Life On Board
Our Voyaging Style
By way of introduction a word about our style of voyaging and some factors to take into account when planning to charter with Chronicles Expeditions. About Chronicles Expeditions: If your project is off the trade routes and you want to have an adventure fully engaged with the wild side of nature, Chronicles Expeditions will facilitate your plans and take you to the destination of your dreams. Our fleet are available for expedition charter and logistic support to high latitude destinations in both Hemispheres including but not limited to: Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn, the Falkland Islands, the island of South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, Norway, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador and Arctic Canada. Chronicles Adventure Sailing, an adjunct of Chronicles Expeditions is an RYA training facility offering the RYA’s Competent Crew, Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean syllabi.
Our Style
Although we operate as charter vessels, we like to think of our voyages in terms of "expeditioning" rather than "charter cruising". The latter might conjure up visions of inactivity, rum and tonic sunsets and subservient behaviour paid to the guests by the professional crew.
Instead, our aim is give the crew (our guests) a sense of participation in all facets of operating a small vessel in a remote area. The following perspective is one I like to pass on:
When you have to do your own dishes you're on an expedition, if not, you are chartering.
The vessels will always have a dedicated cook/mate, so if necessary meals will be prepared throughout, although everyone is encouraged to try their hand in the galley.
Life On Board
Washing up after meals, however, is taken in turn. On deck, everyone will be expected to do a bit of steering, sail handling and help with launching and re-embarking the dinghy. No prior experience is needed for any of these activities.
Both vessels are fully equipped for comfort. It is dry and warm below with both central heating and stoves. We have a library and a good selection of music. In short, it is eminently suitable for expedition sailing in extreme environments.
Our smaller size, and limited client numbers, offers a more agile, personal and close to nature experience compared to joining a large cruise ship. Whilst we cater for extreme adventure projects we also offer a less demanding experience for those who want to visit our destinations in safety and robust comfort whilst taking an active part in the working of the vessel to the best of their ability.
During our trip, I sent them photos of what we were seeing & doing. They were very envious and said, "In our hearts we always knew we should have gone with chronicles expedition. I know they'd have loved it." This makes me wonder, given how (relatively) comfortable the boats are, whether you might think of making sure this is obvious to people looking at your trips? You understandably focus on the adventure elements, but perhaps reassuring people that whatever they get up to and whatever the weather, there is a warm welcome inside with delicious food, unlimited snacks, hot showers etc plus a couple of choice photos.... Just a thought.
