Shanty voyage to the Shetlands on STATSRAAD LEHMKUHL

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The crew on board is international, so English is predominantly spoken.

Shanty voyage to the Shetlands

A singing ship is a happy ship!

In spring 2027 we cross the North Sea once again — a long-awaited return to the Shetland Folk Festival! We invite sailing enthusiasts and music lovers of all ages to come aboard. Look forward to a voyage filled with sailing adventures, singing, festival atmosphere and true seamanship!

Itinerary:

Wednesday, 28 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
Friday, 30 April, 10:00: Arrival in Lerwick, Shetland
Two days alongside in Lerwick during the Shetland Folk Festival
Sunday, 2 May, 10:00: Departure from Lerwick
Two days at sea towards Bergen
Tuesday, 4 May, 10:00: Arrival in Bergen

Sailing and Singing

As part of the crew, on this voyage you will learn not only how to sail, but also how to sing traditional sea shanties! Our shanty leader is Haakon Vatle, frontman of the Storm Weather Shanty Choir and managing director of the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation.

On a voyage aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl you quickly become an active member of the crew. You stand watches, handle lines, take the helm, keep lookout and sleep in a hammock — just like your fellow sailors. Anyone who wishes can even climb the rigging — for many an absolute highlight of the voyage!

You need neither sailing experience nor a particularly good singing voice to take part in this "shanty voyage" — the most important thing is that you want to be part of the community on board!

Experiencing Shetland

In Lerwick we remain alongside on Friday and Saturday whilst the Shetland Folk Festival fills the town with music and a lively atmosphere. A wide selection of concerts and jam sessions awaits you, with first-rate folk musicians from many countries. Often our fellow travellers join in the music at one of the local pubs with one of the newly learnt shanties! As we are alongside for two days, there is also time to explore the wild and beautiful landscape of the Shetland Islands — for anyone who wishes.

Homeward Bound

After two days in Lerwick we set sail again for Bergen. Two more days at sea lie ahead — with watches, shanties and good company — before we arrive in Bergen on Tuesday morning. Weather permitting, the crew will strike up shanties from the yards during our entry into Bergen!

Phone-Free Time at Sea

The crew on board have no access to the ship's Wi-Fi, and once we are at sea there is no mobile phone reception either. You can switch off with a clear conscience — and immerse yourself fully in the here and now, enjoy the experience and engage completely with the people around you.

Additional information

What is included in the voyage ticket?

- All meals on board: breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a simple snack for the night watch. A small snack is also served with afternoon coffee (around 15:00).
- Accommodation in hammocks in the communal 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 ticket for the voyage?

Travel to and from the ports is not included. We recommend allowing a buffer of at least six hours between the stated arrival time and any onward travel.
Tickets for the Shetland Folk Festival are not included.

Passport and entry requirements: All participants must hold a valid passport. An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is also required for entry to the United Kingdom.

Travel insurance: Valid travel insurance is required.

Age requirements

Minimum age: 12 years. Participants aged 12 to 14 must travel accompanied by a parent or guardian. From age 15 independent travel is possible.
Participants over 70 years of age must provide a signed medical certificate (form available on request).

Travel information and packing list: Well in advance of departure you will receive a letter with practical information, including a packing list, details of the berth and a link to the handbook for your stay on board.

Catering: We cater for dietary requirements as far as practically possible (vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free). Please state any special dietary needs in the comment field of your ticket after booking. Unfortunately we cannot offer purely vegan catering.

If you suffer from severe food allergies or have further questions about catering on board, please get in touch with us.

Meals are served as usual even whilst the ship is alongside in Lerwick.

Sleeping in hammocks: Participants sleep in hammocks which are slung side by side in the two communal sleeping quarters (banjers) below deck.

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 stated at the time of booking. We endeavour to accommodate these but cannot guarantee that everyone will get their preference. Groups travelling together are given priority in the allocation. Whilst the ship is alongside in Lerwick, the voyage crew are relieved of watch duty.

Going aloft and physical requirements: To climb the rigging you must meet the following safety requirements:

- One pull-up + 10 seconds' free hang = full access to the rigging, including the bowsprit
- 10 seconds' free hang (without pull-up) = access to the lower parts of the rigging
- If you cannot hang freely for 10 seconds, you will not be permitted access to 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: There is a strict ban on alcohol and other intoxicants on board – even whilst the ship is in harbour. The only exceptions are specially designated events.

As much sailing as possible: Our aim is to sail as much as possible; however, wind and weather ultimately determine the conditions at sea. Occasionally it may therefore be necessary to use the engine to avoid bad weather or to keep to the planned arrival time.

Memories for life: So if you are looking for a quiet holiday without great or defining experiences, this voyage is probably not right for you. We offer an active and exciting voyage, characterised by unique physical experiences and new friendships. The sense of achievement from working with sails and rigging, combined with wonderful natural experiences on the open sea, creates feelings and memories that last a lifetime!

The ship: The "Statsraad Lehmkuhl" is in service all year round and built for sailing on the open sea. For more than a hundred years she has served under the Norwegian flag as a training ship. She is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sailing ships in the world and is often referred to as "the pride of Bergen". The Lehmkuhl Foundation places great importance on keeping the ship in first-class condition at all times.