Join Excelsior for a unique 2-week expedition (13th-27th June) from one the UK's most northern outposts ( Lerwick), to the heart of the Baltic ( Klaipeda). Depending on wind direction and sea conditions, we will call in on the southwest coast of Norway, and pass by Denmark, Sweden and Poland, before making our final port in Lithuania. Weather and time permitting, we plan to make the party of the decade as we pay a visit to the small Norwegian island that had formerly been Excelsior's home, Svinør.  Expect several nights at sea and a real sense of adventure.

Not ready to do 2 weeks? We have an option to do half the trip, via our halfway stop in Gothenburg, See other listings for more information

Klaipėda is a port city in Lithuania, where the Baltic Sea meets the Danė River. The old town features German-style, 18th-century wood-framed buildings. Theater Square, the city’s main gathering spot, is home to the neoclassical Drama Theater. The square’s 1912 Taravos Anikė sculpture pays tribute to a local poet. The waterside Lithuanian Sea Museum includes dolphin shows and maritime exhibits in a 19th-century fort. The nearest airport to Klaipeda is Palanga International Airport, situated 25 km away from Klaipeda.

More information on available services visit the website. There are also coach connections from Vilnius and Kaunas airports to Klaipeda city. The journey time takes from 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours.

In 2024 Klaipeda will host the first leg of the famous Tall Ships Races, which Excelsior will be competing in. As part of her arrival crew in the port at the start of the festivities, you will have the chance to experience the festival from the centre of the action. Around 100 tall ships from all over Europe and beyond will meet for this exciting event. Depending on timing, you will have the chance to visit the other ships and meet the other crews. Though your journey with Excelsior may end on the 27th June, why not stay on and experience the Tall Ships Festival a few days longer? Find out more about the event here.

This journey is one of Excelsior's biggest adventures of the season. Before we set out, we'll give you a thorough briefing on what to expect and how to operate the rig, whilst you get to know your shipmates. You'll learn about planning the navigation, and the intricacies of what's happening with the weather. You'll be divided into your watches, and each team will be responsible for one of 3 4-hour shifts sailing the vessel (helming, navigating, and managing the sail plan), as well as preparing meals for the rest of the crew, and keeping Excelsior shipshape. The voyage begins with a North Sea Crossing, taking 2 or 3 days to sail from Shetland to Norway. Then you'll perform a series of smaller hops as you make your way through the Skagerrak, followed by the Kattegat, making for the Baltic sea. The mid-way point for the voyage will be Gothenburg in Sweden, where we can change crews if necessary. We then have a week's cruise among the Baltic islands, before ending up in Klaipeda. 

All meals on board are provided, but please let us know of any dietary restrictions in good time so that we can prepare. You'll need to bring with you plenty of warm clothes (including gloves and a hat and wellies, although we can provide some wet weather gear), and a sleeping bag and pillow-case. A full kit list will be issued before the trip.