Travel details:
- Unforgettable sailing cruise to London
- 6 days including 2 nights in London
- Assisted sailing
- Checking in and out at the NDSM shipyard in Amsterdam
- Overnight stays in Ipswich on the city centre waterfront
- Possibility to travel to London by train
We leave the NDSM yard, a former shipyard on the IJ in Amsterdam. We sail across the North Sea Canal towards the sea, where we raise the sails. The ship’s movements change, the air here is fresh and you can smell the salt. We alter course towards the mouth of the River Orwell.
We sail as much as possible. In parts where safety requires it, we will motor. This sailing trip is most enjoyable if you help the crew sail the ship. No sailing experience is required. The crew will be happy to explain everything about sailing and navigating the ship. If you like to steer or climb the jib net, that is certainly possible. But nothing is compulsory. If you prefer to read a book or enjoy the view, that’s fine too.
The nights at sea are magical. When it gets dark, we light the navigation lights so that other ships can see us clearly and sail on as usual. Other ships are also lit up, resulting in a sea of cheerful white, green and red lights through which we navigate safely.
At first daylight, we will see the coast of England. As we sail up the mouth of the River Orwell, the ship’s movements change. The landscape slowly urbanises and we see more shipping and industry as we get closer to Ipswich. We moor at Neptune Quay, in the centre of Ipswich. We have made the crossing!
Ipswich is about 150 nautical miles away from Amsterdam. That means it will take us on average between 24 and 48 hours to reach our destination. The exact arrival time depends on wind direction and strength.
After a quick crossing, we will stay docked in Ipswich for two nights, so there is plenty of time to visit the town or take a train to London.
We then make the trip in reverse and sail back to Amsterdam. There, we moor again at NDSM shipyard where we have a drink to the happy ending and look back on our adventure.
Sailing schedule:
- Day 1 – In the evening, everyone comes on board. This allows everyone to get acquainted with each other and the ship before we head out to sea the next day.
- Day 2 – Day at sea. Enjoy a full day of sailing. At night, we sleep at sea as we continue sailing.
- Day 3 – Arrive in Ipswich, we dock in the town centre. Overnight stay on the ship in Ipswich.
- Day 4 – Ipswich. Overnight on the ship in Ipswich.
- Day 5 – Departure from Ipswich. Time of departure dependent on tide and weather. Overnight at sea as we sail.
- Day 6 – Arrival in Amsterdam. Time of arrival depends on conditions en route.
Weather conditions may not permit safe sailing to Ipswich The captain will then put together an alternative sailing schedule.
It is also possible to book just a single trip (ferry trip): Amsterdam – Ipswich (25. August to 27. August) or Ipswich – Amsterdam (28. August to 30. August).
Important information about this trip:
- Passport required
- To enter the UK from the EU, you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You can apply for an ETA via the UK government website.
- Don’t have a good sailing suit? You can rent one from us. Ask us about the possibilities.