2025 Sailing Plan

18th April 2025

Cruise with Excelsior down the picturesque River Orwell, starting and finishing at Ipswich. You'll have the opportunity to sail aboard one of the UK's 60 most historic vessels, under the instruction of her professional crew. If you want, you'll help set the sails, handle the rig, and helm the vessel (where appropriate). We'll celebrate the holiday with a special lunch under sail, as we welcome Spring with a taste of Suffolk maritime heritage. 

Suitable for adults and young people aged 13+. (We may be able to make an age exception for a younger child, please get in touch to discuss.)  All profits from the voyage go towards our work as a charity providing lifechanging experiences at sea for young and disadvantaged people.

19TH & 20TH APRIL 2025

Sail with us over the Easter bank holiday weekend and get a taster of an overnight trip aboard Excelsior. We know that committing to a big voyage is challenging if you don’t know what you’re getting yourself in for, so we’re offering a gentle introduction, with the chance for a 10% discount when you book any of our longer voyages in 2025. Depart Ipswich on the Saturday for a scenic cruise down the River Orwell, head out to open sea, and spend a sheltered night at anchor in a spot on the Suffolk or Essex coasts. Return to Ipswich on Sunday afternoon after some excellent food and team-building. Suitable for adults and young people 14+. Group discounts upon enquiry. 

21ST-26TH MAY 2025

Combining a North Sea sailing adventure with one of Belgium's most vibrant maritime festivals. Oostende voor Anker is an extravaganza of beautiful traditional sailing ships, maritime crafts, and music including sea shanties. During the weekend you'll have access to an amazing array of culture, food, and of course first class Belgian beer. Tired of the festival? The city of Bruges is a short train ride away for a day excursion full of beautiful historic architecture, canals, and European class. 

You'll join the boat on the morning of the 21st, receive your briefings, and get to know your fellow crewmates. When you're ready, you'll head out to sea, set the sails, and make our big North Sea crossing (passing windfarms and other maritime landmarks along the way). After around 24 hours at sea (experiencing a night watch, navigation and sail handling, and all the challenges of domestic life at sea), you'll be rewarded with a sight of the Belgian coast, and a warm welcome to the festival. You'll meet fellow sailors and show off our fantastic ship as you relax and enjoy the party. At the end of the weekend, you'll do the crossing again, now a tight-knit crew. Disembarkation is in the afternoon of the 26th May.

Suitable for adults, young people aged 16+ will be considered.

29th June - 6th July 2025

Sail with Excelsior from Lowestoft to this year's Tall Ships Races kick-off in Le Havre, France. Depending on the weather, you'll sail the English and French coasts, and either make a North Sea or English Channel crossing to Normandy's largest city. Le Havre is bustling modern port, magnificently regenerated after its devastation during WWII. The city boasts iconic architectural heritage, a thriving cultural scene and is of course situated along the scenic Normandy coast. As part of the trip, you will get the opportunity to take part in all the festivities associated with the Tall Ships Races, including the Crew Parade and Crew Party (and more besides). Tall Ships, traditional ships and sail training vessels from all over Europe and beyond take part in this event, making it a spectacular festival for boat-lovers. 

There is no age restriction to take part in these events, so this voyage is open to adults and young people aged 14+.  

6th - 12th July 2025

Join us for Race 1 of the Tall Ships Races, where we will be among a fleet of the world's most spectacular sailing tall ships, taking part in one of European sailing's most exciting international youth festivals. This leg will be a real French cultural experience for those sailing with Excelsior, as we plan to host an international crew of trainees and take in two of France's iconic ports.  Le Havre is bustling modern port, magnificently regenerated after its devastation during WWII. The city boasts iconic architectural heritage, a thriving cultural scene and is of course situated along the scenic Normandy coast. Dunkirk brings you impressive beaches and many collections of contemporary and classical art, close to the Belgian border. As well as competing in the race, you will also have the opportunity to take part in all the festivities associated with the Tall Ships Races, including the Crew Parade and Crew Party (and more besides).

Due to racing requirements, the age range for this trip is 15-25.

12th - 21st July 2025

Join us for Race 2 of the Tall Ships Races, where we will be among a fleet of the world's most spectacular sailing tall ships, taking part in one of European sailing's most exciting international youth festivals. This slightly longer leg, with its epic coastal run up to Scotland's major east coast port, gives the perfect opportunity to thoroughly become part of the ship. Dunkirk brings you impressive beaches close to the Belgian border, whilst Aberdeen promises to unleash the full might of Scottish culture for some fantastic music and parties. As well as competing in the race, you will also have the opportunity to take part in all the festivities associated with the Tall Ships Races, including the Crew Parade and Crew Party (and more besides).

Due to racing requirements, the age range for this trip is 15-25.

21st July - 1st August 2025

Join us for an amalgamated Race 3 and Cruise-in-Company of the Tall Ships Races, where we will be among a fleet of the world's most spectacular sailing tall ships, taking part in one of European sailing's most exciting international youth festivals. This 12-day voyage combines the excitement of a racing leg with the camaraderie among fellow vessels and exploratory spirit of a cruise-in-company. You'll have the chance to really get to know the boat, and explore the coasts of Denmark and Norway. Aberdeen, known as the Granite City, is one of Scotland's most important ports and famous for its grand and ornate architecture. Kristiansand is a cosmopolitan and picturesque city in southern Norway, combining urban café culture with palm tree beaches. As well as competing in the race, you will also have the opportunity to take part in all the festivities associated with the Tall Ships Races, including the Crew Parade and Crew Party (and more besides).

Whilst the normal age range for Tall Ships Races is 15-25, we are excited to offer a limited number of places on this leg to 'young at heart' adults over 25. Please get in touch for more information.

1st - 8th August 2025

Join us for the final leg of the Tall Ships Races, where we will be among a fleet of the world's most spectacular sailing tall ships, taking part in one of European sailing's most exciting international youth festivals. This leg is short but dramatic, bringing with it all the emotion of the end of the festival. We will sail from Kristiansand, Southern Norway's cosmopolitan yet picturesque holiday city, to Esbjerg, one of Denmark's most important commercial ports. As well as competing in the race, you will also have the opportunity to take part in all the festivities associated with the Tall Ships Races, including the Crew Parade and Crew Party (and more besides).

Whilst the normal age range for Tall Ships Races is 15-25, we are excited to offer a limited number of places on this leg to 'young at heart' adults over 25. Please get in touch for more information.

8TH - 14TH SEPTEMBER 2025

Sail with Excelsior in the Limfjorden Rundt 2025. It's one of the Nordic region's biggest races for wooden sailing ships and we are very excited to be taking part once more. About 65 former commercial vessels join in, visiting the harbours of Løgstør, Thisted, Struer, Nykøbing Mors, Fur and Skive around the spectacular Limfjord in Denmark. Most of the participating boats are Danish, Norwegian or Swedish, so this is a brilliant opportunity to bask in Scandinavian culture and party Nordic-style in each port. There are no tides or large swell in the Limfjord, so you will experience dreamy flat-water sailing and an incredible view of the other ships as we jostle for place in the tight fjords. It's an experience like no other. You'll have loads of fun, make lots of international friends, experience community festivities and enjoy the scenery of one of the prettiest parts of Denmark.

This trip is more geared at over 18s, but is suitable for any age 14+