Sailing at a luxury level

Travelogue by Heinz-Dieter Heibach

Transit Cruise on the KAIRÓS: Portimão, Portugal – Valencia, Spain

Who would have thought it!!! When I saw my wife Barbara poring over a Sailing-Classics brochure with sparkling eyes in October 2025, I had no idea that we’d be booking a delivery cruise on the KAIRÓS just a short time later. But let’s take it one step at a time. For the two of us, as recreational sailors with our little ETAP 23iL, it was actually unimaginable that we’d ever get to sail on a large two-masted yacht and even lend a hand ourselves. After a last-minute informational meeting with Ms. Sturm at the Stuttgart sales office, we were certain: We were going to take on this voyage, and so we eagerly awaited the start of the trip in June 2026. For us, the focus was on sailing the KAIRÓS rather than just hopping from bay to bay. There were just ten days between the end of my own trip and our flight to Portugal. On that trip, I’d previously sailed solo from South Holland across the English Channel to southern Brittany, and then continued on with Barbara for a few more weeks in the Bay of Biscay. Days before her arrival, we were already tracking the KAIRÓS via Vesselfinder on her journey from the Azores to Portimão. The joyful anticipation grew.

When we finally saw the KAIRÓS in person for the first time, we were really looking forward to checking in the next day.

Captain and Sailing-Classics CEO Seren Elgün warmly welcomed us—ten passengers—aboard along with his seven-member crew. The very next morning, after a brief stop for a swim near Portimão, we set off for what would be our last anchorage for the time being, near Faro. This gave the guests plenty of time to settle in on board and get familiar with the KAIRÓS. After all, the upcoming nonstop voyage to Valencia would be quite demanding during our first two days at sea.

Off the Strait of Gibraltar, winds of up to 47 kt from the east were forecast. Later, while tacking toward Tarifa, the anemometer even registered 50 kt. The boat, the crew, and, of course, the guests were put to the test. However, I thoroughly enjoyed steering the 153-metric-ton KAIROS close-hauled through waves up to 4 meters high. On our little ETAP, I had last sailed in the English Channel with a broad reach and winds of up to 32 kt. On that boat, you’re much closer to the elements. It was nothing like the majestic experience on the KAIROS. Together with Seren, I sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar on the third night. There was relatively little ship traffic, and Tangier at night, along with the Rock of Gibraltar, glowed almost mystically against the dark backdrop of the mountains behind them. After the hardships of the Atlantic, the conditions in the Mediterranean Sea the following day felt like sailing on a duck pond. We watched dolphins, as well as tuna and barracudas hunting; two sunfish (Mola mola) were drifting on the surface; and later, my personal highlight: a pod of six pilot whales, which I first noticed because of their loud songs. These extraordinary creatures accompanied us at a leisurely pace for about half an hour. Pure joy!

And then there were those sunsets at sea, time and time again. I love them!!! The crew took excellent care of us, even in the toughest conditions. The ship’s engineer found a quick solution to even the smallest problem, and the ship’s command—including the captain, first mate, and deckhand—always made everyone on board feel safe, not just the sailing novices among the guests! Over the remaining days, we cruised—with several stops for swimming in the middle of the open sea—all the way to Valencia, where, after 711 NM, we performed an anchoring maneuver under sail. Hats off! After one final night at anchor, there was a touch of melancholy in the air that last morning. At breakfast, everyone spoke in hushed tones. The crew prepared everything for our departure. Over the past seven days, we—crew and guests alike—had become a temporary unit! I’m very satisfied and happy that I was able to actively support the regular crew with ship handling and maneuvers. In particular, the watches with Captain Seren Elgün helped me improve my seamanship quite a bit, especially when it comes to handling a tall ship.

After tears had been shed—not just by the crew—as we said our goodbyes, we checked out and drove to the harbor with the second group. There, from the shore, Barbara and I gazed thoughtfully at “our” KAIRÓS for what would be our last time—for now.

Introductory Sailing Trip in Malta

Ahoy, we'd love to come back.

On that morning of the third day, the waves were high and lashed with great force against the hull of the majestic Chronos. When I asked what wind force we were experiencing, Felix, the young and passionate captain, replied, “We’re at a 5.” It was a surreal scene: a constant up-and-down motion, clinging to any part that resembled a handhold, and the hot coffee, sitting steady on the breakfast table (thanks to the rubber mat).

My partner and I spent three unforgettable days on the Chronos, filled with many such experiences. Although I'm naturally a bit of a worrier and have a deep respect for the vast ocean, we felt safe and comfortable the entire time. Not least because of the professional crew, who were very helpful, patient, and went out of their way to pamper the guests. We were also enchanted by the culinary journey aboard the ship, with its many delicacies. How the cook—always with a touch of humor on his lips, even in such cramped quarters—managed to cater to these 20 guests remains one of the great mysteries of seafaring.

You can look forward to a little adventure—whether it’s relaxing in the sun on deck, taking trips by motorboat to the most beautiful spots, watching the captain at work, or helping to hoist the big sails; a journey you won’t experience every day.

Ahoy, we'd love to come back.

Every wish read from the eyes

5 stars +

The crew really read every wish from our eyes. The food was excellent... If I had to award stars for cuisine and service, it would be 5+. .. We had a lot of fun!!!
Isabella after the Christmas and New Year's Eve cruise on the CHRONOS in the Grenadines