Over the next five days, we’ll be sharing our Owners Event story with you. Together with a group of Princess owners we planned to make the crossing to the UK with London as final destination. It was a unique and educational event, led by a professional skipper who wanted to share all his knowledge and experience with our participants. They experienced the exceptional aboard their own Princess. Follow our story!
DAY 1
On a beautiful, sunny Friday afternoon, the Princess Owners moored in the Stellendam marina. During a great dinner in restaurant Basta, they received the itinerary and an extensive briefing about the route and the ‘do’s and don’ts’ from our lead captain Mario Martens of Navi Yachting. Under his inspiring leadership we will set sail for Ramsgate. We enjoyed a spectacular sunset and returned to our Princesses after a last drink.
DAY 2
At the crack of dawn the wind had increased considerably. As wonderfully calm as it was last night, it was so turbulent on the second day and we therefore decided to wait a little longer for a ‘good weather window’. After we passed through the Stellendam lock in one batch, it turned out to be too turbulent to sail comfortably to Ramsgate and we set course for the marina of Blankenberge. There we were beautifully positioned one behind the other by the harbor master and, after a very pleasant drink, we ended up in a wonderful Italian restaurant with 24 enthusiastic Princess owners. Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow!
DAY 3
Making choices. Sailing straight to London in these weather conditions and with the upcoming weather forecast, would mean we could only spend one day in the British capital. We therefore democratically decided to change course to the Willemdok in Antwerp. We did not leave Blankenberge without a fight, but once past Zeebrugge the sea calmed down and we were able to increase our speed. It got even better when we sailed up the Schelde while enjoying the nice sun we went through the lock in one go and we were again assigned beautiful places in the port of Antwerp. We treated ourselves to a late lunch and first drinks on the aft deck. A great feeling after a wonderful day.
DAY 4
On the fourth day of our Owners Event, everyone wandered out into Antwerp on their own accord. Nice terraces, good restaurants and countless other hotspots can be found quickly in this Belgian port city. And after we approached the end of a perfect day with a good glass of rosé and exciting music on board, we went out for dinner in the Peerdestal. It might not be London, but it was at least as much fun!
DAY 5
Slowly we had to prepare for the return journey. After a spectacular (!) trip directly through the port of Antwerp, we sailed in the direction of Willemstad where we said goodbye to 2 of the 7 ships that returned to our harbour in Heusden. With the remaining 5 ships we enjoyed a ‘farewell dinner’ in ‘het Wapen van Willemstad‘ after we had them properly berthed in the bowl of the city harbor. The next day we also waved goodbye to our last guests when they returned to their home port.
Although the Owners Event ‘Destination London’ ended somewhere else, it was an event to remember. The PYB crew would like to thank all participants for an unforgettable weekend. Our special thanks go to Mario Martens for helping to organize the trip as well as for his guidance and advice while cruising. It all contributed to this incredibly fun, educational, and special experience. We would like to make another attempt to reach London next year. Are you sailing? See you then!
