Small ship sailing cruises

Sailing vacations are for voyagers who want to understand what’s going on behind the scenes of a cruise. Experience required ranges from absolutely zilch to Day Skipper qualifications that allow you to steer a yacht solo. Many small group sailing vacations can handle all types of abilities. Perpetually patient skippers will show complete novices the ropes, while letting sailors with some experience focus on perfecting their port manoeuvres. Each sailing will always begin with a safety and mission briefing, so you’ll get a handle on what’s required each day.

Sailing cruises that let you earn qualifications like the Competent Crew or Day Skipper along the way are more rigid in their approach. It’s hands-on stuff, with minimum textbook theory involved. If you don’t want a qualification, you’ll just get the pleasure of ending up with a sea miles log form that you can hang above the mantelpiece. A small ship cruise specialist will be able to find the right sailing vacation for you based on your capability, preferences and crew members (children are usually welcome).

One thing’s for sure: go small ship sailing, and you’ll be among fellow explorers and an international crew that really knows how to spin a yarn. After working, eating and living together for a week or two, you’ll have (ship)mates for life.

Bareboat sailing is for the experienced sailor. You’ll get to charter your own boat for a week all for yourself, so if you don’t want a skipper on board then you’ll need a Day Skipper qualification. Most vacations head for the Mediterranean (Croatia and Greece) or the Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, for example). In fact, some would say that bareboat sailing is one of the best ways to see these heavily visited spots. You’ll experience them by blink-and-you’ll-miss-‘em beaches and population: 3 islands.

Itineraries are often tailor made, so you can take them with a generous pinch of seasalt. Boats come stocked with books with tips on the most beautiful bays to moor in or snorkelling spots where there are more turtles than people. Berths don’t tend to be pre-booked, so you’ll need to take special note of the tour operator’s advice about high season in your wish-list ports.