Q&A
Frequently asked questions
This page answers common questions about sailing voyages with Statsraad Lehmkuhl.
Yes! A sailing voyage is a unique and active holiday experience, as long as you are ready to take part and are in normal, good health. Everyone becomes part of the crew and contributes to sailing and running the ship. We live close together, share the tasks – and the unforgettable moments.
If you are looking for a relaxing luxury holiday by the pool, this may not be for you. But if you are ready for community, nature experiences and new friendships at sea, we can warmly recommend joining one of our voyages. Statsraad Lehmkuhl is one of the world’s largest and most beautiful tall ships – a living part of Norwegian maritime history – offering you an a genuine experience from the great age of sail!
Regular voyages: The minimum age is 12 when accompanied by a parent/guardian, and 15 if traveling alone.
Tall Ships Races (TSR): Minimum age is 15. Once you have turned 15, you may travel on your own.
One Ocean Expedition: Minimum age is 15 when accompanied by a parent/guardian. If traveling alone, you must be at least 18 years old at the start of the voyage.
Participants over 70 years of age must provide a medical certificate confirming good health.
No, no prior knowledge is required. Everything you need to know will be taught by our skilled crew – and you will quickly become part of the team on board.
No, going aloft is completely voluntary. The ship needs people both on deck and in the rigging. Many still find going aloft to be a highlight – the view is spectacular, and the sense of achievement lasts a lifetime. You will always have the support and guidance of the crew the first time you go up.
Full access to the rigging: Either 1 standard pull-up or 5 Bravo pull-ups, followed by 10 seconds of free hanging from your arms.
Limited access: Hanging freely from your arms for 10 seconds gives you access to the lower shrouds, lower yards (up to the first platform, but not above it) and the bowsprit.
No access: If you cannot meet the 10-second hanging requirement, you are unfortunately not allowed to enter the rigging at all, including the bowsprit.
These requirements are set for safety reasons. We regret that this may limit some participants’ ability to enter the rigging, but many find they can meet the requirements with a bit of training beforehand.
Bravo pull-up: You lie on your back with straight legs and your heels on the floor. Above you, about half a meter up, there is a bar. With your hands on the bar, you pull your upper body up until your chest touches the bar – similar to an inverted push-up.
Yes. Everyone entering the rigging uses a safety line.
As voyage crew you will be part of a fixed watch team throughout the journey. Each day you take part in two four-hour watches – a total of eight hours – where you receive training, join sail maneuvers, and perform tasks such as lookout, buoy watch, fire watch, or steering the ship. The watch system has long traditions at sea and is the backbone of operating the ship.
The watch schedule is divided as follows:
Red watch: 12:00–16:00 / 00:00–04:00
White watch: 04:00–08:00 / 16:00–20:00
Blue watch: 08:00–12:00 / 20:00–24:00
You can indicate your preferred watch when booking your ticket, or send it to us afterwards. We will do our best to accommodate your choice, especially for those traveling together, but cannot guarantee it.
Some people experience seasickness in the beginning, but for most it passes after a day or two. Fresh air and staying active on deck usually help. You are welcome to bring travel medicine if needed, but please note that you are not allowed to enter the rigging if the medicine carries a red warning label or advises against driving/operating machinery. Please also inform your watch leader if you are using such medicine.
Yes, the ship has internet and Wi-Fi, but it is not available to voyage crew. Only the permanent crew has access, and they can relay important messages to shore if necessary. In special cases, a satellite phone may also be used.
A sailing voyage is therefore a perfect opportunity to disconnect and enjoy a much-needed digital break!
No. The voyage crew sleep in hammocks in the banjer, just as sailors have done for centuries. The ship has two spacious banjers, both with air conditioning and heating. Each hammock has a mattress pad – you bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. You will also have your own lockable cupboard and space in a sea chest for storage.
Yes. There are shared bathroom facilities, with one for women and one for men. The showers have individual stalls, and the facilities were completely renovated in 2023 – the bathrooms are modern and comfortable.
All meals are included, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served at set times. We accommodate dietary needs as far as practically possible (vegetarian, pescetarian, gluten-free). Unfortunately, we are not able to provide a fully vegan diet.
If you have any questions about the menu or dietary needs, please contact us: lehmkuhl@lehmkuhl.no / +47 55 30 17 00 (weekdays 10:00–14:00 CET).
Meal times on board:
Breakfast: 07:20–08:30
Lunch: 11:20–12:30
Dinner: 17:30–18:30
In addition, a snack is served with afternoon coffee, and a simple bread meal is offered for the night watch.
Yes. Valid travel insurance is a strict requirement for participation. The insurance should cover both health/medical issues and travel before and after the voyage. If you are unable to join due to illness, any refund must be claimed through your insurance company. We can provide a booking confirmation if required by the company.
If we have to cancel the voyage, your ticket(s) will be refunded. However, we cannot cover additional expenses such as flights or hotels. These costs must be covered by your travel insurance.
Yes. Statsraad Lehmkuhl requires all participants to bring a passport that is valid for the entire voyage. While some may have a national ID card with travel rights, we have repeatedly experienced issues with clearance in foreign ports for those without a passport – even when the country’s regulations suggest otherwise. To avoid complications, we therefore require that all participants have a valid passport. This even applies within Scandinavia.
There is always a doctor or nurse on board during voyages, and the ship has a small hospital with the necessary equipment. In serious cases, evacuation to shore may be required, which can take time depending on the ship’s location.
Yes, but this is assessed on an individual basis. The ship’s doctor will be consulted, and the decision depends on your general health and safety on board. If you are unsure, we recommend contacting us in advance: lehmkuhl@lehmkuhl.no
/ +47 55 30 17 00 (weekdays 10:00–14:00 CET).
Yes. There is no upper age limit, but you must provide a signed medical certificate confirming that you are in good health. Send us an email, and we will provide the form: lehmkuhl@lehmkuhl.no
As a amaber of the voyage crew you are part of the community on board – you take part in sailing and running the ship, stand watches, and join in daily life at sea. The permanent crew are professional sailors responsible for operations, training, and safety.
Normally only on voyages longer than 10 days. On shorter voyages, you will need to manage with what you have packed.
Yes! In the souvenir shop you will find popular keepsakes from the voyage, such as sweaters, caps and T-shirts – a great way to bring a piece of the experience home. Ask the crew about opening hours.
No. Alcohol and other intoxicants are strictly prohibited at sea. When the ship is in port, alcohol may in some cases be served during events in designated areas on board. Normal age limits apply.
Yes. It is called Slappen, and here you will find a limited selection of soft drinks, snacks, toiletries, alcohol and cigarettes. Normal age limits and quotas apply, and alcohol may not be consumed on board.
Yes, on selected voyages. During the Tall Ships Races 2026, you can book overnight accommodation (including breakfast) from NOK 1,000 per night. Overnight stays can be booked together with your ticket or afterwards via email.
Yes, but there are certain requirements. To serve as volunteer crew you must speak a Scandinavian language and have completed the Basic Safety Training for seafarers (IMO 50) and
An exception to the IMO 50 requirement may be made for volunteers in the catering department. Please contact us by email: lehmkuhl@lehmkuhl.no
She was built in Bremerhaven, Germany in 1914, which makes her more than 110 years old. Statsraad Lehmkuhl is one of the world’s oldest, largest – and most beautiful – sailing ships, and one of very few from that era still in active year-round operation.
Yes. No matter the weather, you can feel secure on board – safety always comes first on Statsraad Lehmkuhl. She is one of the world’s largest tall ships in active operation, built for ocean sailing and tested countless times in rough waters such as the North Atlantic. A solid construction, extensive upgrades, advanced navigation equipment and a professional crew all make her a very safe ship.
No. Our professional crew work in rotations and are usually on board for about four weeks at a time, after which they are replaced by a new shift. This ensures that there is always a professional crew on board.
Statsraad Lehmkuhl has a permanent crew of about 45 professional sailors and apprentices. In addition, we have several skilled volunteers on board, most of them working on deck and undergoing maritime training.
It depends on the season and where we are sailing. We provide tailored packing lists to make preparations easy, and you will receive packing tips well in advance of departure. The example below is from a tropical voyage – while a spring voyage in the North Sea would look quite different:
Refillable water bottle – essential!
Pillow, earplugs and preferably a sleep mask (the hammocks are close together, and there can be noise at night)
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Cap or sun hat
Light sleeping bag
Wind- and waterproof clothing
Practical clothes suitable for entering the rigging, hauling ropes and working with tar
Water-resistant shoes/boots, plus sneakers/hiking shoes
Gloves for chilly steering or lookout watches
T-shirts, shorts and light trousers
Towels and toiletries (hairdryer if desired)
Shower sandals/slippers
Small flashlight, preferably with red light
Casual clothes for use in port
Possibly a musical instrument – music is always welcome on board!
In the spirit of sustainability, we encourage you to use what you already have rather than buying lots of new gear.
We also kindly ask you to remove unnecessary packaging to help reduce waste on board.
You get more than a journey – you get an adventure! As an active member of the voyage crew, you learn authentic seamanship on one of the world’s largest and most beautiful sailing ships. You share life at sea with new friends, experience breathtaking nature, and feel the sense of achievement that comes from challenging yourself.
At sea, there is no mobile coverage, giving you real time for community, peace of mind and unforgettable experiences. Our science coordinator also provides insight into how the data collected on board contributes to important ocean research. All meals are included (travel to and from the ports must be arranged separately).
Yes, but only in designated areas on deck. Please follow the crew’s instructions and be considerate of your shipmates.
For members of the voyage crew, life on board is a Wi-Fi free zone, but the ship has internet connection in most sea areas. In urgent situations, the crew will help you get in touch with people on shore, and in emergencies a satellite phone can be used.
No – a voyage on Statsraad Lehmkuhl is very different from a cruise. As a member of the voyage crew, you are not a passenger but an active part of sailing and running the ship. You will take part in sea watches, join sail maneuvers and daily duties on board, and share life at sea with your shipmates. Instead of cabins and luxury, you will sleep in a hammock in the banjer – just as sailors have done for centuries.
Statsraad Lehmkuhl is primarily powered by wind – in a normal sailing year, she spends about 70% of the time under sail. As part of the One Ocean Expedition, the ship also functions as a research vessel, equipped with modern sensors that continuously collect ocean data. Our science coordinator operates the instruments and involves the voyage crew in workshops on ocean research and sustainability.
Sustainability is also part of everyday seamanship: repair and reuse are daily practice on board, waste is kept to a minimum, and we avoid single-use plastics. In collaboration with PwC, we are developing a full climate account for the expedition.
Photo: André Marton Pedersen
