Guestbook

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

We enjoy our 5th trip

High praise

This is the fifth time we have enjoyed a trip with Sailing Classics, this time between the Greek islands. And in November we want to sail across the Atlantic with the Rhea. In Pieter we have met an outstanding captain who has given us a lot of pleasure. I would also like to praise the speaker Marc, who introduced us to Greek history with his immense knowledge and his engaging and humorous manner. I would also like to praise the entire team.
Peter and Lore in October on the RHEA - Sailing & History in the southern Cyclades

Loved every minute of it

Absolutely marvelous charter

It was an absolutely marvelous charter. Loved every minute of it. I have chartered boats a number of times, and I have never had such a friendly, positive, and accommodating captain and crew. And the food was superb.

3 days in Italy

It was marvelous

About 10 days ago, we had zero sailing experience and no idea what to expect as a family with two young kids (ages 5 and 7) boarding a 3-night charter in the south of Italy. As we waited for the tender to bring us aboard, we spotted our fellow passengers - no other children in sight and most well outside our usual age range. We were more than a little nervous.

But wow - it was marvelous. From the moment we boarded, we felt not only welcomed but truly cared for. Normally, our daughter is quite shy around men, yet she immediately gravitated toward Captain Niko. She followed him around the boat with admiration, and he responded with incredible patience and kindness.

Everyone was fantastic and worked together like a well oiled machine. Thank you for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we hope becomes a lifelong tradition.

Wedding anniversary on board

A special experience

You are probably more than aware that sailing on the Rhea is a particularly beautiful experience. It was a special experience for me. Not that it was my first time sailing (North Sea, Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea), but it was my wife's first trip under sail. She enjoyed the time and we have decided to go on more sailing trips. We were also able to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary on board. We would like to thank you very much for the service on board and the highlights.

It was just amazing!

Every detail was covered!

It was really one of the best trips of our lives! Every detail was covered, starting from the perfect state and maintenance of the vessel, the great service and kindness of the crew, the day to day experience, the on board atmosphere, the delicious food... It was just amazing!

We made new friends on board, and created beautiful memories that will remain in our heads for the years to come, and that is very special!

Captain Nico and his crew did a great job

An all-round successful trip

It was an all-round successful trip, from the organization and information beforehand to the support and care on board! Captain Nico and his crew did a great job, so that I felt very comfortable the whole time on board and enjoyed the trip very much. All crew members were always attentive, kind and helpful! The fellow passengers also very quickly became a harmonious and cheerful community. I will remember this trip as a very special experience and will be happy to recommend you to others.

Wonderful and full of experiences

A great pleasure

I would like to express my great pleasure at having taken part as a passenger in the wonderful, eventful and indeed exhilarating voyage with the RHEA on the occasion of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2025. Even a few days later, it was a trip that I will remember for a very, very long time.

I have rarely eaten so well on board

A new, very enjoyable and luxurious sailing experience

As a long-time sailor and skipper on self-chartered yachts, I wanted to get to know a larger sailing yacht and not have to take care of everything myself.

It was a wonderful trip of around 200 NM from Martinique via Domenica, Les Saintes, Guadeloupe to Antigua. A varied trip in all weathers with gusts and rain showers, a short night trip but also lots of sunshine and occasionally in the company of curious dolphins circling around the bow. In between, there were various shore excursions and an interesting bus trip across the island of Domenica, including a visit to a waterfall and getting to know the local cuisine. Of course, there was also enough time to swim in the wonderfully turquoise blue, clear but warm sea water before breakfast or to go to a bay to snorkel extensively and admire the still quite intact underwater world. In particular a giant tortoise and, among other things, a wonderfully turquoise-colored parrotfish.

The international crew of ten looked after the ship and us as guests in a relaxed and friendly manner. I have rarely eaten so well on board. The chef not only provided a delicious lunch every day, but also a varied 4-course menu for lunch. It was unbelievable what he conjured up in his kitchen.

The first officer offered to answer any questions we had. Occasionally, under his guidance, we were also able to operate the winch to hoist or lower the sails. Of course, we were also lucky that there were only 13 guests on the ship, so we had plenty of space above and below deck.

All in all, a new, very enjoyable and luxurious sailing experience.

Great

Full of positive impressions...

The sailing trip was fantastic, great in all respects and we are still delighted with the Chronos. The flights all went smoothly and the luggage always followed us through check-in without any problems. We will probably not have travelled to the Caribbean on a sailing trip for the last time - maybe to the British Virgin Islands in a few years, who knows...