More Than a Ship: A Home, an Adventure, a Way of Life

1/06/2026

Volunteer Сaroline shares her journey aboard Shtandart — from joining as a complete beginner with no sailing experience to becoming a skilled rigger, mentor, and passionate member of the crew.

“When I first came to Shtandart two years ago, I came as a trainee, never sailed in my life.

Travelling to an unknown location, an unknown ship, for the first time alone in my life. The crew took me in and thought me everything I could ask of the ship, how to work the ropes, how the sails catch the wind, how to manouver her in the waves. Never have I felt such at home in any location before.

She isn’t just a ship, she is freedom and adventure carnated! Now I have sailed with her nearly eight months, teaching new trainees the ropes and life on board. Its hard life, staying on watch in the dark and rain, but seeing the sun raise red beyond the open ocean after, thats a feeling I can’t put to words. Sailing with her is amaizing, sometimes rough, yes, but the most real and rewarding experience I could ever recommend.

You will not be a guest pampered in his warm cozy cabin, but a real sailor experiencing the thrill of the heights up aloft, the adventure, and the best crew and lifelong frienships you could ask for.”