Emperor's Route

Sailing with Join The Crew

For travellers who want to spend more time under sail and be fully involved in life on board. Take an active role in the crew, help hoist the sails, steer the yacht and experience the adventure of sailing firsthand. The focus is on unforgettable days at sea, shared challenges and life as a real crew.

How challenging is the tour?

• During our week, we will cover approximately 200 nautical miles.
• During the day, we are usually active for about 4 to 8 hours (including swimming stops).
• No sailing experience is required for this tour.
• Being able to swim freely for at least 20 minutes is a must.

This tour is suitable for you if you meet the following criteria:

• You have a strong interest in sailing and are eager to take on sailing challenges.
• You should be motivated to contribute to the daily sailing activities with the crew. This includes sailing itself, meal preparation, as well as cleaning up and washing dishes after meals.

Your Crew:

• The onboard language is English.
• Most guests book as solo travellers.
• You’ll be sharing the boat with an amazing crew of people from all over the world.
• On every boat: JTC skipper from our Academy.
• Right after booking, you’ll get access to the group chat for all participants.
• The crew chat opens after the crew allocation, approximately two weeks before the start of the trip.

Cabin & Crew Arrangement:

• If the yacht is fully booked up to two weeks before departure, we aim for a 50/50 gender mix on board.
• Your cabin mate will be of the same gender.
• Couples and small groups are relatively rare.
• Groups of 4 or more should book their own private yacht. More info here!
• Any preferences regarding crew allocation can simply be added in the booking form.

Our Flotilla (Multiple Yachts):

• All yachts booked for the same dates travel together as one flotilla.
• During the day, the yachts regularly meet while sailing.
• Shared swimming stops are planned spontaneously on site.
• If we don’t cook dinner on board, we usually go to the same restaurant together.
• At night, each yacht either anchors separately or we raft the yachts together.
• Shore activities are organised together as a group.

• All yachts are exclusively reserved in advance for our crews.
• If there are multiple options available for a specific date, you can choose the yacht standard that suits you best.
• Detailed information about the yacht standard can be found in the respective description.Your exact yacht model will be announced after the crew allocation, approximately two weeks before the tour starts.
• Most trips take place on classic sailing yachts (monohulls).You can find an overview of all catamaran trips here.

Easy payment:

• Deposit: 30% of the tour price upon booking.
• Final payment: 6 weeks before the start of the tour.
• Payment methods: Bank transfer, Credit card, ApplePay, AndroidPay, Klarna.

Reserve for 5 days at no cost:

• Your reservation will be held for 5 days, just select it in the booking form.
• Possible until 6 weeks before the start of the tour.
• If you don't book, the reservation will expire automatically after 5 days

Cooking or Dining Out:

• We usually prepare our meals on board ourselves.
• On some days, we have the opportunity to eat out ashore in the evenings.
• When cooking, we can form teams of two, so that each person takes turns cooking/washing up. However, everyone usually helps out anyway.

Preparation in advance:

• In the crew chat, we can discuss meal and beverage planning before the tour begins.
• If you have any intolerances or allergies, please inform us in advance in the crew chat so that they can be taken into account during shopping.

Shopping:

• On the first day of the tour, we'll plan our shopping together using the JTC shopping list. You can find this in your crew area under "my tours".
• As a crew, we all buy groceries together for our week.
• Each person should bring two large cloth bags so that we don't have to use plastic bags on site.
• If the supermarket is not within walking distance, we can have the groceries delivered to the harbor by taxi.
• During the tour, we have the opportunity to buy small items on land.

Arrival:

• Airport: Pisa.
• Our Marina: Marina Cala de Medici.
• Your route from the airport to the marina on Google Maps.

Check-in:

• Your crew will meet at 1:00 PM in a café, which will be announced in the crew chat.
• If you are arriving late, please inform your skipper.
• We will leave the starting port on Sunday morning.

Check-out:

• At the end of the trip, we will reach our destination port as planned on Friday around 5:00 PM.
• We will spend the last night in the harbor and leave the boat on Saturday at 9:00 AM.

How do I book my flight?

• Ideally, book your flight so that you are on time for the first meeting at the café (or the day before, so you are more rested and can certainly get to know some of your fellow sailors the evening before).
• Your flight should ideally depart no earlier than Saturday around 12:00 PM, so you can have a relaxed breakfast with your crew after the week. If that's not possible, you can book your return flight from 7:00 AM on Saturday.

What should I pack?

• Most of our crewmates travel with only hand luggage.
• In any case, you should use a soft bag, as a rigid suitcase takes up too much space in the bunk.
• Important for sustainability: biodegradable hygiene products (shampoo, sunscreen, etc.).
• For the night outdoors under the starry sky, you should bring a sleeping bag.
• A towel, pillow, pillowcase, wool blanket, and a sheet for the mattress are usually provided on most trips.
• Here you’ll find a detailed packing list.
• The crew fund does not need to be brought in cash. Most expenses can be paid on site by card or withdrawn in cash.

Climate

• Warmest months: July & August
• Average temperature: 30°C during the day, 18°C at night
• Average # of rainy days: ​​​​​​1

• Coldest months: December & January
• Average temperature: 6°C during the day, -4°C at night
• Average # of rainy days: 7

Mobile reception & electricity

Mobile reception:

• Reasonably good network coverage on most days of our route.
• Depending on the bay, weather, and distance, there may be times without reception.
• No roaming charges for EU phones (* fees may vary depending on the provider).

Electricity:

• Smartphones and other small devices can be charged on board via the 12V connection.
• In most harbors, other devices like cameras and laptops can be charged via shore power (220 V) during the docked time.
• A power bank is a must.

Currency, prices & tips

Currency:

• Payment is in euros.
• Payment with debit/credit cards is possible.

Prices:

• Restaurant visit: Approximately €20 to €40 per person.
• Examples: Pizza: €14, Local beer: €4, Cappuccino: €2.50.
• Grocery prices can vary depending on the store, location, and offers.

Tips:

• Average tip: 10%.

Culture

• Elba is known as the place where Napoleon was exiled, and its historical legacy is still palpable.
• The island boasts beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, perfect for diving and snorkeling.
• Its cuisine blends Tuscan traditions with seafood and fresh island produce.

Safety in the country

• Italy and France are considered safe countries for solo travelers.
• Keep important documents and cash secure.
• A printed or digital copy of your documents is advisable.
• Beware of pickpockets in general.

Entry requirements & vaccinations

For Schengen Zone citizens:

• A valid ID card or passport is required.

For other nationalities:

• Please check the current entry requirements on the website of the Foreign Office before booking.

Vaccination:

• No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry.
• Your standard vaccinations, according to the vaccination schedule of the Robert Koch Institute, should be up to date.
• For questions, consult your family doctor (or tropical medicine specialist).