Thanksgiving on-the-Sea
Make the stunning waters of the Caribbean your home away from home during the holidays!
Live aboard the tall ship Denis Sullivan during Thanksgiving break!
This isn’t just a break—it's a chance to create lifelong memories, discover new passions, and bond with fellow adventurers. Why settle for the ordinary when you can have an unforgettable holiday at sea?
You’ll work alongside our Deckhand Educators, Mate, and Captain, helping to operate and maintain the Denis Sullivan as a key member of the ship’s crew. Join us for a blue adventure this Thanksgiving!
Experience Thanksgiving Like Never Before: A High Seas Adventure
Where will this Adventure be?
Students will embark from St. Croix, USVI on an unforgettable journey, sailing through the US and Spanish Virgin Islands
Dive into crystal-clear waters as you snorkel in vibrant reefs, paddle through magical bioluminescent bays, and visit historic lighthouses
Cost and Requirements?
$2700 to gain access to a 9-day adventure with all meals, and activities included. No knowledge of sailing is required!
Who Will You Be Sailing With?
Join 17 adventurous high school students from across the world for an unforgettable Thanksgiving experience.
Professional crew including a Coast Guard Licensed Captain, Mate, Deckhand Educators, an Engineer, and a Cook
Reserve Your Spot Today:
Spaces are limited—don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Thanksgiving at sea!
See a Program in Action
About our schooner Denis Sullivan
Denis Sullivan is a 137’ wooden schooner owned by World Ocean School. She is our newest ship and is the sister ship to our schooner Roseway. She was built in 2000 in Milwaukee, WI after nearly a thousand people donated a million hours to complete her construction. She was built as the flagship of the State of Wisconsin and now makes her home with World Ocean School in Boston and St. Croix.
Life Aboard Denis Sullivan!
As a participant in the Thanksgiving at Sea program, you'll experience life aboard a tall ship, living like our professional crew members. You'll sleep in single bunks, clean up by jumping into the ocean or using buckets, and enjoy three daily meals prepared by our cook. Each day, you’ll join a Watch Group of 5-7 students, rotating through sailing activities under the guidance of experienced deckhand educators.
This immersive experience focuses on sailing, teamwork, and connecting with nature, with limited access to cell phones and technology during the voyage.
Watch Groups
Aboard a tall ship, your watch group is your home base—a group of 5-7 students with two or three crew members acting as your Watch Leaders. You'll rotate through all kinds of activities with your watch group while you're on board.
Chores
Everyone helps keep things clean aboard Denis Sullivan—all students participate in chores like washing dishes after meals and scrubbing Denis Sullivan's deck with the saltwater fire hose!
Daytime Rotations
While you sail, you and your group will rotate through three stations:
Active Watch
When you are on Active Watch, it means that your group is responsible for all aspects of sailing the ship, from steering and sail handling to completing hourly boat checks.
Seamanship Lessons
During Seamanship Lessons, your watch leaders will teach you a little bit of everything you need to know to be a sailor - knot-tying, shanty-singing, navigation, and more!
Reading & Reflection
Reading & Reflection is for taking a break from the action of the ship - time to read a book, write in your journal, draw the sunset, or just watch the ocean go by!
Stay Connected
Follow Your Adventure Through Our Ship’s Log
Due to cell phone restrictions, staying connected with family and friends is different—but just as exciting! They can follow your journey through our Online Ship's Log, which offers daily updates, stories from the crew, and a "Where's Denis Sullivan?" feature to track your adventures in real-time. This way, your loved ones can share in your experiences while you're immersed in this unforgettable voyage.
