Sail Between Capitals & Cross the North Sea

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

Setting Sail from Amsterdam

Twister’s embarkation berth is NDSM-warf – a former shipyard in the centre of Amsterdam, and easily accessible by public transport.

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’ll be able to smell the brine on the spray and you’ll even notice that the air you breathe tastes cleaner. You can help the crew sail and navigate if you’d like. Our crew will gladly explain the ins and outs of the ship’s workings and even teach you the ropes if you’d like. 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 – London is about 210 nautical miles (390 km), which takes about thirty-six to forty-eight hours to sail. Your exact arrival time will depend largely on wind direction and speed. 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 London

Sailing up the Thames, you really are following in the footsteps of sailors in bygone days. Gradually the Thames narrows from a wide estuary in the north of Kent to the river that flows through the Capital of England with masses of history on either side.

Twister’s berth is right in the heart of London: St Katherine’s Dock next to Tower Bridge. If conditions have been favourable you should arrive in plenty of time to explore the city from an unbeatable jumping-off point, before your final night on board ship.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

Expect moderately 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.

The inland waterways at either end of your journey will be much more sheltered.

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 adventure aboard Twister

What is Included:

• All meals and soft drinks aboard
• All safety equipment, including lifejackets and harnesses.
• Your bunk, bedding and a towel

What is Not Included:

• Travel to and from your voyage
• Personal travel insurance (see our advice on Travel Insurance)
• 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.

Voyages on Twister