FAQ Frequently asked questions
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
In this case our cancellation terms apply to you, and you can find them herenamely paragraph 8, cancellation of the contract by the participant. When cancelling participation in a voyage, it matters very much when you inform us of this fact – see the Terms and Conditions.
We strongly recommend taking out insurance for such cases! Cancellation insurance is offered by many insurance companies, and we will supply you with all the documents that the insurer will require from us. Another option is to send someone else on the voyage in your place.
Potraviny nakupujeme společně na celou plavbu a jejich cena je potom rozpočítána stejným dílem mezi všechny účastníky plavby. Každý účastník tedy zaplatí pouze cenu potravin v obchodě. Vzhledem k velikosti lodní kuchyně není možné, aby si každý vařil sám z vlastních potravin. Současně se cena potravin může mírně lišit podle země, ve které je budeme nakupovat. Proto se také může příspěvek na jídlo mírně lišit podle místa vyplutí. Ve většině zemí náklady počítáme jako 14 euro na člověka na den. V této ceně je zahrnuto i pití: voda, šťáva, čaj i káva. Z částky do lodní pokladny se také hradí potřebné toaletní a čistící prostředky.
V nákladech nejsou započítány alkoholické ani balené nealkoholické nápoje.
O potřebné částce na den si rozhoduje skupina sama a není problém ji libovolně zvýšit na různé oslavy, nebo třeba dražší a bohatší menu dle dohody.
The contribution to the ship's fund covers the cost of water, gas for cooking, petrol for the outboard motor and mooring in marinas and ports. On a typical week-long voyage these come to a maximum of around 105 Euro. On the basis of our many years of experience we are able to use your money in such a way that you stay within this amount.
So in total: if you have no special requirements, we have set the highest possible ceiling for the costs paid on board at 4.375,-Kč or 175 euro per week. (information valid for 2023)
We are not a travel agency, and so the cadets themselves buy the things they need with the money from this fund. We collect the money in cash, which we then use for all your payments during your trip. In a bank account or in the Czech Republic this money would be of little use to us. From an accounting point of view too, this way is much simpler, because the money buys goods taxed in the particular country in which we are sailing.
Boarding takes place on the day the voyage starts, usually between 15:00 and 17:00. By prior arrangement it is possible to board later, because the ship usually stays in place until the next day. We never know the exact place in advance. The anchorages tend to be full, and not every one of them can always be used, given the weather. That is why it is always necessary, on the morning before boarding, to write or telephone the captain on +420 604 269 192 and arrange the details of boarding with him. The ship's position can also easily be followed at:
https://www.vesselfinder.com/?mmsi=270467000
or
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:838195/mmsi:270467000/imo:0/vessel:LA_GRACE
The ship is usually already in place the evening before boarding.
A cadet is not a professional but a completely ordinary person (often with no experience or practice) who wants to experience a voyage on a historic ship at first hand, so to speak. During the voyage the cadets are divided into watches of 2-4 hours. The watch takes care of steering, lookout duty on the bow, adjusting the sail trim and small everyday repairs. All the cadets then help together with the bigger operations, such as setting and furling the sails, anchoring the ship and cleaning her. About once a week each cadet will also have galley duty as the cook's assistant. Cadets are accommodated in the ship's communal spaces, in hammocks or in cabins for 3 people.
Passengers have no obligation to take part in the training or in the handling or operation of the ship, except in emergency situations. But if they feel like it, we will be very glad to involve them in the training or in any of the activities on board. They are accommodated in cabins for a maximum of 2 people.
Yes, that's not a problem. If you have some serious reason why you couldn't manage it, we won't force you. There are many different tasks to be taken care of on the ship, and even when handling the sails a considerable part of the lines is worked from the deck. Nevertheless, a cadet who doesn't climb up to the crow's nest is robbing himself of one of the most beautiful experiences of all. Climbing the rigging is surprisingly easy. On ships like ours, cadets from the age of 15 work on the yards without any problem, but seventy-year-olds are no exception either. If there are not enough people willing to help us on the masts during the voyage, we will set only a limited number of sails, or we will sail under engine alone.
In many countries around the world La Grace has permission to take on board up to 12 guests accommodated in five separate cabins with their own bathroom, always shared between two cabins. The cabins are always let as a whole and it is entirely up to you whether you use one as an individual, a couple or a family (that is, two adults and a child on an extra bed). The price is always the same. However, we are primarily a school and club ship, so we don't always take guests. Ask in advance whether it is possible on the particular session.
No, we will show you everything and teach you. It just takes effort and willingness on your part. We have prepared a simple handbook. In it you can get to know the terminology, the commands, or the manoeuvres. In time we hope to manage to open a small training centre for cadets in the Czech Republic. The La Grace Cadet Handbook is available to download.
Exaggerated worries are unnecessary. Motion sickness is a state of the organism in which the perception of movement by the vestibular system does not agree with visual perception. It is a short-lived phenomenon and fortunately not noticeable in everyone. Over the years of practice we have gained a great deal of experience in how to deal with it, and believe us, we will drive it out of your head in a suitable way. If you are still worried, it is always possible to reach preventively for remedies such as kinedril, nokinal, or torekan suppositories, which are commonly available in every pharmacy. The very good news is that La Grace is already a fairly large and heavy ship, so you will soon find that she rolls significantly less than other ships. People rarely suffer from seasickness on her.
That depends very much on the season, the route, and the length and character of the voyage.
For an easy-going summer voyage, bring: Light summer clothing (shorts, T-shirts, sandals). You will use those the most. For the evening, a long-sleeved T-shirt, trousers/tracksuit bottoms and a hoodie or a sweater. Clean trainers with non-slip soles for moving about on deck (water shoes, if you use them). A windbreaker or something waterproof in case you take part in night sailing. A light-coloured peaked cap or a hat, swimwear and sunglasses. Travel documents (passports valid for at least several more months). Valid insurance covering medical expenses abroad, money and payment cards. Personal medicines, sun creams and toiletries. A sheet and a sleeping bag or blanket. If you want to sleep on deck or on the beach and watch the stars, bring a sleeping mat as well. A diving mask, fins and a snorkel (if you are interested in the underwater world). And above all, a good mood! Cadets will certainly also appreciate: Good shoes for climbing the rigging (trainers are best). A torch for the night watches, ideally a head torch. Waterproof sailing clothing (if you have any). Don't bring suitcases or rucksacks with a rigid frame! Use luggage that folds up easily and doesn't take up too much space. Don't bring suitcases on the voyage!
Stačí vám jídlo pouze na cestu. Na palubě potom zaplatíte příspěvek do lodní a jídelní pokladny. Standardně s vámi na lodi počítáme s večeří v den nalodění a končíte snídaní poslední den plavby. Potraviny pro 35 lidí není možné vozit po jednom z ČR. A také není možné si vařit jednotlivě. Potraviny nakoupíme na místě společně. Všeho je dostatek. Navíc si s sebou vezměte jen své oblíbené soukromé pamlsky jako je pivo a jiný alkohol :-D, sušenky a sladkosti.
Pokud nám chcete pomoci nabídněte nám volné místo v autě a my ho využijeme na potraviny, které jsou v dané lokalitě drahé, nebo je neseženeme. Třeba maso, salámy, chleba, ocet, majoránka, či hrubá mouka apod. Seznam rádi připravíme a finančně se vyrovnáme na palubě po vašem příjezdu.
Yes. We cook for vegetarians as a matter of course. For vegans we do our best, but we will expect a degree of tolerance from you. If you have allergies and tell our cook about them in advance, we will manage. What concerns us most is gluten allergy. We understand that separate cooking will be needed, but the necessary ingredients are often hard to find, so we ask you to bring them with you. These private supplies of yours are not deducted from the rest of the catering.
Unfortunately, La Grace is not entirely suitable for your pets. Small, clean breeds of animal (max. 8 kg) may be an exception. The owner is fully responsible for their darling for the duration of the voyage! In any case, think carefully about whether to bring your pet, since a stay on the ship can be stressful for it, and above all always discuss its participation with the ship's captain in advance.
A permanent crew of 4-7 people is on board to run the ship. If you are planning a group programme for children, that is games, competitions or a pirate treasure hunt, consider whether you will prepare it yourselves. In that case we will help with what the ship allows and with the choice of location. The other option is a turnkey programme from us. Please tell us in advance, ideally when booking the ship, and we will take one extra person into the permanent crew for the voyage. All we ask is one free sleeping place for that person and an amount of 500 Kč/dítě/týden to cover preparing the games, props and prizes for the children.
Groups often try to squeeze extra people on board to save money. We hear that it is nothing, that the person will sleep on deck, or that it is only a child. Please do not do this. It is not only that the maximum number of persons is set by law and by the ship's safety equipment. The whole ship is dimensioned for the maximum we offer you. With extra people there is not enough stowage, the heads cannot keep up, there is less fresh water and less food to go round. If it really is unavoidable, we will make an exception by arrangement for a specific voyage that meets the regulations, which allow a reserve of 2 people. It will be at the hammock price, not free of charge.
We understand that after a good experience with certain members of the permanent crew you ask whether you can sail with them again. The La Grace schedule, however, is drawn up more than a year in advance and changes to it are not always possible. Where we can, we will accommodate you by arrangement. It is more likely, though, that you will sail with the crew scheduled for that date. All our people are good. If that does not suit you, you may by arrangement bring your favourite cook at your own expense, or move to a voyage where that person is free.
If you have decided to book the whole ship, always bear in mind that together you will have to ensure the running of the ship, from climbing the yards to galley duty. If you know that you won't manage it, or if you are already planning that all of you will come as guests, please tell us in advance, and if you leave us at least 8 free beds (in the forecastle), we will find you a bunch of sailors from the La Grace club who will take care of running the ship for you (free of charge).
La Grace is a ship for 38 people who live together in a space smaller than 24x6 metres. That is demanding for anyone who does not feel comfortable in a large group, and it calls for considerate, well-mannered behaviour towards one another. That is rarely a problem. What can become one is snoring. Nobody can help it, so if you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs. The other option is to sleep on deck.
However large La Grace may seem to you, even a much bigger Boeing measures and weighs luggage carefully. Please do not bring things you will not need. On board we can store roughly one larger and one smaller bag, that is about as much as an aircraft takes. Even so, you will soon find you use less than half of it during the voyage.