Barefoot Cruising Returns: Tall Ships, Windjammer Way & Adventure at Sea | Yachting USA - PODCAST

Описание: Barefoot cruising is returning, and it challenges almost everything modern cruising has become.

In this episode of Yachting USA, host Rick Thomas sits down with Charles J. Kropke, CEO of The Windjammer Way, to explore the revival of tall-ship sailing and the return of barefoot cruising built on freedom, flexibility, and authentic connection at sea.

Charles shares how Windjammer is rebuilding an iconic model rooted in small-ship exploration, captain-led itineraries, and deep respect for Caribbean culture and marine environments. Central to this story is the Mandalay, a 1923 sailing vessel with a remarkable history spanning luxury yachting and some of the most significant scientific research ever conducted at sea.

This conversation goes beyond nostalgia and into the realities of scale, examining how mass cruising has reshaped the guest experience, why smaller sailing ships can reach places others cannot, and how crew culture, community, and purpose play a defining role in meaningful travel on the ocean.

Listeners will gain insight into how Windjammer sits between luxury yacht charter and boutique cruising, why flexible itineraries matter, and how partnerships with research institutions and ocean science organizations are shaping the future of experiential sailing.

Episode Topics Include
• What barefoot cruising really means in today’s market
• Why tall ships offer access and authenticity big vessels cannot
• The Mandalay’s legacy as both a luxury yacht and research vessel
• Captain-led itineraries versus fixed cruise schedules
• Crew culture, community, and the human side of life at sea
• Ocean science, research partnerships, and stewardship
• Where boutique cruising fits into the future of yachting

Guest
Charles J. Kropke
CEO, The Windjammer Way
https://www.thewindjammerway.com

Host
Rick Thomas

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 ATPI Travel
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ATPI Travel provides global travel management solutions for the maritime and yachting industries, supporting crews, executives, and operations with expert logistics, risk management, and sector-specific expertise worldwide.

https://www.atpi.com