Vessel type · Traditional sailing ships & tall ships
Cabin Charter on Traditional Sailing Ships and Tall Ships
On a traditional sailing ship or tall ship you don't travel as a passenger but are part of the crew: setting sails, standing watch, helping in the galley. You usually don't need any sailing experience, as the permanent crew will show you the ropes.
Updated: 2 November 2026 · Redaktion toernfinder.de
from 18 providers compared
The essentials at a glance
Season
all year round, most dates in May and August
Duration
From day trips to several weeks
Most common departure ports
Kiel, Enkhuizen, Rostock, Flensburg and Oban
Requirements
No sailing experience needed
Week-long trip per person
mostly 700–2,600 €
Current sailing trips on traditional sailing ships and tall ships
Here you can see a changing selection of current sailing trips on traditional ships and tall ships. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider.
What can you expect on board?
On a traditional sailing ship or tall ship you are part of the crew. You pull on the lines, stand watch and help in the galley. The permanent crew will explain every step to you.
You usually sleep in a bunk in a multi-berth cabin, and there are often 20 or more guests on board. Exactly how watches, bunks and luggage work is explained in the guide Life aboard a traditional sailing ship.
Traditional sailing ship or tall ship: what's the difference?
Traditional sailing ships are historic sailing vessels or replicas that are preserved and shown under sail. Tall ship describes above all the size and rigging of a ship, not its age.
On Törnfinder you'll find both under one filter, because the experience on board is similar: a large crew, plenty of hands-on involvement, and a ship that won't sail without many hands.
- Flat-bottomed ships: flat-bottomed cargo sailers such as the Tjalk or Klipper, typical of the IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea. They can dry out and anchor in shallow bays.
- Gaff schooners and fishing cutters: former cargo and fishing vessels, often found in the Baltic Sea and North Sea.
- Square riggers and windjammers: large ships with square sails on several masts. You can go aloft into the rigging here too, but only if you want to and are secured.
Törnfinder data
Sailing Trips on Traditional Sailing Ships and Tall Ships in Numbers
Analysed: all trips on tall ships and traditional ships published on Törnfinder. As of: 13.11.2026.
Most common departure ports
- 1Kiel36 trips
- 2Enkhuizen22 trips
- 3Rostock22 trips
- 4Flensburg20 trips
- 5Oban15 trips
39 %of trips last 7–8 days
45 %are round trips, start and finish in the same port
88different departure ports
44countries on offer, led by Germany and Denmark
200 nmcovered by a typical week-long trip
As of 13.11.2026: Törnfinder lists around 330 Tall ship trips from 18 providers. 45 % are round trips with the same start and end port. Most trips start in Kiel, Enkhuizen and Rostock, and most departures are in May and August.
How these figures are calculated
The analysis covers all sailing trips published on Törnfinder with the ship type traditional sailing ship or tall ship and a start date from today onwards; the figures are recalculated twice a day. Prices are the providers' figures per person; private yacht charter with skipper offers, which are priced per vessel, are not included in the prices. “Usually” refers to the middle half of the offers; the cheapest and the most expensive quarters are left out. The starting harbour is the departure harbour given in the listing, and a round trip is a sailing trip with the same departure and destination harbour. The texts on this page are written and checked by the editorial team at toernfinder.de.
Where Traditional Sailing Ships and Tall Ships Sail
Of the Tall ship trips published here, around 40 % call at ports in Germany and around 25 % at ports in Denmark; others go to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Portugal.
In summer the ships are mainly out on the Baltic Sea , for example from Kiel, Flensburg or Rostock to the Danish South Sea Islands. On the IJsselmeer and in the Wadden Sea, many flat-bottomed ships sail from Enkhuizen and Harlingen, while on the North Sea they go as far as Scotland and Norway. In winter some tall ships move to the Atlantic, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean, some with a an Atlantic crossing in between.
Cabin Charter at Hanse Sail, Kieler Woche and the Windjammer Parade
At the big harbour festivals, many traditional sailing ships offer day trips. This is a good way to start: you get to know a ship without having to book a whole week straight away.
The Hanse Sail takes place in Rostock every August, and the Kiel Week in June, with the Windjammer Parade on the Kiel Fjord. Places on the day trips are often taken quickly, so it pays to book early.
Sailing Trips to Hanse SailSailing Trips to Kieler WocheEvent Sailing
When Traditional Sailing Ships Are at Sea
The main season on the Baltic Sea and North Sea runs from spring to autumn. In winter, some tall ships sail in the south.
When the trips start
Most Tall ship trips start in May and August. Trips are available all year round.
21
Jan18
Feb28
Mar32
Apr45
May39
Jun43
Jul48
Aug20
Sep14
Oct5
Nov15
DecAll sailing trips on traditional sailing ships and tall ships published on Törnfinder for the next twelve months. As of: 13.11.2026.
What Does a Sailing Trip on a Traditional Sailing Ship Cost?
A week on a traditional sailing ship or tall ship usually costs 700–2,600 € per person, with a day on board costing around 140 € on average. Day trips start from 70–95 €.
| Trip duration | Price per person (usually) | per day | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip | 70–95 € | around 80 € | 19 |
| 2–3 days | 330–390 € | around 130 € | 20 |
| 4–6 days | 560–950 € | around 140 € | 66 |
| 7–9 days, week-long trip | 700–2,600 € | around 160 € | 145 |
| 10–15 days | 1,800–5,200 € | around 180 € | 64 |
| 16 days or more | 4,100–7,100 € | around 200 € | 16 |
| Week-long trip on a traditional vessel | 700–2,600 € | around 150 € | 145 |
"Usually" means: the middle half of all offers falls within this range; the cheapest and most expensive quarters are not included. Click on the duration to see the corresponding trips.
On top of the trip price come travel costs and usually the ship's kitty for food, harbour fees and diesel. The box shows what typically belongs in it.
What's included in the price and what goes into the crew kitty
Included in the trip price
- Your bunk on board
- The vessel
- The skipper
Usually via the crew kitty
- Food
- Hafengeld
- Diesel
Usually around 150–300 € per person per week, depending on what the group agrees, for example whether restaurant visits are included. On some boats, meals are already included in the price.
It is best to clarify in advance with the provider exactly what is included.
Countries with the most trips
With the usual weekly price and the next departure. Each card shows the matching trips there.
Germany
124 trips
next departure 24.03.2027
week usually 640–990 € per person
Show trips →Denmark
89 trips
next departure 24.03.2027
week usually 640–990 € per person
Show trips →the Netherlands
51 trips
next departure 12.12.2026
week usually 690–730 € per person
Show trips →Popular trip types
Besides classic crew trips, these trip types are offered most often here.
Event sailing
41 trips
By ship to Hanse Sail, Kiel Week and other harbour festivals.
next departure 28.12.2026
week usually 790–2,700 € per person
Show trips →Family sailing
30 trips
Short legs and swim stops, children are welcome.
next departure 01.04.2027
week usually 680–700 € per person
Show trips →Mileage-building
16 trips
Long passages with night sailing, many miles in a short time.
next departure 09.03.2027
week usually 920–990 € per person
Show trips →Frequently Asked Questions About Cabin Charter on Traditional Sailing Ships
Short answers to the questions that come up most often before a first sailing trip on a large sailing ship.
What does a sailing trip on a tall ship cost?
A week usually costs 700–2,600 € per person; day trips start from 70–95 €. On many ships, meals are included in the price; this is stated in the trip description.
What is the difference between a traditional sailing ship and a tall ship?
A traditional sailing ship is a historic sailing vessel or a replica that is preserved and shown under sail. Tall ship describes above all the size and rigging. A tall ship can be a traditional ship, but also a sail training ship or a modern replica.
Where can I go on a cabin charter aboard a traditional sailing ship?
Most sailing trips start on the German Baltic Sea coast, in Denmark and in the Netherlands, for example in Kiel, Flensburg, Rostock or Enkhuizen. In winter, some tall ships sail in the Canary Islands and the Caribbean.
Is food included in the price?
On many traditional ships it is, often as full board, with guests helping out in the galley. Whether drinks, bed linen or harbour fees cost extra is stated in the sailing trip description.
Are there day trips on traditional sailing ships?
Yes, especially at harbour festivals such as the Hanse Sail in Rostock or the Kieler Woche. In summer, many ships also offer day sailing trips from their home port.
Find Your Sailing Trip on a Traditional Sailing Ship
Use the filter to search by sailing area, date and duration, and send your enquiry directly to the provider.