SEA TRAVEL HOLIDAYS

Born on a Spanish beach

Sea Travel Holidays was established thirteen years ago by a retired mariner and former cook in the merchant marine named Willem Schinkel. The idea of establishing Sea Travel Holidays came to Willem after pensively sitting on a Spanish beach and seeing a commercial container ship off in the distance. Seeing the ship, Willem wondered what it would be like to sail a merchant ship as a passenger; out on a leisurely vacation but with a tinge of adventure. After all, who does not recall romantic old stories of men who would become sailors and travel to ports in other countries in search of excitement?

Returning home from his vacation that thought was still firmly on his mind and he decided to do further research into the possibility of people visiting other countries while sailing on a merchant ship. After much research, Willem discovered that, despite tough modern safety measures, it was still possible for passengers to travel on merchant ships. After making contacts with maritime companies Willem became “Captain” of Sea Travel Holidays, a venture that now has grown into a professional travel company. Willem enthusiastically dedicated himself to the company for 12 years, and before deciding to fully retire at age 76.

Prior to his official retirement Willem started looking for a successor among the six “mariners” working in the company. Naturally, a successor would first have to be able to meet Willem’s high expectations in regard to the necessary administrative skills, communication skills and customer service standards. Willem called a family meeting and posed the question to those who might have an interest in taking over the company and asked who wanted to apply for the position. In the end, Willem’s only daughter was chosen and Els Schinkel officially took over on October 1, 2007.

Naturally, Els has continued to receive much support and advice from her father. After all, one does not suddenly throw years of experience just overboard. Willem has continued working in the background on new travel possibilities and on keeping the company’s books. Sea Travel Holidays therefore continues to be a family enterprise and several “mariners” of the family continue to be involved in working with the company.

Gathering from the positive and enthusiastic reactions of travelers who have used the services of Sea Travel Holidays the company is here to stay. We intend to continue growing the enterprise that Willem started with the same energy, enthusiasm and dedication he gave it for so many years!

With Warm Regards,

Els Schinkel