FAQ sailing trips and cruises

During the first days at sea, some travellers may experience sea sickness. This is not, in fact, a sickness, but a normal bodily reaction to being in an unfamiliar environment. It is nothing serious and will disappear of its own accord. Although it is not possible to predict whether it will affect any individual, certain precautions can be taken, for example by avoiding fatigue, hunger and cold. We also advise you to eat and drink well, and to go steady with coffee and alcohol. Taking anti-sea sickness medication beforehand can help. (Primatour, for example, can be obtained without a prescription from Dutch chemists/pharmacies.) During trips lasting longer than a few days, there will be a physician on board, who will be able to supply suitable medication. If you have any questions, feel free to approach the manager. 

It is practical to bring along a flexible weekender or holdall bag for your belongings, as this is easier to store in your cabin than a rigid suitcase.
On embarkation, you will find your bed made and towels present. Clean towels and bed linen are always available. 
On our luxury cruises, beach towels are available for you and there is snorkelling gear on board for use. 
On both our adventurous sailing trips and on the luxury cruises, bath & shower products are available in your cabin. You will also find a hairdryer in your cabin.

For crossings and different destinations we made a little temperature overview. Hopefully this makes it a little easier to pack. 

Average temperatures
- on the crossing to the Caribbean (Nov/Dec): 15 °C to 25 °C
- on the crossing back to Europe (April/May): 0°C to 20°C
- on adventurous sailing in the Mediterranean (June, July): 15 °C to 25 °C
- on adventurous sailing trips in northern Europe (August, Sept.): 10°C to 20 °C - on adventurous sailing trips from NL to Portugal/Spain (Oct./Nov) 5°C – 20°C
- Luxury cruises Caribbean (January, February): 15 °C to 25 °C

For more information, please have a look at: https://www.climate-charts.com. On this website, climate data of the whole world can be obtained.

The temperature (especially the felt temperature) also depends on wind and precipitation. To be safe, the best thing is to bring clothes for adverse weather (lower temperatures than expected). Also a sun hat and sun protection, and rain gear for wet days. 

There is no particular reason to bring a formal dress such as suits or evening wear other than when you like to wear it.
Having laundry done on board is possible if there is a special need.

Don’t forget to bring along valid travel documents and sufficient cash. 
It is not permitted to take alcoholic beverages on board as this can lead to clearing difficulties at certain foreign ports. Beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages can be purchased at the ship’s bar.  

The guideline is: you can do whatever you like, there are no obligations. The most important thing is to enjoy your sailing trip on our historic clipper.
For those who’d like to get involved, our professional and enthusiastic crew is more than ready to instruct you in hoisting and setting sail, bracing and folding.
The ship’s crew stands to watch in three shifts. These shifts are called the Red Watch (from 12- 4 AM and PM), the White Watch (from 4-8 AM and PM), and the Blue Watch (from 8-12 AM and PM). We welcome you to join one of these watches.

The luxury cruise
We organise luxury cruises from November to March in warm sailing regions, such as the Caribbean. Because Stad Amsterdam can dock in small bays, we can take you to many unspoiled, idyllic spots that would otherwise be unreachable. The cruises combine sailing with on-shore outings. You can take a jeep tour, go snorkelling, enjoy a beach barbecue and much more. Three-course dinners are of the highest quality and served or presented as a buffet. Your cabin is cleaned every day. Would you like to treat yourself to an unforgettable holiday aboard Holland’s most beautiful ship? Then our luxury cruise is the choice for you.   
 
The adventure cruise
Adventure cruises cater to the sailing enthusiast. In spring, we offer adventurous Mediterranean journeys, in the summer we sail through the Gulf of Biscay and North Sea, to reach our home port in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. You can board at different times and locations, and sail non-stop from point of origin to our destination. Regardless of previous experience, you might want to join the crew on guard duty or lend a hand with the sailing. Our crew is highly experienced and happy to let you join in. Participating in in the watch is particularly recommended, and a great way to experience sailing on a historic vessel. However, all activity is optional. 
Would you like to just lie back, relax and enjoy a sailing trip on a unique, historic clipper? No problem! 
Meals are taken together with the crew in the clipper’s long room. Mealtimes are adjusted to the watch schedule. 
If you’ve always dreamt of actively taking to the the seas on a unique, square-rigged three-master, or if you’d simply like to kick back and enjoy an unforgettable experience, the adventure cruise would be the perfect choice.

Travel plans are as variable as passengers. Some people arrive a week prior to departure, others stay on at the point of arrival after the trip. That’s why we do not offer exclusive flights and transfer options with our sailing voyages. This affords you complete freedom to schedule your trip to and from our destination, in accordance with your plans.

When clearing at a foreign port, immigrations officials may wish to inspect disembarking passengers’ return flight tickets.
Please contact the embassy in your home country with regards to applying for any required visas.

Yes, each cabin has a number of power outlets. These are of the standard Dutch (European) F-connector type and rated at 230v.

The ship is equipped with modern communication devices but being at sea does impose certain limitations. Cell phones may function up to 3 miles from the coast. Internet availability depends on the position of the sails and the antenna. When necessary (urgent) a telephone call (€ 2,50 per minute) and/or sending an email is possible by means of a satellite connection. There is a VSAT installation facilitating WIFI connectivity on board our ship as well. The shipping company offers each guest 50 MB per day to send and/or receive data. It is possible to buy extra MBs for internet use on board. The connection will be slower than what you are used to ashore and depending on the ship’s course, the VSAT may not make a connection with the satellite sometimes. An internet connection is therefore not always guaranteed. 

We advise you to install the app called "XChange Data" on your mobile device at home * in case you consider the use of paid internet. This app is a data and internet access service provided by Marlink SAS which helps to manage your data communication via satellite and the app offers you the possibility to create your own (easier to remember) password. You can download the app from the Apple Store or Android Store. 

There is no need to use this app at home, and you can close it if you wish. Your phone is now ready to be connected to the WiFi on board by the administrator (1st officer).

Is it not possible to reach someone on board? 
On working days, emails intended for passengers can also be sent to: sales@stadamsterdam.nl. This email can’t have attachments and must clearly state the name of the intended recipient. Costs amount to € 1,25 per message. 

In case of an emergency, calls may be transferred to the shipping office. Outside office hours an emergency number can be reached, which is listed in your travel documents. Family and friends back home can follow your voyage on our Facebook page.

 

* The Internet is needed to download the app onto your phone, and the app is needed to access the Internet on board. The app can be downloaded at home with WIFI much more quickly and it will not be at the expense of your internet credit on board for which you have to pay.

Yes, this option is always available. Also, you are free to share a cabin - and split the cost - with any other guest traveling alone.

During the welcome speech the first officer will explain about safety on board. Please be aware that a ship is in motion and therefore things can topple or slide and doors can slam shut. It is advisable to store your belongings and to keep doors closed.

Guests and crew use all meals together in the longroom. Meals will be served in self-servicebuffet style in two shifts (in accordance with the watch system).

Meals schedule:
07:30 and 08:00 breakfast
10:00 SmoKo (coffee break)
11:30 and 12:00 lunch
15:00 SmoKo (coffee break)
17:30 and 18:00 dinner

On this trip breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Juices, coffee, tea and milk during these meals, 2 coffee breaks and fresh fruits are also free of charge. Any other refreshments like drinks, candy bars or snacks will be put on your personal bar tab. Your bar tab for these extras can be met at the end of the trip. 

Breakfast: Breads, cold cuts, yogurt, muesli, sweet spreads, eggs, juices, coffee, tea and milk.
Lunch: Breads, cold cuts, sweet spreads, soup or a warm snack and a salad, juices, coffee, tea and milk.
Dinner: We serve simple & nutritious dinners such as pastas, Indian curries, fish and stews. All meals contain fresh vegetables. Our desserts are for instance fruits, ice-creams, custard or pudding. 

The meals described may vary depending on the weather conditions & local provisions supplied.

When booking the trip we ask you to fill out a Health Statement. The ship’s doctor may contact you to discuss the particulars if there is a necessity for it. In case of strong suspicion of an extremely limited physical condition and the risk this involves, the ship’s doctor can
advise the captain to exclude the passenger from the trip. The final decision is made by the captain.
The ship is equipped with a small infirmary. At embarkation our ship’s doctor needs to be fully informed about medical complications and/or the use of medication in order to be able to take this into account in case of eventualities.

During the voyage, you will stay in one of our 14 cabins. These cabins all have a porthole and multiple single beds. Some cabins are equipped with double beds and, when available, can be booked by paying a surcharge.