable sailing conditions. The seas are usually calm, with waves typically reaching 2 to 4 feet, which should be manageable even for first-time sailors. Just keep an eye on the occasional passing rain shower.

A NOTE ON VOYAGE DESCRIPTIONS

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best and safest sailing routes for the forecast. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described above, but when it comes to sailing, you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The description provided is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or prior experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage. As such, the scheduled joining ports, routes, activities and/or destinations may be altered. Due to the complexities of weather systems, this may be at very short notice. 

HANDS ON HOLIDAYS

Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail. Handling cargo adds an extra dimension – building teamwork and communication skills and leaving you with a great sense of achievement.

SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD

We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation. There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on the vessel pages.

What to pack for a sailing holiday on the Eye of the Wind

Working Language on Board is German and English

Practical Advice for Eye of the Wind   

Practical Advice for Covid 19 and Eye of the Wind

What is Included

• Sailing Instruction
• All meals to include refreshments throughout the day
• Duvet, pillow and sheets
• Hand towels

What is not Included

• Waterproof jackets and trousers
• Alcoholic drinks but there is a bar on board
• Any entry visas required

What to Bring

Suitcases take up a lot of room in a cabin, so it is better to uses soft bags in a ship. A small rucksack for going ashore is useful.

• Eye of the Wind does not supply waterproof jackets and salopette type trousers. Please bring your own waterproof clothing.
• A mix of warm and wind proof clothing.
• Lots of thin layers is better than one thick layer in cold destinations.
• In tropical countries - long sleeves and long trousers to protect you from the sun
• Footwear on board needs a good grip and soft soles- the decks are wood or steel.
• Ashore stout, waterproof walking boots are best if you are in remote places.
• Eye of the Wind has electric sockets in all the cabins 240 V 
• Cameras, spare batteries, chargers if you need them
• Binoculars are handy for bird watching etc.
• Suntan lotion, hats, sunglasses
• Dont forget any regular medication, persciption glasses and spare
• Euros for bar bill 
• Passport, travel insurance, tickets etc
•  To get ashore is usually by dinghy so be prepared to get wet feet. Rubber boots or quick drying sandals - depending on the location.
• The ship provides hand towels but please bring a beach towel
• snorkel and mask for caribbean if you like snorkelling (travel tip: swimming goggles pack up smaller than a facemask)
• Bring insect repellant for Caribbean as can get mosquitos ashore in evening (rare at anchor)
• ear plugs can be handy 

Electricity

All the power to your plug sockets comes from the ship's generator which runs on deisel. The less the generators have to run to top up power, the nicer it is for the guests on board and also greener for the planet. Please don't bring loads of hairdriers, electric devices to charge.

There is no internet on board whilst at sea. 

A fabulous adventure! Words cannot convey the experience.

John, Tortola to Bermuda

Tortola to the Azores! What a great time. Thanks to Captain Pit and the crew. An awesome adventure with awesome people!"

F Coutreau

What a wonderful, lovely, great, awesome trip we've had from Malaga to Lanzarote! I loved and enjoyed every minute.

Thanks again for this wonderful experience. I miss you guys!

Andrea

Now that was a voyage! The EYE crew - all 10 - five women and five men - embody two words:

COMPETENT and KIND

And such a beautiful ship. Thank you beyond measure

Susan

With red sails against a blue sky, Eye of the Wind is a photogenic ship. If you have any new images we would love to see them since Eye of the Wind has only recently returned to our website. 

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