The maiden arrival in Australia this December of the world’s largest and newest sailing ship, Golden Horizon, has inspired the cruise line, Tradewind Voyages, and its Australian representative, Cruise Traveller, to sponsor two sailing scholarships aimed at helping young people build confidence and skills and overcome anxieties.
UK-based Tradewind Voyages and Australia’s leading small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, 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.
The Managing Director of Cruise Traveller, Craig Bowen, said the inaugural arrival of the majestic, five-masted Golden Horizon in Australia next summer had inspired the scholarships. “Stretching 162m, carrying 272 guests and proudly flying 6300 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,” Mr Bowen 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.”
Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand Charitable Foundation Chairman, Jon Simpson, thanked Tradewind Voyages and Cruise Traveller for the scholarship support. “Our foundation has helped and supported many young people through the wonders of sail and this support will boost that important work,” Mr Simpson said. “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 will fuse contemporary luxury with the charm, adventure and romance of a traditional sailing ship. She is expected to be powered by the wind alone for 70 per cent of the time at up to 15 knots. The head-turning ship will offer modern-day seafarers a fine cuisine dining room, three pools, gym, library, spa sanctuary, four bars, a marina platform and a collection of kayaks, waterskis and wakeboards for guests to use. All 140 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 and Darwin, attracting big crowds of sightseers along the way.
Cruise Traveller is the exclusive Australian representative for Golden Horizon, offering a range of Australian sectors aboard Golden Horizon from, 14 to 73 nights from December 2021 to February 2022. Fares start at A$7760 per person (14 nights) including beer and wine with lunch and dinner aboard the ship. Rail and sail packages are also available in conjunction with the iconic Indian Pacific train.
* Call Cruise Traveller on 1800 507 777, visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/tradewind2021 or contact a travel agent.
Cruise Traveller is Australia’s leader in the small ship market, representing 56 boutique, luxury, river and expedition cruising operators around the world including Tradewind Voyages. www.cruisetraveller.com.au
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