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  Running westwards before the southeast tradewinds we will head for Pt Vila, the capital at the southern end of the Vanuatu group. Sailing downwind, this will give a taste of the beauty and freedom of an ocean passage and we will all be involved with the watch system, helping steer the ship and handle the sails and keep lookout.
The transit time from Fiji, depending on the winds will be 3 to 5 days and this will allow us to spend a few days sailing north through the fascinating islands of central Vanuatu.
  We have found so many 'favourite places' in Vanuatu during our voyaging here that choosing a route can be difficult... The serene anchorage at Pt Havana makes a great overnight stop at Efate.
There are choices of a visit to a custom village on Malakula, or a call at the small communities of the Mescalyne islands.
 At anchor at Epi, if we're lucky, we may swim with the tame dugong there, or at Ambrym make a jungle trek inland to a traditional custom village.
This voyage will finish at Luganville, Santo which was the main American base during WW2 and is a short internal flight to the capital Port Vila with its international air connection.
Vanuatu is a Malaria Risk Area so insect repellent is vital and it is recommended that you check with your own doctor for the requirements this area whether malaria medication is necessary or suitable for you.
 On arriving onboard you will be shown your berths, introduced to the crew, and signed on Ship's Articles as Voyage Crew members. Much of the first morning will be spent introducing you to the ship and explaining the various routines, safety procedures and equipment and how the watch system works.
During the short sea passage from Fiji to Vanuatu the ship is sailing 24 hours a day and as voyage crew you will stand deck watches and work within a normal 4 hours on / 8 hours off watch system.
 Our sailing between anchorages in the island groups may involve some motoring but also some quite intense sail handling. However this allows those who would rather relish the amazing scenery to stand back and let the keener sailors get involved in handling the ship under sail. Everyone is involved in the duty watch system as Voyage Crew which will operate while we are under way and you may have your turn at the helm, on bow lookout or helping trim sail or help tack ship. Going aloft is a unique experience but is not compulsory and everyone can decide when or if they’d like to. People of all ages join us and many have never sailed before - previous experience is certainly not necessary.
 There are 13 permanent crew who maintain and sail the ship who are there to assist and help you enjoy your time aboard. Once we drop anchor the deck watch is undertaken by the permanent crew and you the Voyage Crew are free to explore ashore.
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Fiji to Vanuatu
From Lautoka we will cruise to the Yasawa islands, a half day’s sail to the west and spend two or three days amongst these exceptionally beautiful islands, with each night at anchor. We hope to organise an evening ashore at one of the villages, probably on Waya island, to see the local dancing and hear the fantastic Fijian singing.
The coral around the anchorages is some of the most colourful and accessible we'll see and snorkel on from the ship's inflatable boat.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION 
Now famous for providing sail training adventure voyages and as the star of the BBC’s classic series "The Onedin Line", the Soren Larsen was originally one of the last cargo carrying sailing ships trading throughout Scandinavia, northern Europe and Britain. Built of oak by the Danish ship building company of 'Soren Larsen & Sons' in Nykobing Mors in northern Denmark, she carried timber, grain and general cargo from 1949 to 1972. Purchased in 1978 by Tony Davies and his family, she was taken to Colchester on the east coast of England and lovingly restored and rerigged as the graceful 19th century brigantine she is today. Captain Davies specialised in period film work and so the Soren Larsen began her working life again in early 1979 starring in "The Onedin Line". Other projects followed including "The French Lieutenant’s Woman" and "Shackleton". In 1982 she was invited to pioneer sailing for the disabled for the Jubilee Sailing Trust in Southampton before being chosen, in 1987, to be Flagship of the First Fleet Re-enactment Voyage to celebrate Australia’s Bicentennial. She led a fleet of squareriggers on an ambitious 22,000 mile voyage from Portsmouth via Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town, arriving to a tumultuous welcome in Sydney in 1988.
After a major refit in the UK at Gloucester, Soren Larsen returned home to Auckland. She established herself as 'Flagship of the City of Sails' and has won Tourism Awards for Adventure and Experience categories. This illustrious ship celebrated the Millennium with a spectacular round the world voyage, the 2000-2001 Global Odyssey, visiting 25 countries and sailing 30,000 nautical miles. This 2008 project sets out to visit the further corners of the Polynesian Triangle and visit the very best of the untouched tropical South Pacific. 
