Sailing trip with children - a dream vacation for the whole family

What: Sailing trip with crew in Greece Name: Ribecka & Martin & Solvej 1 year and 2 months Who: Travel with family and friends.

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What inspired you to sail with More Sailing in Greece?

- We started following a sailing account a few years ago on Youtube and since then we have felt that we just had to get our own boat and live a similar life. When we found out about More Sailing we felt that we just had to try it! We have always had a dream of living at sea, love the sea!

Did you have any previous sailing experience?

- This trip was the first real sailing trip for all three of us. We've lived such a floating lifestyle in the past, so it felt like this type of trip really suited us! Traveling abroad and staying in the same hotel has never suited us, so when we travel abroad we experience and see a lot. Sailing is similar in that you move around and discover new places every day.

What were your expectations before the sailing trip?

- The fact that you get to experience so much, but also to try sailing felt really cool! Learning more about sailing was a dream. Then we really looked forward to having a vacation, being taken care of and not having to cook and just relax - so luxurious!

We have a pretty well-traveled baby, but we were a little nervous about how it would go on the boat because she just started walking. How would it go with a small child? In our minds we saw her running around everywhere on the boat, laughing. But you know, it worked out great and went beyond our expectations. After this week, our daughter has such incredible balance - a week on a sailboat made it so much better.

Curious about sailing trips? Read more about our crewed sailing trips here.

How did it work having children on board the boat?

- So much better than you could ever imagine. Food is one of the most important things and what we could wish for was specially prepared and adapted well. When it comes to sleep, it was so easy to put her to bed. The rocking of the boat and the soothing white noise sound of the sea. You could put her on the couch, look at her and she would fall asleep. So easy to put to sleep, beyond expectations! The only thing was that it was incredibly hot, some days over 40 degrees. We wondered how it would go? But it went well.

Was there anything special that she liked to do during the trip?

- We swam with her constantly, she loved to swim. If you're thinking about traveling with a one-year-old on a sailboat - do it! It worked great! We were also advised by our host & skipper to buy a small inflatable swimming pool to have on deck - it was brilliant!

How did the routines work with children on board the boat?

- Everything worked very smoothly. Often she slept when we sailed and we put mattresses on the floor so she could sleep in the shade. In the evening we put her to sleep in the carriage when we went out to eat at a restaurant. A travel trailer was therefore really good to have with you!

Read more about sailing trips with crew in Greece, Croatia, Italy, Sweden and the Caribbean.

What was the best thing about sailing in Greece?

- It was so much nicer than any of us could have imagined, and we've traveled a lot! Our friends Lisa & Chris, who were also on the boat, have lived in Costa Rica and also traveled a lot and exclaimed in one of the bays in Greece that "this is the most beautiful thing we have seen!". There were such incredibly beautiful landscapes, which we might not have expected. It was also incredible to experience it from the sea and get to places you would not have seen otherwise. Add to that the crystal clear sea that brought to mind a swimming pool in some places.

Were there any challenges?

- Before we left, we thought seasickness would be tough, but it worked out really well. The boat we stayed on had no AC, except when we were in port, so it got very hot in the cabin. But on the whole it is a very small detail.

How would you describe a day on board the boat?

We woke up to a breakfast buffet which in itself was very nice, not least that it was a Swedish breakfast with porridge, eggs - yes, things you had cooked yourself. We usually woke up in a harbor, went through where we would sail during the day and cast off. There were always swimming stops in nice places. The sea was so incredibly warm and looked like a pool. Then we were served lunch that was adapted to everyone. Amalia who was both vegan and gluten exclaimed that "wow what good food I have eaten" - it was amazing. Then we had a lot of free time where you could just rest, hang out, swim! In the afternoon we often came to a lovely village where we strolled around and had dinner. It all felt like a movie!

Was there anything in particular that surprised you during the trip?

- How much fresh water we could fit in the boat and that we could all shower! That's luxury for us. The fact that we could always charge our phones through USB was also nice. And then the views of Greece and the lovely weather of course.

Favorite stop during the week?

- Most often we came to a port and thought, this is the nicest we have seen, and then we came to a new port and thought but oh this is the most beautiful so far. But there was one place we loved extra much, Kioni Wow how cozy it was! So sickly picturesque, when you enter the bay with the boat. The beach that was there had the clearest water I have ever seen and it was a short distance to everything from the boat. The beach was a few minutes away, there were cozy ice cream stands and small shops. Everything about Kioni was so picturesque! Yes you just hear the name.

Read also: 5 reasons to go on a sailing trip in Greece

What was the best thing about traveling with family & friends on this type of trip?

- It was such an incredible quality hangout! I don't think we have ever socialized like that before. It is so easy to always do things wherever you are. Here on the sailboat we could really sit and play games, talk and socialize.

What were the highlights of the trip?

- Seeing Solvej swimming so much! She was really like a little fish and floated around with her puffs, it was very funny. And seeing her relationships that she builds with her family. But there was so much that was a highlight. Seeing her friends and family so happy. Both my mom and Martin's mom got to try sailing and they were so happy. Then all the coming to all the small, cozy villages where you sat and ate dinner in the evenings. It's hard to choose a highlight. I think we all agreed that it was the best trip we have been on! One day when we were eating breakfast, Martin's mom started crying & said "we get to experience this!". It was on that level.

Do you have any special memories from the trip that you would like to share?

- The sunrise sail was absolutely magical, I will never forget it! You got up early before the sun rose, then we slid on the mirrored sea in a gentle wind when the sky was completely red. It can not be described!

What activities did you do together as a family during the trip?

- We all took the opportunity to really rest and when we went ashore in places, we always strolled around the small villages, sat at some small restaurant, played games, swam a lot! Really quality time together

Anything special to think about when sailing with children?

It's good to think about what you pack! Some highlights to have with you on a sailing trip with children are:

- A small mini pool to have on the boat

- Travel trailer as you go ashore in many places

- A small fan with battery to keep in the cabin at night

- Bathing pads, sunscreen, sun hat and other good standard stuff for children.

- Baby food if needed. However, Solvej ate everything that was served on the boat.

What did you think of the facilities on board, especially considering your child's needs?

- Great! There was a shower, toilet, kitchen you get your own cabin (if you are two people) with bedrooms and wardrobes. Lots of space! When we were there it was over 30 degrees at night so it could be a little difficult to sleep for her when you do not have AC, but beyond that nothing, absolutely top!

Your best tip for other families who are thinking of sailing with young children?

- To just drive, book! Of course we were a little worried about how it would go before the trip, but everything dropped as soon as we got on board. You have a captain and host, who was always accommodating with everything. I think you should just dare to book, because it was absolutely fantastic! I also think children of all ages would have enjoyed it - from swimming and jumping off the boat to snorkeling. Such an incredible week - it felt like a movie!

Would you consider doing a similar trip in the future?

- In a heart beat! At some point we will also live on a boat - 100%.

Are you curious about going on a sailing trip? Read more about sailing in Greece here!