We love the news this weekend that a group of teenagers has reached land in the Netherlands after being forced to sail home across the Atlantic from a study semester on board one of our operators, Wylde Swan, in the Caribbean.

Amongst all the doom and gloom of covid-19 there have been so many stories of hope and inspiration – from borderless love, acts of kindness and determination to go above and beyond.

The group, aged 14-17, set sail from Cuba in mid-March after their six week sail-study program in the region was interrupted by the covid-19 pandemic and after it became clear they could no longer fly home from Cuba as they’d planned. They were on board Wylde Swan, one of our favourite tall ships, a beautiful vessel built in 1920.

It was decided that the tall ship, including three teachers and 12 experienced sailors, would have to sail back across the Atlantic, a 7,000 kilometre trip that took them five weeks.

We’re stoked for them all – what an extraordinary journey!

A couple of years ago we organised for a University group to sail from France to Norway on board Wylde Swan studying the great works of the ocean … a life changing trip for so many. And so we know these brave young people will have been in the best hands for this, the biggest adventure of their lives so far! Huge congrats to all!

Speaking to news agency Reuters one of the students on board said “You have to learn to adapt, because you don’t really have any choice”.

Read the full article about their journey here on the Reuter’s website

Inspired to consider an Atlantic Crossing yourself then check out some of the kind of trips you could plan (once the covid situation is under control!) on some incredible expedition yachts and tall ships we work with.