The open water, the salty sea, the flapping of the sails, and the wind in your hair. Sun, clouds, and birds. All of this makes you feel alive. This is what sailing is.
Sailing together with a group and experiencing wonderful adventures in a beautiful setting. Enjoying delicious food and sharing a drink together. Comfort indoors and the pleasure of being outside during the day. All of this together makes for a fantastic sailing holiday—perfect even for you, if you’re no longer so young.
How wonderful is it to learn or experience new things? It keeps the mind sharp, especially when one’s working life is coming to an end or has already ended. On board, there is always something to discover: knowledge about the art of sailing, the history of the ships, the nature along the coast and at sea, or the dynamics within the group.
Sailing Holidays for Young and Old
Imagine being fit and at an older age—50+, 60+, or even 70+. The best (golden) years of life are far from over. In fact, with the children grown and/or your career fulfilled, this is the perfect time to truly enjoy life—your life! That’s when an exciting sailing holiday with a skipper on a historic yet comfortably equipped sailing ship is ideal. Have you ever tried it? Is it on your bucket list? Our personal advice, even later in life: definitely go for it.
Sailing on historic ships is a team sport—everyone on board has their own strengths and abilities. On deck, everyone lends a hand. Some are young and strong, able to lift or pull a lot. Others may be less physically strong but can make coffee or help the helmsman keep the course. Hoisting the sails can sometimes be quite a task, but as the saying goes, “Many hands make light work”—when we work together, it’s never too hard. Helping out on our ships is very rewarding, but it’s by no means obligatory. Everyone contributes in ways they can. So, for everyone in the group, there are enjoyable tasks to do—useful ones or just fun ones.
Age is therefore rarely a barrier on board! Enjoying the water, the weather, and the breathtaking surroundings is something for people of all ages.
Age is an advantage: calmness, experience, and stories
People who have lived longer often bring a sense of calm to a group. The wildness of their younger years has, over time, transformed into thoughtfulness and the ability to enjoy life at a slower pace. It’s truly wonderful to have a few experienced individuals in a group—they bring calm, balance, and often the most captivating stories.
Taking the time to quietly enjoy everything there is to see and experience is a true gift. It also sets a wonderful example for younger people, who often rush into action. We also often see that experienced individuals help others with their years of knowledge, hobbies, or life wisdom—a real asset to the group.
Sailing at an Older Age: Practical Tips
- Bring appropriate clothing for all expected weather conditions to ensure a comfortable time on board. Warm clothes and good gear to stay dry will keep you comfortable. A ship with a group on board is never as quiet as a house, whether in the harbor or sailing. Some enjoy the lively atmosphere, while others prefer peace and quiet—earplugs can be a real lifesaver for them.
- The ships are large and may lean a bit while sailing, but this is not comparable to a small sailing yacht. In general, the decks and interior spaces are easy to move around on. Handrails or grips are often provided at tricky spots for extra support. A sailing ship experiences less rolling from the water than a motor vessel (e.g., a ferry). The wind in the sails helps the ship stay more stable and glide more smoothly through the water.
- Who is this holiday not suitable for? These holidays are not suitable for people who are very limited in mobility, have serious physical impairments, or are not mentally stable. If you require a lot of assistance at home (such as special medications), you will also need that support on board. It is unreasonable to expect the group to provide this level of help.
- Inform us in advance about any possible limitations or medical conditions so that we can act quickly and accurately in case of an emergency. All captains and crew on board have medical training, ensuring that in extreme situations you are always in good and safe hands. If necessary, with or without external medical advice, you can be brought to the nearest harbor or safely off the ship.
- Ships offering longer voyages, such as an ocean crossing, use a questionnaire and conduct a pre-screening. This ensures that any risk to you or the safety of other guests is eliminated.
Join us, for example, on our 55+ Comfort Sailing Holidays
Would you like to join us on board? Our 55+ Comfort Sailing Holidays might be just the thing for you. Sailing on the Wadden Sea is the perfect way for 55+ travelers to truly experience freedom, nature, and historic ships all in one. In a small, like-minded group, you can enjoy relaxing sailing days, cozy moments on board, delicious meals, and varied destinations such as Texel, Vlieland, and/or Terschelling. Driven by wind and tides, each trip becomes a unique adventure, with highlights like grounding on the mudflats, spotting seals, and endless views over the Wadden Sea.
Do you have specific questions about what is possible on board? Are you limited in any way and coming with a partner, friend, family member, or caregiver? Then contact Rederij van Linschoten. Together, using our years of personal experience, we can determine if there is a trip that is suitable for you or your group.
Here you can find all of our sailing trips. We hope you seize this opportunity for a wonderful new experience in life and sail along with us!