You’ll step on board at St Katherine Dock in the centre of London next to the Tower Bridge. After meeting the crew, your fellow passengers and a safely briefing, we’ll leave the harbour the next day at high tide to sail down the river Thames.
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. From here, we'll be charting a course across the North Sea to Amsterdam.
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.
“So, you’ll spend at least one night at sea –
there’s nothing quite as magical!”
London - Amsterdam is about 210 nautical miles (390 km), which takes about thirty-six to forty-eight hours to sail. Our exact arrival time will depend largely on wind direction and speed.
We love sailing, which is why we'll sail on the wind as much as possible, but now and then we'll switch to engines where safety demands.
There's nothing quite as magical as being at sea at night. After dark, we'll continue sailing but switch on our navigation lights so that other ships can see us. These ships are illuminated, too – in a cheerful array of white, green and red lights. After all, safety at sea is paramount.
“As dawn breaks, we’ll be able to see the Dutch coastline.”
The English Channel is one of the busiest waters in the world. Soon the Dutch coast will loom into sight.
As we sail into the Noordzeekanaal estuary, the rhythm of the ship will begin to change yet again. We'll pass the vast expanse of Amsterdam's port and maritime industry on a course for the city centre.
The ship will be mooring at the NDSM-warf – a former shipyard in the centre of Amsterdam. Once we arrive, we'll raise a glass, toast one another and reminisce about our adventures at sea. We've made it, you have crossed the North Sea!
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.
Being in and around one of Europe's largest ports, you'll get to see huge ocean-going ships from really close by. These megaliths are sometimes 400 m (1,300 ft) long with containers piled as high as buildings on their decks.
I could try to describe what it's like out at sea at dusk or dawn, but I'd never do it justice. You're better off experiencing it for yourself!
You often see porpoises swimming alongside the ship, and occasionally, there are whales or dolphins, too.
Sometimes, you see these unusual algae floating on the waves that fluoresce as the water moves, so that the ship leaves a glittering trail of light in its wake.
Timetable
Day 1 – Welcome on board!
Time to settle yourself, meet the crew and your fellow passengers. Night on board the ship.
Day 2 – Let’s set sail!
Night on board the ship.
Day 3 – Amsterdam Ahoy!
Most likely we’arrive in Amsterdam today. Night on board the ship.
Day 4 – Amsterdam.
The voyage ends today, time depending on arival in Amsterdam.
This voyage includes all meals at sea and only breakfasts while in harbour.
