Embark | Disembark | Vessel | Duration | Voyage No |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fri 22-12-2023, 19:00Bridgetown, Barbados | Fri 29-12-2023, 10:00St George’s, Grenada | Eye of the Wind | 7 Nights | EYE23/42 |
Christmas on a tall ship is like no other Christmas you will experience. Unlike Christmas in a hotel it is not impersonal, you and your fellow sailors all have the experience of sailing together and everyone on board from the Captain to the Deck hands and yourself help make it a very special and enjoyable Christmas.
Sailing Areas | New Zealand |
Vessel type / Rig | 2 Masted Brig |
Guest Berths | 12 |
Beam | 7.01m (23ft) |
Draft | 2.7m (8.9ft) |
Overall Length | 40.23m (132ft) |
Year Built | 1911 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sail in the Caribbean with Classic Sailing
St George’s, the lively capital of Grenada, invites travelers to experience its Caribbean charm. This picturesque harbor town offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, natural beauty, and adventure. Here’s a guide to make the most of your visit.
From the UK and Europe:
By Plane: Travelers can find direct flights to Maurice Bishop International Airport in St George’s from major cities.
From North America:
By Plane: There are both direct and connecting flights from North American cities.
From Australia:
By Plane: Connecting flights to Grenada are offered through various global hubs.
History and Culture:
Tour Fort George to experience the island’s colonial history and visit the Grenada National Museum to learn about local culture.
Sites of Interest to a Sailor:
St George’s Harbor is a hub for sailors, complete with marina facilities, shops, and restaurants, and sailing tours of the Caribbean Sea are widely available.
Entertainment and Eating Out:
Enjoy Grenada’s vibrant nightlife, including beach parties and live music, and savor local cuisine at popular waterfront eateries.
Nature:
Relax on the stunning Grand Anse Beach or take a hike in the biodiverse .
Unique Features:
Visit the renowned Spice Market and experience why Grenada is known as the Island of Spice, or snorkel in the Underwater Sculpture Park for a memorable adventure.
Special Interests
If you have a special interest that you would like to find out about for this port or to tell us about, we would love to hear from you.
In Conclusion:
St George’s and Grenada offer a rich and varied travel experience. Whether you are drawn to history, sailing, entertainment, culinary delights, nature, or unique local attractions, this Caribbean gem has something to offer. An island vacation here is sure to be an unforgettable journey.
Sustainable Travel Carbon Offset Schemes
By selecting sustainable travel options and actively participating in carbon offset initiatives, you can make a positive impact while journeying to or from your voyage.
Here are some suggestions for carbon offset websites.
UK: One popular carbon offset website in the UK is “Clear” who offer a range of carbon offset projects and solutions for individuals, businesses, and organisations. They provide detailed information about their projects and allow users to calculate and offset their carbon footprint online.
North America: In North America, “Terrapass” is a well-known carbon offset website. Terrapass offers carbon offset projects across the United States and Canada. They provide options for individuals, businesses, and events to calculate and offset their carbon emissions. Terrapass also offers additional resources and information on sustainable living.
Europe: A popular carbon offset website in Europe is “MyClimate.” MyClimate provides carbon offset projects and solutions for individuals, businesses, and travel. They offer a carbon footprint calculator and allow users to support various sustainable projects worldwide. MyClimate focuses on promoting climate protection and sustainability.
Australia: “Greenfleet” is a prominent carbon offset website in Australia. Greenfleet focuses on planting native forests to offset carbon emissions. They offer individuals and businesses the opportunity to calculate and offset their carbon footprint by contributing to tree planting projects across Australia. Greenfleet provides detailed information about their projects and the positive environmental impacts they create.
Please note that these carbon offset websites may vary over time, so it is recommended to research and explore multiple options to find the most suitable one for your needs.
If any of these links do not work it would be kind of you to inform us, many thanks.
Practical Advice for Eye of the Wind
Practical Advice for Covid 19 and Eye of the Wind
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.
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
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