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Join a sailing adventure on a Tall Ship and set course for new horizons!

Aberdeen (GB) - Kristiansand (NO)

21 July - 01 August 2025

11 days, Excelsior

From € 1440,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

15-25: € 1440,-

Book this journey

Excelsior:
Aberdeen (GB) - Kristiansand (NO)

21 July - 01 August 2025

The Tall Ships Races 2025: Race 3 and Cruise in Company. Perfect blend of adventure and relaxation! Set sail on an unforgettable journey on board the Excelsior as you depart from Aberdeen, Scotland, with a spectacular Parade of Sail. Feel the rush of competition as you race across the North Sea, working together with other trainees to chase victory. Cross the finish line and switch from the excitement of the race to a more leisurely pace as you sail along Norway’s stunning coastline. Take time to explore a charming port, or anchor in a picturesque fjord for a refreshing swim. With a bit of luck, you might even meet up with another ship for some joint activities. Your adventure will conclude in Kristiansand, where you’ll celebrate the end of your voyage by spending the last two days at a sailing festival, making memories that will last a lifetime.
Open to young Windseekers aged 15-25.

The Tall Ships Races 2025

Every year, a diverse array of Tall Ships, small Ships, and Yachts gather to promote Sail Training and foster international frienship among young people. With a stipulation that mandates at least half of the participants fall within the age bracket of 15-25, these vessels engage in Races and Cruise in Company legs, navigating between various host ports and engaging in vibrant harbour festivals.

Each journey includes a cheerful sail-out of the harbour in a spectacular Parade of Sail, followed by several days at sea, and ends with the last two days spent in the destination port. Here, trainees paricipate in a series of events including the Crew Parade, award ceremonies, Crew Party, as well as games and competitions. Are you ready to embark on this exhilarating journey?

Ports

Aberdeen, the silver city with the golden sands, lies on the Scottish east coast. The city has been settled for over 8000 years, so you’ll find plenty of historic landmarks as you amble across town. Aberdeen is also famous for its many parks and gardens. The city hosts several festivals year round, so check out the cultural agenda while you’re there. And take some time to spend in one of the many wonderful pubs, where you can strike up a conversation with the locals. But don’t peek under kilts!

Kristiansand is the business and cultural capital of southern Norway. The sea and surrounding fjords are perfect for recreational activities like fishing and sailing, and the nearby inland and mountains are ideal for skiing and hiking. In the more urban areas you will find a rich variety of cafes, restaurants, art galleries and museums.

  • Aberdeen (GB)

  • Kristiansand (NO)

Key points

  • Dates: 21 July 2025 - 1 August 2025
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers age 15-25 years
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 12
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English
  • Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
  • Price excludes transportation costs to-and from the ports. Our travel counsellor can advise you and book your transfers
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: sleeping bag, pillowcase, and towels

  • "I felt like a free human. Everything I did felt so good."

    Boukje (15), Netherlands

You sail on the Excelsior

Shipping type: Traditional fishing smack
Homeport: Lowestoft (UK)
Date built: 1921
Trainees: 12
Length: 23,6 m
Height of mast:
Sail: 8-10 sails

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Windseeker logs

  • Statsraad Lehmkul

    The Best Two Weeks of my Life!

    Statsraad Lehmkuhl, July 2016

    Antwerp - Lisbon

    – by Windseeker Manon

    The moment right before I began my sailing adventure I had a lot of fears and doubts. I have saved money for so long and I have worked really hard for it. What if I did not like the meals? …

    Read log

  • The Sustainability of Sailing

    Windseeker, 23 February 2023

    – by Anna Gudarowska

    While sailing isn't immune to environmental impacts, we're setting a course for eco-conscious practices on board. In this exploration, we dive into the reasons why sailing and sustainability are intricately intertwined. From harnessing the wind's renewable energy to cultivating a …

    Read log

Photos

  • Trainee
  • Sørlandet
  • Sørlandet

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STO Garant

This Journey is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

This process is automatic and you do not need to do anything else. After receiving your booking, Windseeker will send you detailed information on how and when to pay for your journey – together with all the other important details.

 

What does it mean?

In short: you do not pay the booking amount to Windseeker but instead into an escrow account. This trust account holds your payment in reserve until your journey’s end. The booking amount is then released to Windseeker on the day after your trip ends. If Windseeker or the Ship should become financially insolvent before the end of your trip, STO Garant will implement the guarantee. The Guarantee Scheme details how you can make a claim under the guarantee in such cases. You can read more about this here.