Practical Advice

... is our top priority not only in this overview, but above all on board. Before the start of each voyage, a detailed safety briefing is given by the crew. A sufficient number of individual life-saving equipment (life jackets and survival suits) are of course available. The ship's communication and safety equipment meets international requirements. Every member of the crew has completed special safety training. Our cruising areas are selected in such a way that fast and reliable assistance is guaranteed in an emergency (the Atlantic crossing is an exception).

No previous sailing experience is necessary for a stay on board. Active participation in sailing manoeuvres is always on a voluntary basis and under the guidance of the experienced crew. Climbing harnesses that meet the necessary safety requirements are available on board for climbing up the mast. All routine work on board and ship operations (provisioning, catering, cleaning, etc.) are carried out by the crew. For the typical tasks of daily life on board – such as "deck scrubbing" – the following also applies: Helping hands are welcome and assistance is always voluntary.

Bed linen and towels will be ready in the cabins on your arrival. The weight of your luggage should not exceed 20 kilograms if possible. If you are travelling by plane, please also observe the baggage regulations of the respective airline. If possible, do not use hard-shell suitcases or bulky items of luggage, as these are difficult to stow in the cabins. Use "soft bags" (e.g. travelling bag, sports bag, duffle bag). It is generally advisable to only take as much luggage with you as necessary. On a sailing trip, you will hardly need any formal outfits and there is less space in your wardrobe than you are used to at home. The following list is at best a recommendation and should be adapted and supplemented by you depending on the season, sailing area and your personal needs.

General luggage
- light jacket
- long trousers
- light jumper
- boat shoes or sneakers
- shoes for shore leave
- socks, underwear
- T-shirts
- sleepwear

For "warmer" sailing areas
- shorts
- flip-flops / sandals
- swimwear
- bathing shoes
- snorkel, fins, diving goggles if necessary
- peaked cap / sun hat
- sarong / wrap skirt if necessary

For "colder" sailing areas
- windproof and waterproof jacket and trousers
- waterproof boots
- long trousers (e.g. jeans)
- wool or fleece jumper / fleece jacket
- wool or fleece hat
- scarf
 
Other items
- sailing gloves (or half-finger cycling gloves)
- sun cream / sunblock (no sun oil – it makes the deck slippery)
- sunglasses, glasses strap
- moisturising cream, lip care, other personal bathroom and toiletries
- your own first-aid kit with medicines that you need personally
- especially for Caribbean trips: insect repellent
- earplugs
- paper copy of your identity card or passport
- cash for excursions, alcoholic drinks, souvenirs etc. 
- camera with memory card and battery, battery charger if necessary
- waterproof bag, e.g. for beach trips with the dinghy
- small rucksack for shore excursions

When sailing, it is important to bring warm and waterproof clothing regardless of the season. Rainproof and windproof jackets and trousers are advantageous. We also recommend headgear, e.g. a scarf or cap, non-slip and waterproof footwear, and gloves. For safety reasons, please avoid wearing shoes with pointed or high heels on deck. Contact between your clothing and robust materials such as wood, hemp ropes and steel is almost unavoidable on a traditional sailing ship. In addition, your clothing may come into contact with tar, rust or lubricants, as minor maintenance or repair work is sometimes carried out during the voyage. Please choose your clothing accordingly.

Please bring your valid identity card or, if applicable, a valid passport and boarding pass. If you are travelling to the Caribbean, please remember that your passport should be valid for at least six months. When travelling abroad, you may also need to observe any visa or passport regulations. Remember your flight, train or bus tickets! If you have a mileage book, please bring it with you and you will receive your mileage confirmation at the end of the voyage.  

The costs for arrival and departure are not included in the tour price. For the individual planning of your arrival and departure, we will be happy to arrange a reliable partner travel agency for you, please contact us in good time if required.              

Travelling by public transport to ports in Germany         
For a comfortable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective journey by train, we recommend our offer Rail & Sail - by train to the ship. With the cooperation offer from AKADEMIE HERKERT and Deutsche Bahn, you can also travel to FORUM train & sail GmbH events in a relaxed and comfortable way. Ask us please ask for details and booking options.

Please refer to your booking confirmation and boarding pass, which will usually be sent to you six weeks before departure, for arrival and departure times. You will usually receive the latest information on the exact berth by email at least two weeks before departure. The embarkation times are binding – however, if you are unable to arrive at the specified check-in time, please inform either the ship's office or the ship's management. If the check-in time is in the evening (usually at 7 p.m.), the trip will begin with a first dinner together on board. Ship's office or the ship's command. If the check-in time is in the evening (usually at 7 pm), the cruise begins with a first dinner together on board.

We recommend that you take out private leisure accident insurance and, if necessary, special international health insurance including medical repatriation.

If you are dependent on medication, please bring a sufficient supply with you on board. Please inform the office and the captain on board in advance about your health condition (e.g. allergies, diabetes). An emergency first aid kit is available on board; the crew members are trained in first aid.

Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor and, if necessary, good sunglasses should be included in your luggage. If you wear glasses, you should bring a glasses strap to secure them. To prevent seasickness, we recommend taking vitamin C, preferably in the form of ginger preparations, which are available from pharmacies, health food shops or drugstores (this information is not intended as medical advice; please read the package instructions and check for any intolerances).

When travelling abroad, please note any necessary vaccinations.

Before participating in trips where it is not possible to call at a port for more than a week, or only under difficult conditions (e.g. Atlantic crossing), a medical certificate must be presented in advance certifying physical and health suitability. We will provide you with an information sheet containing further details. We also recommend a visit to the dentist before longer trips.

The ship is not wheelchair accessible.

We recommend that you take out travel insurance in case you are unable to travel for health or other reasons. In individual cases, it may also be advisable to take out international health insurance and/or travel cancellation insurance.

The trip price includes all overnight stays with accommodation in comfortable double cabins and full board (incl. all meals, water, coffee, tea). The extensive on-board library (incl. DVD collection and TV) can be used in the lower saloon.     
                       
The trip price does not include travel to and from the destination, fees for any entry visas required for individual countries, the cost of shore excursions and drinks from the on-board bar (soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits are available).    

We do not charge any additional or hidden costs such as annual association or membership fees, a payment into the "on-board cash box" for provisions and harbour mooring fees, an additional fee for the ship's cook, a fixed tip for the regular crew, or even a "diesel rate", etc. All these ship operating and service costs are already included in the final price.

We attach great importance to the fact that we do not sail with a frequently changing volunteer crew, but with a permanent crew. The crew consists of a captain, first mate, engineer, cook and deckhands. All crew members are familiar with the ship, even in difficult nautical situations, which also contributes to your personal safety.    

Our office is staffed five days a week.

The itinerary and the stopovers and harbours indicated in our travel descriptions are optional and may change at short notice due to wind and weather conditions. The captain often decides the course of each day's stage on the same day and – whenever possible – taking your wishes into account. As travelling under sail depends on the wind direction and strength, it is unavoidable that some sections of the route – sometimes even longer stages – have to be covered with the help of the engine. This is particularly the case when there is no wind and on estuaries or in archipelagos. The ship's command endeavours to keep the running times of the main engine and the generator for power generation to a necessary minimum. As a rule, the ship sails during the day before mooring in the harbour or anchoring in the evening. On the longer so-called transfer trips, the ship is also sailed or motored at night. In some harbours and bays in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, the ship cannot moor at a fixed berth due to excessive draught. In this case, the disembarkation and shore leave are carried out with the help of the motorised dinghy. As a rule, we do not offer guided shore excursions; shore excursion activities must be planned independently.

As is customary on sailing ships, accommodation is in two-person cabins. In addition to a toilet, shower and air conditioning, each cabin has standard 230-volt power connections.

Bed linen and towels are provided in the cabins.

Please be aware that there is limited space compared to what you are used to at home; storage space for luggage in the cabins is also limited. During the day, you will hardly spend any time in your cabin, but rather in the saloon or on deck.

Single accommodation is available for an additional charge, subject to availability. If you would like this option, please contact us in good time.

The maximum number of participants for day trips, sailing trips with overnight stays and training courses is limited to 12 people.

The languages spoken on board are English and German. The international crew communicate with each other in English.

The Eye of the Wind is certified as a civilian sailing training ship by the organisation Sail Training International. Active sail training is practised during regular ship operations.
 
Sailing with us on a "hand for bunk" basis is generally not possible.
 
Those interested in the trainee programme on board should contact the ship's office.
 
Young trip participants aged 16 to 25 travel at half the regular price.

Our seminars and leadership trainings usually last three to four days and are characterised by an alternation of theoretical and practical units. With regard to luggage, clothing, travelling, itinerary, etc., the same applies to the training courses as to the sailing trips (see the relevant information in this overview). You will receive accompanying training documents on board.

With regard to safety, health, luggage, travel, insurance, etc., the same applies to day trips as to sailing trips lasting several days (see the relevant information in this overview). In addition, please note the following information:

If you have booked a day trip with overnight accommodation: bed linen and towels will be provided in your cabin upon arrival. If possible, please do not use hard-shell suitcases or bulky luggage, as these are difficult to store in the cabins. Please use travel bags, sports bags or duffel bags.

There is no dress code on board for either day or evening trips. Please choose clothing that is appropriate for the weather (rainproof and windproof jackets and trousers if necessary). We also recommend headgear, e.g. a scarf or cap, as well as non-slip and waterproof footwear. For safety reasons, please avoid wearing shoes with pointed or high heels on deck. Contact between your clothing and robust materials such as wood, hemp ropes and steel is almost unavoidable on a traditional sailing ship. Please choose your clothing accordingly.

Please bring your boarding pass with you. Don't forget your flight, train or bus tickets!

The boarding times are binding. Please expect increased traffic and visitor numbers when travelling to port festivals or other major maritime events and therefore allow sufficient time before check-in. When participating in sailing parades, it is essential to be on board at the specified time so that the ship can depart without delay and take its designated position in the parade formation.

Our day trips are usually unguided. Feel free to approach the crew members! Our crew will be happy to explain what there is to see on the water and on land.

There is no age restriction for participation in day trips.

On day trips, it is generally possible to bring your own dog on board – provided that the other passengers agree and the animal is of an appropriate size. Please be sure to contact us in good time before the start of the trip.

There is no age restriction for participation in day trips. If you would like to take part in a longer sailing trip as a family with child(ren), please contact us. We will be happy to advise you based on our experience and provide recommendations for travellers with children.

To keep traditional seamanship alive, we make it easier for teenagers and young adults to access sail training on board the Eye of the Wind. Voyage participants aged 16 to 25 can sail with us at half the regular price upon request.

For day trips and short trips, it is generally possible to bring your own dog on board – provided that the other passengers agree and the animal is of a reasonable size. Please be sure to contact us well in advance of your trip.

Standard 230 volt power connections are available in each cabin. The power supply as well as the air conditioning and heating system also work independently of the shore power connection, i.e. at sea, during the generator running times (usually in the morning and evening, for several hours in each case). Please only bring on board those power consumers that you absolutely need.

In the harbours and near the coast, reception is usually good enough for the internet to work on mobile devices. There is no on-board Wi-Fi network or on-board Internet hotspot.

Food allergies or intolerances (gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance etc.) can usually be taken into account by the galley staff, provided we are informed in good time.

For safety reasons, smoking below deck is strictly prohibited. Smoking is permitted on the open upper deck at the lee railing (= on the side of the ship facing away from the wind) in the designated area, but not in the narrow passages to the side of the deck superstructure.  

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted on board. For safety reasons, people who have consumed alcoholic beverages may not climb up the mast afterwards. As unforeseeable situations are always to be expected at sea, alcohol consumption should be responsible and within reasonable limits. There is an on-board bar on the ship from which beer, wine and other spirits can be purchased. The drinks consumed are usually settled at the end of the trip. Payment by credit card or other electronic means of payment is not possible.

The cabins do not have their own safe. There have never been any cases of theft on board, which is why we practise "open doors" – also for safety reasons. We recommend that you do not bring jewellery and valuable watches on board, as these items could be lost or damaged during your voluntary assistance with active sailing.

Souvenir items (books, clothing, mementos) are sold on board. Payment by credit card or other electronic means is not possible.