Header trainee

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

Antwerp (BE) - Stavanger (NO)

13 July - 24 July 2026

11 days, Thalassa

From € 1507,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

15-25: € 1507,-
26-28 (at request): € 1760,-

Book this journey

Thalassa:
Antwerp (BE) - Stavanger (NO)

13 July - 24 July 2026

The Tall Ships Races 2026: Race 2. This adventurous journey will bring you from Anterp in Belgium all the way to Norwegian port of Stavanger. With several days (and nights) of non-stop racing on the open sea, this leg of the Tall Ships Races is perfect for everyone who likes to be active and enjoys the thrill of a competition! You will be divided into watches, and – together with the experienced crew – sail Thalassa across the sea, steering, navigating, and adjusting the sails to win the trophy. Feel the wind in your hair, enjoy the sunsets at sea, and seeing the stars during a night watch, make new friends, and have a wonderful adventure. Reach Stavanger with enough time to spend two days in port, joining the crew-exclusive activities and celebrating your voyage in style!
Open to all Windseekers aged 15-25; ages 26-28 at request.
This journey will be open for bookings from the 1st of October 2025.

The Tall Ships Races 2026

Each year, a diverse fleet of tall ships, small ships, and yachts come together to champion Sail Training and build international friendships among young people. To ensure youth participation, at least half of the crew must be between 15 and 25 years old. The vessels take part in thrilling races and Cruise in Company legs, sailing between host ports and immersing themselves in lively harbour festivals along the way.

Every journey begins with a joyful sail-out in a stunning Parade of Sail, leading into several days at sea before concluding with two exciting days in the destination port. Here, trainees take part in a variety of events, from the Crew Parade and award ceremonies to the Crew Party, games, and competitions. Are you ready to set sail on this unforgettable adventure?

Ports

Antwerp is a city in Belgium, on the River Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. Its long maritime traditions are clear in the fact that the Port of Antwerp is one of the largest in the world. Come by train and you will be greeted by the monumental Antwerpen-Centraal station. Art lovers cannot miss the Rubens House and Museum aan de Stroom, while the Chocolate Nation, the largest Belgian Chocolate museum in the world, should appeal to most visitors!

Stavanger is a modern port, but retains a small historic district. The lovely old harbour is a favourite stopover for big cruiseships that tower over the buildings. The city has a lively cultural scene, and is surrounded by numerous outdoor destinations well worth a visit. Explore the narrow, rocky Lysefjord and the mountains Preikestolen and Kjerag, or relax on Jæren's beaches. Make sure to bring hiking boots, as the mountains stand over 1000 meters tall.

  • Antwerp (BE)

  • Stavanger (NO)

<>

Key points

  • Dates: 13 July 2026 - 24 July 2026
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers 15-25 years, age 26-28 at request
  • 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
  • "Super great experience, I recommend it to everyone. I loved it!!! Everything was perfect."

    Michael (17), Belgium

You sail on the Thalassa

Shipping type: Barquentine
Homeport: Harlingen (NL)
Date built: 1980
Trainees: 30
Length: 47m
Height of mast: 35m
Sail: 800m2

Sail in style. The Thalassa is more than capable to sail every imaginable sea and ocean. A 3-masted barquentine, she carries square sails on the foremast, while the main and mizzen masts are both gaff-rigged. Thanks to that she can …

Read more

Windseeker logs

  • On the Right Course

    Gulden Leeuw, 2017 Rendez-Vous Tall Ships Regatta

    Atlantic Crossing from Halifax to Le Havre

    – by Anna (mentor's notes)

      Aug 2nd 2017   Second Day at Sea Today we have started hauling a smaller vessel, Peter von Danzig – we are currently expecting to go on motor for 2 days before the race will resume. The evening was much calmer than yesterday …

    Read log
  • Trainees at the Vega Gamleby

    It feels like we have been out for a lot longer than we actually have

    Vega Gamleby

    Gothenburg - Blyth - Gothenburg

    – by the Trainees

    Logbook trainees Vega Gamleby 2016 Gothenburg-Blyth-Gothenburg Part 2: 25-26 August   25- August-2016 Today we have learned what all the sails and ropes are called, and what they do. We also saw dolphins again and a whale for the first time. We are getting …

    Read log

Photos

  • Dolphins
See more

OTHER JOURNEYS YOU MIGHT LIKE

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.