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The Beacon Edition 3-2023/24 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2023-2024 student newspaper-The Beacon 3rd Edition This month’s edition includes art work, poetry, clever writing and more! The Beacon stands by: Truth, Authenticity, Respect, Integrity, Fairness, and Engagement  

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The Beacon Edition 2-2023/24 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2023-2024 student newspaper-The Beacon 2nd Edition This month’s edition includes pieces from a floatie parent and floaties! The Beacon stands by: Truth, Authenticity, Respect, Integrity, Fairness, and Engagement    

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The Beacon Edition 1-2023/24 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2023-2024 student newspaper-The Beacon First Edition This month’s edition includes pieces from a floatie parent and floaties! The Beacon stands by: Truth, Authenticity, Respect, Integrity, Fairness, and Engagement    

Alexander Humboldt II
Introducing the Alexander von Humboldt II

Class Afloat is proud to announce a change in ship and a new partnership with the German, Class ‘A’ tall ship, Alexander Humboldt II.  Earlier this month, our school was saddened to learn that due to concerns related to COVID-19,…Read More

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The Mizzen 8th Edition-2022/23 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2022-2023 student newspaper-The Mizzen 8th Edition The Mizzen’s Paradigm: consent, diversity, accuracy, quality, student perspective, representing ourselves, our peers, and the people and places we visit with respect.  

Passport Visa Stamps, Seamless Pattern. International And Immigration Office Rubber Stamps. Traveling And Tourism Concept Background
The Mizzen 7th Edition-2022/23 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2022-2023 student newspaper-The Mizzen 7th Edition The Mizzen’s Paradigm: consent, diversity, accuracy, quality, student perspective, representing ourselves, our peers, and the people and places we visit with respect.

Passport Visa Stamps, Seamless Pattern. International And Immigration Office Rubber Stamps. Traveling And Tourism Concept Background
The Mizzen 6th Edition-2022/23 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2022-2023 student newspaper-The Mizzen 6th Edition The Mizzen’s Paradigm: consent, diversity, accuracy, quality, student perspective, representing ourselves, our peers, and the people and places we visit with respect.

Passport Visa Stamps, Seamless Pattern. International And Immigration Office Rubber Stamps. Traveling And Tourism Concept Background
The Mizzen 5th Edition-2022/23 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2022-2023 student newspaper-The Mizzen 5th Edition The Mizzen’s Paradigm: consent, diversity, accuracy, quality, student perspective, representing ourselves, our peers, and the people and places we visit with respect.  

Passport Visa Stamps, Seamless Pattern. International And Immigration Office Rubber Stamps. Traveling And Tourism Concept Background
The Mizzen 4th Edition-2022/23 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2022-2023 student newspaper-The Mizzen 4th Edition The Mizzen’s Paradigm: consent, diversity, accuracy, quality, student perspective, representing ourselves, our peers, and the people and places we visit with respect.

Passport Visa Stamps, Seamless Pattern. International And Immigration Office Rubber Stamps. Traveling And Tourism Concept Background
The Mizzen 3rd Edition-2022/23 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2022-2023 student newspaper-The Mizzen 3rd Edition. The Mizzen’s Paradigm: consent, diversity, accuracy, quality, student perspective, representing ourselves, our peers, and the people and places we visit with respect.  

Passport Visa Stamps, Seamless Pattern. International And Immigration Office Rubber Stamps. Traveling And Tourism Concept Background
The Mizzen 2nd Edition-2022/23 Student Newspaper

Check out our 2022-2023 student newspaper-The Mizzen 2nd Edition. The Mizzen’s Paradigm: consent, diversity, accuracy, quality, student perspective, representing ourselves, our peers, and the people and places we visit with respect.    

Alex II
The Life of a Sailor

A captivating blog post from 2021-2022 student-Connor Teskey A sailor lives an extraordinary life, flirting with danger, utilizing it to their advantage to travel to their desired location. A sailor chooses a home isolated from the rest of the world,…Read More

Alumni in the Spotlight
Student Alumni in the Spotlight: Jillian Amatt

Jillian Amatt was a Class Afloat student on our ’94/95 voyage aboard the Concordia. She submitted this reflective blog post for us to share. In 2017, at the age of 40 years old, I decided that I wanted to sell…Read More

Alex II
Check out our students YouTube channel!

“David_is_sailing” For those adventurers who have a love of photography, Class Afloat is such an incredible opportunity to capture the world through their lens. Each and every floatie (aka student) has a different perspective and many have shared their journeys…Read More

Notre Dame Cathedral
The European Nomad

Written November 5, 2021 I am aboard a tall ship at last! I should start where I left off, however, in Spain. Since leaving there our crew has visited four countries; France, (briefly) Belgium, Netherlands, and at last our ship’s…Read More

Wave Pattern
A Beginner’s Guide to Sleeping at Sea

Written November 28, 2021 Adaptability is key when attempting to do anything on a ship, and sleeping is no exception. Berths aboard are about six feet long and not quite tall enough to sit up in. The first step, when…Read More

Alumni in the Spotlight
Student Alumni in the Spotlight: Sarah Fennessey

Get to know Class Afloat faculty and students throughout the ages in our Alumni in the Spotlight series. What’s your name? Sarah Fennessey Where are you from? Calgary, Alberta, Canada What year did you sail with Class Afloat? 2010 Winter…Read More

Wave Pattern
Updates Affecting the 2020-2021 Voyage

A message from David Jones, President at Class Afloat.

Alumni in the Spotlight
Student Alumni in the Spotlight: Celina Diaz

Meet Celina Diaz, this week’s Student Alumni in the Spotlight.

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Know Your Knots: How to Tie a Bowline

How well do you know your knots? Learn how to tie a variety of sailing knots in these tutorial videos created by members of the Class Afloat community. Up first? The Bowline!

Alumni in the Spotlight
Student Alumni in the Spotlight: Amy Russell

Meet Amy Russell, this week’s Student Alumni in the Spotlight.

Whale of a Tale
A Whale of a Tale: Notes from the Ship

In this update from the ship, our Deckhand, Nicholas, shares a close encounter with a pod of dolphins, a handful of orca and a chase that had everyone on the edge of their seat.

The Creative Classroom
The Creative Classroom: Teaching Abroad on a Tall Ship

What’s it like teaching on board a tall ship? Kyle O’Donnell shares his experience teaching math on board Class Afloat.

Alumni in the Spotlight
Faculty Alumni in the Spotlight: Kyle O’Donnell

Meet Kyle O’Donnell, this week’s Faculty Alumni in the Spotlight.

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COVID-19: Updates

Learn about the school’s response to COVID-19 in a letter from Class Afloat President, David Jones.

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Prevention and Management Response to COVID-19

An update to our community regarding COVID-19 and the 2019-2020 school year.

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Class Afloat Named Sea Education Program of the Year

At the 47th Annual Conference on Sail Training and Tall Ships in St. Petersburg, Florida, Class Afloat was named Sea Education Program of the Year! The award is handed out each year by Tall Ships America, an organization focused on…Read More

Class Afloat students in their foul weather gear, during their time traveling and studying abroad, aboard a tall ship.
T-minus 1 day Until Graduation – Student Takeover Day

Who said that the last few days after final exams should be restful days where our only focus should be cleaning up and packing up? As we anchored off Scheveningen and prepared for our upcoming grand arrival and family reunions,…Read More

Enric Russia Blog
Russia was my Favourite Port

It’s actually incredible to think that Class Afloat was able to go to Russia. Many students were looking forward to that port. Let me explain to you how the customs in Russia were as they looked very Russian. You have…Read More

Russia Blog
From Russia to Estonia

As we slowly motored out of the port of St. Petersburg, we passed by hundreds of huge housing blocks where hundred of thousands of people lived squished together. Block after block after block, every building looked the same; grey, ugly…Read More

Rose Poland Blog
Once Upon a Time in Poland…

Something really cute happened whilst we were in Poland. I will always remember Easter in Poland. We had a ship wide easter egg hunt that morning. Lots of chocolates for everyone, thanks to Joe’s mother. It made us feel a…Read More

Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark: Best Port Program – Ever.

While motoring into the city of Copenhagen, we were greeted by one of the largest bridges in the world connecting Malmö, Sweden with Copenhagen, Denmark. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out, not a single cloud in the…Read More

Holly Sailing Blog
The Wonders of Watch

Living on a tall ship while studying is something that many cannot imagine, let alone are able to share as their story for a year. This is something that I am immensely grateful for. I always enjoy port time: eating…Read More

Water Hero 2
To Poland in Two Parts

It was the most cinematic moment of my life.

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A Special Connection: Our North American Crossing

When you’ve been living on the ocean for a little while, you develop a deep connection, a unique bond with your surroundings that allows you to feel utterly connected with nature.

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How Sails Affect Me

There are many factors that contribute to how a sail affects me emotionally, and physically.

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Magical London

With our food stores diminished after 18 days at sea, we passed through the locks and under bridges into London where we left in the masses to explore.

Rosalie Sailing Blog
A Truth About Sailing

If you are like me, watching from the sidelines, not being a part of the action, is just something I don’t like.

Margeaux London
Dear London, I’ll be Back

Having five days to visit a place filled with art, culture, history and good food by ourselves was making everybody incredibly happy.

Summit Blog Myriam2
Reaching the Summit

Reaching the summit is a special moment for anyone having the nerves to climb all the way up.

Leimei Community Blog 1
On Land and at Sea: This is my Community

No one really thinks about the bond or community that the whole crew shares. Nobody would understand this except for the people who have been in the same situation.

@mrm Bl Whale
A Sail to Remember

As we left the beautiful islands of the Azores, we entered our second and last long sail of the year. We left behind us a picturesque painted dock filled with traces of Class Afloat’s early years and ours. With the…Read More

Rinsing Rough Wood
Chores Aboard the Gulden Leeuw

Just because there’s an endless supply of dirty undies and deck scrubbing doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.

Eloise London Blog
London is my city

We successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean for the second time and arrived in London! We arrived two days early at Canary Wharf, so we had one school day with an evening of shore leave and a full day of shore…Read More

Marilyn Tourangeau Photo
Parent Port Adventure

Hamilton, Bermuda was the port people were looking forward to most this second semester. Everyone was so excited to see his or her parents after sailing for one month. After ten days of sailing from Havana, we were finally entering…Read More

Eliane Picture
Dairy Island

After a 14 day sail and 2 days of anchor, the small community of our magnificent vessel was impatient to discover the Azores. Many of the students went to the grocery store to replenish their empty snack bag. The nights…Read More

Sao Miguel Island And Lake Ponta Delgada, Azores
Some Crossings Are Worth It

It all started in Bermuda, approximately 1700 nautical miles away from our destination: the Azores.

Dominica Sailing
Class Afloat: Season 2 Out Now!

Excitement for Season 2 of Class Afloat was shown with cheek-to-cheek smiles and many hugs, as if it had been months since we had seen each other.

Capitolio
A Class Afloat Visit to Colourful Cuba

Havana seemed to celebrate our arrival by showing its best side with loud music, traditional dancing, a welcoming community, and a vibrant culture.

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Love for the Ocean

We spent at least an hour gazing at the whales, shouting excitedly whenever one surfaced.

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Adventures in the Dominican Republic

During our visit in the Dominican Republic we worked with the Foundation Mahatma Ghandi.

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Cuba, What a Wonderful Place

Cuba…what I saw here swept me off my feet.

Misty Lilac Seascape With Pink Clouds
The Big Crossing

After the rough sail that we had from Cuba to Bermuda, I departed for the big journey (18 days of sailing until reaching the Azores) with a positive attitude.

Minke Whale
Not so Stinky Minkes

With “ouuuuu’s” and “ahhhh’s” from the crowd, two whales surfaced not even 20 feet from the ship!

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Engraved Forever

After a wonderful homestay in Dominican Republic, I had to come back to my good old ship, the Gulden Leeuw…

Instagram Top 10
Class Afloat Instagram Top Ten: March and April Edition!

This is not a serious contest. This is a way of showcasing our students’ awesomeness.

Aerial View Of Tropical Beach In Caribbean
Homestays in the Beautiful Dominican Republic

We sailed into the Dominican Republic on a beautiful calm morning and were welcomed by dozens of Humpback Whales!

Bowsprit
Nothing like the Bowsprit

Class Afloat provides students with various opportunities and tools to experience the ocean first-hand and as up close and personal as possible.

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Sailing from Cuba to Bermuda with Class Afloat: A Life Changing Experience

We departed from Cuba with a beautiful sunset of different tones of pink and yellow.

Gap Year Tall Ship
Experiences of a Lifetime with Class Afloat

After spending a wonderful time in the Dominican Republic we set off on an eight-day sail towards Havana.