Spring voyage to the Shetlands on the STATSRAAD LEHMKUHL

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(The crew on board is international; therefore English is mainly spoken.)

Spring voyage to the Shetland Islands 2027

Come with us on a five-day spring voyage across the North Sea! We set course from Bergen for Lerwick in the Shetland Islands – with two days at sea each way for the outward and return journeys and one day in port at Lerwick. Underway you become an active member of the crew: you sleep in a hammock and learn to sail on board Norway's largest and most beautiful tall ship.

Itinerary:

Tuesday 6 April, 08:15: Embarkation and check-in in Bergen
10:00: Check-in closes
14:00: Departure from Bergen
Two days at sea towards Lerwick
Thursday 8 April: Arrival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands
One day in Lerwick harbour
Friday 9 April: Departure from Lerwick
Two days at sea towards Bergen
Sunday 11 April, 10:00: Arrival in Bergen

Straight out to sea – straight into adventure

From Bergen it's not far to the open sea. After just a few hours we pass the Marstein lighthouse; the coast disappears behind us and the North Sea spreads out before us. Now life on board really begins.

You don't need any prior sailing experience to join us. Our professional crew will teach you everything from scratch, and together with your fellow sailors you'll quickly become an active part of life on board.

Real seamanship

The Statsraad Lehmkuhl was built in 1914, and many of the tasks on board are still carried out today just as they were when the ship was new. It takes many hands and good teamwork to sail a 98-metre barque!

As part of the voyage crew you'll be in the thick of it from day one. You'll be assigned to a permanent watch team and stand two four-hour watches every 24 hours. You'll learn how to handle ropes and sails, operate the helm and keep lookout. If you wish, you can also challenge yourself and climb the rigging. It's entirely voluntary, but for many it becomes one of the highlights of the voyage.

On board we work hand in hand and share both the tasks and the experiences. We eat together and sleep side by side in hammocks. At sea the ship becomes a close community where everyone contributes and looks out for one another. It's uncomplicated, convivial and refreshingly down-to-earth.

A day in Lerwick

After two days at sea we reach Lerwick – the only town in the Shetland Islands and a popular "second home port" for the Statsraad Lehmkuhl. The ship stays in harbour for a day, giving you time to go ashore and explore the town and islands on your own.

Lerwick is a small, charming harbour town with strong historical ties to Norway. You can explore the town centre on foot, visit shops, pubs and cafés, or venture further afield to experience the beautiful, rugged landscape of the Shetland Islands.

We sail homewards

After a day in Lerwick we set sail again and cross the North Sea. By now you know the ship, your tasks and your watch team better – now it's time to put what you've learnt into practice!

Two more eventful days at sea lie ahead before the Norwegian coast comes back into view. Perhaps you'll be at the helm when land appears on the horizon, or you'll help to furl the sails – during your last watch before Bergen.

Digital detox on the North Sea

As part of the crew you have no access to Wi-Fi on board, and once we're out on the North Sea there's no mobile signal either. It's a rare opportunity to put your smartphone aside, slow down and be completely in the here and now. A few days without notifications, constant scrolling or the pressure to be contactable at all times can be a very special experience.

Spring at sea

April on the North Sea can deliver striking contrasts. You may experience sunshine and calm seas, rain and spray, or fresh winds – exactly the weather for which the Statsraad Lehmkuhl was built. Out here you can experience the vastness of the sea and the changing of the seasons in a way that's hardly possible on an ordinary holiday.

Five days later we're back in Bergen – with new skills, new companions on board and many wonderful memories of the North Sea and the Shetland Islands.

Welcome aboard!

Additional information

What is included in the voyage ticket?

- All meals on board: breakfast, lunch and dinner plus a simple snack for the night watch. A small snack is also served with afternoon coffee. Meals continue to be served on board as usual even whilst the ship is in harbour in Lerwick.
- Accommodation in hammocks in shared sleeping quarters (known as "banjers"). No cabins are available.
- The ship has good sanitary facilities with separate, recently refurbished washrooms for women and men, as well as individual toilet and shower cubicles.

What is not included in the voyage ticket?

Travel to and from the harbours is not included. We recommend allowing a buffer of at least six hours between your planned arrival time and any onward journey.

Passport and entry requirements: All participants must hold a valid passport. An identity card is not sufficient. Entry to the United Kingdom also requires an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation).

Travel insurance: Valid travel insurance is required.

Travel information and packing list: In good time before departure you will receive practical information, including a packing list, details of the vessel's berth and a link to the handbook.

Age restrictions

Minimum age: 12 years. Participants aged 12 to 14 must travel accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Participants aged 15 and over may travel independently.
Participants over 70 must provide a medical certificate (form available on request).

Sleeping in hammocks: Participants sleep in hammocks hung side by side in our two communal sleeping quarters below deck.

Catering: We accommodate dietary requirements as far as practically possible – including vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten-free diets. Please specify any requirements in the comments field of your ticket after booking. Unfortunately we cannot provide purely vegan catering. If you have severe food allergies or further questions about catering on board, please contact us.

Watch system: As part of the ship's voyage crew you will keep two fixed four-hour watches daily:

Red watch: 12:00–16:00 / 00:00–04:00
White watch: 04:00–08:00 / 16:00–20:00
Blue watch: 08:00–12:00 / 20:00–00:00

Preferences for a particular watch may be indicated at the time of booking. We endeavour to accommodate these but cannot guarantee that everyone will be assigned their preferred watch. Groups travelling together will be given priority in the allocation.

While the vessel is in harbour at Lerwick, the voyage crew is relieved of watch duties.

Physical requirements for access to the rigging:

- Full access to the rigging: Either 1 regular pull-up or 5 "Bravo" pull-ups, followed by 10 seconds of free hanging by the arms.
- Restricted access: 10 seconds of free hanging by the arms qualifies for access to the lower shrouds, the lower yards (up to the first platform but not beyond) and the bowsprit.
- Anyone unable to meet the requirement of hanging freely for 10 seconds may unfortunately not enter the rigging.

Wi-Fi and mobile reception: Wi-Fi is not available for the voyage crew. The vessel's permanent crew is in daily contact with the shore and can pass on important messages if necessary. A satellite telephone is available on board for emergencies. Power points for charging electronic devices are available on board.

Alcohol and drugs: A strict ban on alcohol and other intoxicants applies on board – even while the ship is in harbour – except on specially designated occasions.

Memories for life: So if you are looking for a quiet holiday without any particular or formative experiences, this voyage is probably not for you. We offer an active and exciting journey with unique physical experiences and the opportunity to make new friendships. The sense of achievement from working with sails and rigging, combined with wonderful experiences of nature on the open sea, creates feelings and memories that last a lifetime!

The vessel: STATSRAAD LEHMKUHL is in service all year round and built for sailing on the open sea. She has served as a training ship under the Norwegian flag for more than a hundred years. She is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sailing vessels in the world and is often called "The Pride of Bergen". The Lehmkuhl Foundation places great emphasis on keeping the vessel in first-class condition at all times.