Preparation.

Sailing on Florette is a hands-on experience shaped by wind, weather, and life at sea. A bit of thoughtful preparation goes a long way. This page covers what to arrange before you arrive.

Sailing on Florette is a hands-on experience shaped by wind, weather, and life at sea. A bit of thoughtful preparation goes a long way. This page covers what to arrange before you arrive: travel documents, insurance, packing, flights, and how we communicate while at sea.

Level of Experience

Florette sails year-round and voyages range from coastal passages with regular stops to extended offshore crossings. To help you choose a route that matches your experience, expectations, and comfort at sea, voyages are grouped into four levels based on sailing intensity and time spent underway.

Level 1

No prior sailing experience required. These voyages combine short sailing days with time ashore and overnight anchoring. Participation in sailing activities is optional.

Level 2

Greater involvement on board. Sailing days may be longer and can include night sailing. Suitable for beginners who want to learn basic sailing and navigation while still spending time ashore.

Level 3

Previous time on the water is recommended, depending on route and conditions. Voyages involve longer passages with consecutive days at sea, often overnight. Guests take an active role in sailing, navigation, and may join the watch system.

Level 4

Prior sailing experience strongly recommended. These are extended offshore passages requiring sustained engagement and excelent physical condition. Guests participate fully in all aspects of sailing as a crew.

Depending on your nationality and the countries visited during your voyage, a visa or entry permit may be required. These arrangements are the responsibility of the sailor, so we recommend checking requirements well in advance. If your itinerary includes multiple countries or ports, allow extra time for border and port formalities. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.

All guests must have valid travel insurance that covers sailing, training, and offshore activities. EU guests should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). For voyages outside the EU, proof of insurance may be checked at embarkation.

Your policy must cover:

Medical treatment
Emergency evacuation
Sailing and offshore activities
Travel in remote or maritime environments

Please check your policy, as standard travel insurance often does not cover tallship sailing or offshore activity.

Packing List

Packing

Space on board is limited, so we strongly recommend packing light and bringing only soft bags, which are easier to store below deck.

There are no laundry facilities on board for voyages of one week or less, and only limited options on longer journeys. Please plan to wear and re-wear practical clothing, and pack items that dry quickly.

In general, we recommend bringing:

Wash towel (microfibre works well, lightweight and quick drying)
Swimsuit and swim towel
Lightweight, quick-dry clothes: base layers, fleece, synthetic tops
Layers. It's colder at sea than the forecast suggests
Warm, windproof, waterproof coat
Sunglasses, sun hat, warm hat
Reef safe sun cream and toiletries
Refillable water bottle
If you're taking a hammock berth or sleeping on deck, bring a lightweight sleeping bag
Small first aid kit and any medication you need
Camera or binoculars
Charging cables
EU 2-pin adaptor
Head torch with good battery
A book
Small backpack for going ashore

We have limited storage, so pack light. Everything you bring should earn its space. Conditions vary depending on the season and route, so pack with flexibility in mind and avoid unnecessary items.

Communication

Florette is equipped with onboard communication systems like Starlink and Inmarsat, designed for safety and operational purposes. However, these systems are not intended for public use. Once we leave the coast, mobile reception is often limited or unavailable. During open-sea passages, the ship may be out of range for several days. Even when sailing closer to land, connections can be unstable and may drop without notice.

Life on board offers a unique opportunity to step away from constant connectivity and embrace the freedom of being at sea. We encourage you to inform family and friends in advance that you may be offline for extended periods. In case of urgent matters or emergencies, you can always reach the ship via email or WhatsApp listed bellow.