Please enjoy the article below written by the student journalists of The Alphonsus Post.
More Than a School Trip: SailFuture Sailing Expedition
July 2026 - The Alphonsus Post
Written by Reilly
No one told me that a school trip could change my life. And if you had told me any day before June 22, I wouldn’t have believed you. But after spending seven days on a sailboat in the Caribbean with an amazing crew, nine other Liguori students, Ms. Sammy, and Ms. Lauren, it’s undeniable.
I stepped onto that boat nervous, excited, eager for the experience, and completely clueless about how much that week would change me. I came home with countless memories, 16 new friendships, and even more lessons learned. Those seven days were jam-packed with adventure, connection, laughter, and learning.
The week started with job assignments. We students were given the opportunity to choose from five different responsibilities, each one important in its own way. Lyla, Jaslene, Madison, and Charlee chose the galley team. They worked alongside Nanna, a crew member on the boat, to provide three meals a day for everyone. Aniya and Milly chose the interior team. They also worked with Nanna to maintain a clean, safe, and organized interior on the boat. Tatiana, Armani, and I chose bridge and deck. Our responsibility was to work with Captain Bailey to make sure everything on the boat was secure, safe, clean, and ready for passage. Aeryn chose engineering and worked with Will, the boat’s engineer, to make sure everything behind the scenes was running smoothly. After choosing our responsibilities, it was up to us to spend two hours every day working alongside one another to get the job done.
We spent three days in Barbados, and on day two, after our first 24 hours on the boat, Nanna had each of us write a letter to ourselves that we would open later in the trip. In those letters, we reflected on who we were, who we wanted to become, forgave ourselves for our mistakes, and shared our hopes with one another.
Day three was spent volunteering at a nonprofit soup kitchen called Slow Food in St. Peter. They work tirelessly every day to provide soup for those in need. After spending a couple of hours chopping potatoes…we chopped even more. I think it’s safe to say that by the end of the day, everyone’s wrists needed a break. While helping prepare the soup, we learned so much about the organization’s mission, and needless to say, the sore wrists were definitely worth it.
On day four, at 12:30 AM, we set sail on a 17-hour passage to the island of Bequia (pronounced “Beck-way”) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The trip was long, nauseating, and educational. Every student, along with Ms. Sammy and Ms. Lauren, had the opportunity to take the helm and steer the boat. With little sleep, one throw-up bucket, lots of Dramamine, and even more encouragement from the crew, we arrived in Bequia at 3:00 PM.
With its crystal-clear water, beautiful scenery, flourishing marine life, and welcoming community, Bequia definitely left its mark on us. One morning, we hiked to the highest point on the island, the peak of Mount Peggy. On our way up, we met three furry friends—stray dogs that followed us the entire hike. We named them Harry, Jessie, and Donda. After hours of climbing, Tatiana, Armani, Aniya, Milly, Maddie, Hunter, Ms. Sammy, and I made it to the top alongside our newfound friends. It was hot, exhausting, and completely worth it. From the summit, we had incredible views of the entire island, sore feet, and, not to mention, bragging rights that we definitely earned.
Bequia treated us well, but after almost four days there, we set sail once again to make our way back to Barbados. And once again, Dramamine played a major role in getting us there in one piece. On our passage back, Mike, the founder of SailFuture Academy, put a fishing line out and caught a blue marlin just before we sailed straight into a storm. With rain pelting our faces and the boat rocking every which way, we continued our journey. At 3:30 AM, we anchored safely back in Barbados and finally got a well-deserved night’s sleep.
Our last night in Barbados was spent at a restaurant—our first and only meal on land during the entire trip. The evening was filled with laughter, reflection, connection, and the bittersweet realization that we’d be heading home the next morning. We enjoyed one last meal together before returning to the boat for our final night being rocked to sleep by the waves.
At 4:30 the next morning, we woke up, said our goodbyes, and took one last look at the boat before heading to the airport.
I’m realizing now, as I sit here writing this, that I could spend hours describing everything we did in immense detail, and still, the only people who will ever truly understand the impact of that trip are the people who were on that boat.
The entire experience taught us so much about ourselves and each other. I left with new friends I can’t wait to get to know beyond a sailboat and beyond school. I left with a heart full of memories that I’ll carry forever. And I left knowing that the sky is only the limit if I don’t limit myself.
So to SailFuture and every single person who was on that boat, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
