3 Reasons To Climb The Crow’s Nest

28th June 2019

One of the many fantastic activities on offer during a Star Clippers cruise is the opportunity to climb up to the Crow’s Nest. Obviously, you’ll be safely attached to a harness with experienced crew members watching you, but the 65-feet ascent to the top of the mast is a great way to get the adrenaline pumping.

You may not immediately think that this is an activity for you, but there are plenty of reasons why you might want to give it a go.

For The Views

Wherever you stand on the sun deck, you’re sure to enjoy some fantastic views in all directions. However, there’s no doubting the fact that the best vistas can be experienced from up high in the Crow’s Nest. The reward for your climb is the chance to look out to sea and soak up your breathtaking surroundings without anyone or anything being able to block your view. You’re going to want your camera so you can capture some great pictures of the endless horizons or of your latest port of call.

If you can bring yourself to do it, you may also want to look down. A bird’s eye view is the best vantage point to truly appreciate the amount of rigging and sails used on our clipper ships. On Royal Clipper, there are 56,000 square feet of sail all around you.

To Face Your Fears

If you’re usually not good with heights, this could be the perfect opportunity to face your fear. Not only will you be strapped into a harness and watched by the crew at all times, but the ladder up which you climb will also be tethered in place by a metal safety cable, ensuring it doesn’t move around as you scale the rungs. The activity will only take place when the weather and sailing conditions permit it, so you can be sure it’s safe.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to conquer your acrophobia or maybe a spontaneous burst of bravery will cause you to do something that you would usually think twice about. Either way, you won’t regret making the decision.

To Feel Like An Authentic Sailor

There are plenty of ways that you can live out your sailing dreams on a Star Clippers cruise, but climbing to the Crow’s Nest is one of the best. Invented in 1807 by William Scoresby, the famous look-out point played an important role in a ship’s navigation until the arrival of radar in 1935. Whether you believe that the name derives from the fact that Vikings would strap crows to the top of their ships’ masts to help navigate in bad conditions or that the moniker was simply given because the structure resembles a crow’s nest in a tree, there’s no denying its link to the grand old days of sailing.

If you’re really interested in sailing, you may also know that time in the Crow’s Nest was used as a punishment once upon a time. Because the movement of the vessel is greatly exaggerated at that height, it would make even the most experienced seamen feel queasy. And what better way to see what it’s like up there than to make the climb during your cruise with us.

If you would like to know about the itineraries we have available, you can call the team on 0845 200 6145 or speak to someone via our online chat.