A sailor wants to take a brand new €100million sailing ship around Cape Horn!
Yes, you read that correctly.
Captain Mariusz Szalek who is Master of the Golden Horizon the largest sailing ship ever built.
Captain Mariusz Szalek and Golden Horizon Cape Horn dream.
Made it clear of his wish. Which is to take this luxury sailing cruise ship where wind speeds can reach 80 mph. With gusts even much higher.
This most southerly point of South America sits in the roaring forties and are where winds blast around the southern hemisphere. Totally unrestricted by any major land mass.
As a junior sailor on his very first sail training ship back in 1985 he can hardly believe where he has ended up. Mariusz was now talking to me as Master on the Golden Horizon.
Golden Horizon Cape Horn next?
It was there on this 8,440 ton square rigged 5 masted barque that he admitted that if he could take the ship anywhere in the world it would be to round Cape Horn.
This very passionate sailor who certainly comes so alive when he is talking about his profession. And the thrill of being powered at sea by sails.
The World’s largest sailing ship.
These maritime skills he is very much keen to pass onto next generation of less experienced sailors. As there are several junior crew members on the ship literally ‘learning the ropes’ from the more experienced sailors in the crew.
Learning the ropes. There are so many on the Golden Horizon.
With 40 odd sails on the ship. Getting to know which sheets or halyards control what sail or yard is mind boggling for any newcomer.
Although some of physical work has been reduced by hydraulic motors on the yards and winches on the decks.
Square rigged sails lite up.
Where in the 16th or 19th centuries each sail required 5/6 sailors that number has been reduced.
Now 3 sailors can man each of its 5 masts which carry on average 5 or 6 sails each.
His desire’s do not just end in rounding Tierra del Fuego. His love of nature means that for him some of the best sailing and interesting countries in the world to visit are those in the Pacific.
Sailing and sunsets.
He speaks highly of French Polynesia as place to sail and wonderful islands to visit for their nature
Also, the Caribbean is a perfect location for great sailing. A place here you can use the sails and many of them to sail from island to island.
From a historical stand point the Mediterranean is great too. Very many locations who’s history provides wonderful places to be educated about.
I enjoy sailing around some of the big islands there. Like those of Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia. These are places that you can really use the sails and the wind around them.
He says he is proud to command the biggest sailing ship ever built in the world!
“The feeling I get in my bones when the ship sailing really well is amazing. When, things are vibrating, that is something else. And such a great feeling!”
“I am very glad to be here and at the top of the mountain in terms of my career. My dream has come true.”
For Mariusz what he does is not a job! He explains with real passion. “If you like what you do, there is no reason to be sad. You cannot even call this a job. There is a pleasure to doing things you love!
The ship is operated by Tradewind Voyages.
Highlights
The main dining saloon is on two decks with sweeping stair cases connecting them. The third top deck area is a lounge.
The dining saloon on the Golden Horizon.
There is also the Horizon bar an open deck area for dining.
The Marina deck at the stern is where the passengers can enjoy a series of water sports. These include paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking and it’s also possible to learn how to dive in the safety of the onboard 4 metre deep dive tank.
Dive pool on the Golden Horizon.
Plus, two other swimming pools are on her upper deck.
A library and quiet room is also located at the stern. Plus a boutique selling souvenirs and vital items that we often leave behind when packing. Plus, snacks and sweets.
Golden Horizon library.
A complete spa complex with hammam, sauna, snow room, hairdressers and treatment rooms. With wellness very much part of the experience.
There is an expansive deck with plenty of sun beds and attentive staff to deliver drinks, meals or towels.
Mostly the bridge is accessible. However, there are times when the area is roped off during critical manoeuvres of the ship.
Overall this is a very comfortable and relaxed seagoing experience. And a chance to sample the power and thrill of a square rigged, five masted barque sailing under pure wind power!
With a maximum of 272 passengers and less during Covid one of the very best sailing experiences you could possibly enjoy.
525 foot long or 162 metres.
She weighs 8,440 tons.
She carries 6,300 square metres of sail.
Or around the size of the area of a football pitch.
Her build costs was around £85million.
She can carry 272 passengers.
Her mast height is 64.5 metres.
All her 140 cabins have sea views.
Tradewind Voyages have just announced plans for Golden Horizon to sail the Caribbean this winter. This follows after the ongoing impact of the pandemic in Australia.
The planned voyages there have now been postponed for 12 months and the world’s largest tall ship will relocate and start her winter program in Barbados on November 11, 2021.
The vessel is currently completing her inaugural season in the UK. Golden Horizon will sail out of British waters on August 14, to head back to Croatia.
A revised winter schedule will see the ship visit numerous Caribbean islands. These will be St Barts, St Kitts, Antigua, St Lucia, Gaudeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Tobago, Grenada, Grenadines and St Vincent.
These new Caribbean voyages are to go on sale later this month, accompanied by a new brochure.
Commenting on the changes, CEO Tradewind Voyages, Alan McGrory said: “Given the continuing situation in Australia and other destinations we had planned to visit, in parallel with the cruise industry we have made the difficult decision to revise the entire 2021/2022/2023 programme. Based on customer feedback, we have decided to relocate Golden Horizon to the Caribbean for the Winter 2021/22 season, effective mid-November. We sincerely thank our agent partners and their clients who are being extremely understanding as we work to accommodate guests on future voyages.
We are pleased to offer an exciting schedule across the Caribbean that takes in smaller ports of call to visit some of the most exquisite destinations in the region. The Australian guests will get to experience the exact same adventures 12 months later than planned.”
An update on the full revised schedule for the 2022/23 voyages will be available later this month.
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