Moving while you are standing still, gently rocking or violently holding on; the spray of water up the bow and over the deck; the whipping of the lines against the mast; and that sharp fwap when the wind fills the sail and the tension on the canvas seems like it can’t possibly last without tearing… sailing is a singular experience. And while we won’t be able to feel the wind on our faces, we will be able to board beautiful historic vessels at this weekend’s Tall Ships New Orleans 2018 event.
Six vessels entered the mouth of the Mighty Mississippi and were boarded on Tuesday, April 17 by river pilots to guide them up to New Orleans, battling the strong seasonal currents and the always-unpredictable river. The experienced pilots will sail four of the vessels to berth at Woldenberg Riverfront Park at the Aquarium of the Americas, and the two schooners, Schooner When and If and Privateer Schooner Lynx, will make their way to Pontchartrain Landing for the sold-out sailing excursions. The vessels should arrive in New Orleans on Thursday, April 19 to admire from afar, and then will be open for free tours beginning Friday, April 20.
“A no-charge event, Tall Ships New Orleans 2018 is a gift to New Orleans, with the chance to share our rich maritime history on the Mississippi River with students and the community,” said Premium Parking president and CEO Jim Huger, head of the New Orleans Tricentennial Tall Ships Committee, in a press release. “Our goal is to share the educational mission of each of the visiting ships to learn more about science and history and the impact both have had on our city.”
The three-masted Tall Ships that will be on the riverfront include: the 200 ft. SSV Oliver Hazard Perry; the 205 ft. Elissa; the 164 ft. Oosterschelde; and the 179 ft. Picton Castle.
The tours of the Tall Ships are free and open to the public. In addition, there are VIP FastPass tickets available for $125 that enable you to jump to the front of the lines and access a hospitality tent. There are also still tickets available for the fundraising Tall Ships Tricentennial Gala event. You can learn more and purchase tickets online here.
In conjunction with Tall Ships New Orleans 2018, it is also New Orleans Navy Week April 19-25. The river will be populated with vessels from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Great Britain and Canada as well. These ships will also be free and open to the public for tours.
If you plan to admire the vessels from afar, take good pictures. However, if you plan to board the vessels, remember that closed-toe rubber-bottomed shoes with good traction will serve you well. And unfortunately, because they need to be boarded via gangplank and may involve climbing steep stairs/ladders, the vessels are not ADA compliant.
The Tall Ships New Orleans 2018 schedule is:
Thursday, April 19
12:00 p.m. – Tall ships arrive into downtown New Orleans. All times approximate. Ships will dock at Woldenberg Riverfront Park at Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. (No public boarding day on day of arrival.)
Friday, April 20
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Pre-arranged school and social groups
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Tall ships open to the public. Admission is free.
Saturday, April 21
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Pre-arranged school and social groups
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Tall ships open to the public. Admission is free.
6:45 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. – Tall Ships Tricentennial Gala
Sunday, April 22
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Tall ships open to the public. Admission is free.
Monday, April 23
9:00 a.m. – Tall ships depart New Orleans.
The New Orleans Navy Week schedule is:
Friday, April 20
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – GPV HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN and USCG Cypress
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – GPV Various Navy Ships
Saturday, April 21
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – GPV Tall Ships
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – GPV US Coast Guard and Various Navy Ships
Sunday, April 22
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – GPV Tall Ships
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – GPV USS KEARSARGE
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – GPV US Coast Guard and Various Navy Ships
Monday, April 23
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – GPV FNS La Resolue
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – GPV US Coast Guard and Various Navy Ships
Tuesday, April 24
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – GPV US Coast Guard and Various Navy Ships
