Cross the North Sea and Traverse the English Channel
Book Your Bunk
Embark
Disembark
Vessel
Duration
Voyage No
Mon 15-09-2025, 17:00Amsterdam
Fri 19-09-2025, 10:00Fowey, Cornwall
Twister
4 Nights
TW150925
Experience what it is like to sail across the English Channel, the most navigated stretch of sea in the world with more than 500 ships a day. Twister is a sail training ship: everyone is involved as much as possible in sailing the ship. No sailing experience? No problem! The fantastic professional crew will teach you everything you need to know along the way, from navigating and helming to setting and trimming the sails. If you pay attention, you’ll step off like an experienced sailor!
Voyage
Vessel
Highlights
A fun and varied voyage, with open sea and inland waterways
Get involved and help to steer the ship and set sails, plus keep watch in busy waterways!
Twister’s embarkation berth is NDSM-warf – a former shipyard in the centre of Amsterdam, and easily accessible by public transport.
The Dutch capital, renowned for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system, and narrow houses with gabled facades, is a picturesque start to your voyage. If you have time before joining the ship, a visit to the Maritime Museum is almost obligatory for any sailor, or perhaps you’d enjoy a canal tour, making the most of someone else handling the ropes!
Your first evening on board will involve meeting the crew, your fellow passengers and a safely briefing. After a cosy night Twister will set sail. You’ll pass the vast expanse of Amsterdam’s port and maritime industry as Twister sets a course for the Noordzeekanaal estuary.
Along the Way
Once out at sea, the ship will start to come to life and find her rhythm. You can help the crew sail and navigate as much as you’d like (and we’d highly recommend getting as involved as possible to get the most out of your trip!). The crew will gladly explain the ins and outs of the ship’s workings and show you the ropes. Under supervision, you can even steer the ship or climb the bowsprit netting if conditions allow.
Sailing the North Sea is an unforgettable experience …If it’s not too cloudy, you’ll get to see the night sky as you rarely get to see it, because there’s far less light pollution out at sea. Dusk and dawn on the water are equally spectacular, and well worth leaving your bunk for!
Amsterdam – Fowey is over 400 nautical miles, so this is a great mile builder as well as a brilliantly varied sailing experience. The crew love sailing, which is why Twister will sail on the wind as much as possible, but now and then she’ll switch to engines where safety demands.
Arriving in Fowey
Nestled in the heart of South Cornwall, the beautiful harbour of Fowey was notably an inspiration to Daphne du Maurier, who based many of her novels in the area. It’s easy to see why- the bustling little town sits on a stunning wooded estuary, with hidden coves, tributaries and the wide open sea.
It’s the perfect place to disembark after a potentially challenging North Sea passage!
WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER
Expect cool temperatures, with the potential for rain, brisk winds and varying sea states. The North Sea can offer choppy conditions at times, with short waves as opposed to long ocean swells. This is due to its comparatively shallow depths. Remember: this is a sailing ship not a ferry! Twister will be riding the waves rather than forcing through them, so the motion, though potentially significant, will be much more pleasant.
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.
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.
Start & End Port
Amsterdam
The exact location may not be known until closer to the time, make sure you have a note of the ship’s phone number found in your confirmation in case of any problems on the day. The map below shows the likely joining place.
Fowey, Cornwall
Fowey is one of the most dramatic historic ports on the South Coast with a fjord like narrow entrance and the steep hillside towns of Fowey and Polruan on each side.
The port can accommodate yachts and large tall ships but your vessel will probably be on a mooring in the middle of the river as the alongside pontoons are only for short stays. There are water taxis or your vessel may use their own tenders to collect or drop you off.
Kit List
What to pack for a sailing adventure aboard Twister
What is Included:
All meals and soft drinks aboard
All safety equipment, including lifejackets and harnesses.
Alcohol- drinks are available to purchase on board- consumption is always at the discretion of the Skipper, and is never permitted whilst the ship is underway.
Waterproofs - sets are available to hire: make sure to discuss this with the ship's team before you arrive.
What to Bring
YOUR PASSPORT! Along with any other required travel documentation. Please read the joining instructions you receive from the Ship carefully to ensure you have everything you need.
Please, no valuable jewellery or other valuables, unless you have got specific travel insurance to cover it.
Waterproofs - see above.
Hats for sun and cold weather.
At least two sets of warm clothes - layers e.g. tracksuit bottoms, shirts, fleece jacket, wool jumpers, thick socks, and neck scarf. It can get cold at sea even in mid summer.
Swim suit and suntan lotion.
Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing deck shoes. Sailing boots or wellies are also helpful.
All terrain type Sandals are great for dinghy trips ashore – but you do need shoes which protect your toes for sailing.
Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read, a musical instrument, pack of cards, magic tricks...
Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasickness tablets or pressure-point wrist bands (talk to your pharmacist)
Your own logbook if you'd like to keep track of your sea miles.
Tech chargers (along with adaptors for European sockets) and waterproof cases for any electronics. A rechargeable battery pack for your phone / camera can be really helpful.
N.B. BOATS HAVE LIMITED STORAGE SPACE SO PLEASE PACK AS LIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE. Don't use a rigid suitcase or a bag with a rigid frame. Soft bags are much easier to fold up and stow.
