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30 April, 2021

Cruise Traveller and Tradewind Voyages tack together to offer sailing scholarships

The maiden arrival in Australia this December of the world’s largest and newest sailing ship, Golden Horizon, has inspired Tradewind Voyages and Cruise Traveller to sponsor two sailing scholarships aimed at helping young people build confidence and skills and overcome anxieties.

The UK-based cruise line and its Australian representative are offering the two scholarships through the Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand Charitable Foundation.

One of the foundation’s chief aims is to help disadvantaged and at-risk young people aged 15 to 25 to build resilience and purpose through adventure, participation and the skills required to help operate large sailing ships.

Benefits include enhanced communication, purpose, social confidence, teamwork ability, overcoming fears, meeting challenges, the gaining of technical sailing skills, and an enhanced understanding of sustainability and nature.

The scholarships will help two young people spend up to 10 days at sea aboard a tall ship in Australia, offering them an invaluable life experience which will support them in their future endeavours.

Craig Bowen, managing director of Cruise Traveller, said the inaugural arrival of Golden Horizon in Australia next summer inspired the scholarships.

“Stretching 162 metres, carrying 272 guests and proudly flying 6,300 square metres of billowing sails, the brand-new Golden Horizon is the world’s largest square-rigged sailing ship and will make a graceful and spectacular sight as she circles our continent next summer,” he said.

“Sailing aboard authentic tall ships like Golden Horizon is a raw and magical experience, feeling the power of the wind, breathing in fresh air and connecting with the sea.

“It’s a true adventure for guests and perfect for our times, and we and Tradewind Voyages hope these scholarships will help two lucky young people experience and benefit from these special joys as well.”

Golden Horizon

Jon Simpson, chairman of the Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand Charitable Foundation, said: “Our foundation has helped and supported many young people through the wonders of sail and this support will boost that important work.

“It will be exciting to see Golden Horizon in Australia next summer and hopefully the two scholarship recipients will have the chance to see her close up as part of their program.”

Launching this June and modelled on the 1913 barque France II, Golden Horizon is expected to be powered by the wind alone for 70 per cent of the time at up to 15 knots.

The ship will offer modern-day seafarers a fine cuisine dining room, three pools, a gym, a library, a spa sanctuary, four bars, a marina platform and a collection of kayaks, waterskis and wakeboards for guests to use. All 140 of Golden Horizon’s cabins will offer ocean vistas.

During her historic, much-anticipated circuit of Australia, the record-breaking Golden Horizon will visit 36 destinations around the continent, including every state capital.

To add to the unique adventure, Cruise Traveller has created two new stay and tour extensions in Cairns or Port Douglas before the ship’s voyage along the Great Barrier Reef and through the Whitsunday Islands from Cairns to Sydney.

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Craig Bowen cruise line cruise traveller Golden Horizon Jon Simpson sailing scholarships sailing ship Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand Charitable Foundation Tradewind Voyages