Aboard their vessel Maverick, the Schröder family has embarked on a global journey of discovery.
At just 14 years old, Tom Schröder could never have imagined that his passion for sailing would evolve into an epic ocean odyssey spanning the globe. Three decades later, he, his wife Jeannine, and their four sons are setting sail on a seven-year voyage aboard Maverick, a 146-foot explorer yacht.
“I sold my business in 2019, and then COVID hit,” recalls Schröder, a venture capitalist based near Cologne. “We were homebound for a year, and the tight quarters brought us even closer as a family. It worked out so well, we came up with the idea for this world cruise”
Their ambitious itinerary includes Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, with plans to venture through the Arctic Circle, Antarctica, Cape Horn, and the Northwest Passage—some of the most remote waters on Earth. The first nine weeks in the Red Sea served as a shakedown cruise for Maverick, the inaugural vessel in Italy-based yacht builder CDM’s Flexplorer 146 series. With its robust steel hull and expansive rear deck that houses a 33-foot custom tender, a range of toys, and a dive center, the yacht was an ideal choice.
Customization was key for the family, particularly to accommodate their youngest son, 11-year-old Fil, who has Down syndrome. “We designed the interior to be as family-friendly as possible,” says Schröder. He and Jeannine share the owner’s deck, which includes their bedroom and Fil’s dual-purpose bedroom/classroom, both with private terraces at the front and back. Their older sons—19-year-old Pit, 22-year-old Ben, and 25-year-old Tim (along with his partner)—have their own staterooms on the main and lower decks.
The open-plan interior fosters interaction among the family, a crew of seven, a teacher, and a speech therapist. “It’s not your typical owner-crew relationship,” says Schröder.
“We do a lot together. Right now, here in Gibraltar, my eldest son is making lunch with the chef”
During their time in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the family bonded over unforgettable experiences: exploring the pyramids of Cairo, enjoying a private Nile River cruise, and staying at Shebara Island—part of Saudi Arabia’s visionary Red Sea Project. “We were one of just five yachts in the region,” Schröder shares. A drive through the desert led them to AlUla, a historic desert city surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. “The blend of ancient structures with modern architecture was breathtaking,” he says. “And the people—so respectful, welcoming, and wonderful.”
Education and structure are key on board, especially for Fil, who thrives with a mix of fun and tutoring. “We’re really happy. It’s worked out well with him,” says Schröder. Thanks to Maverick’s satellite connectivity, Tim can continue his work as a digital programmer, while Tom manages business affairs through daily video calls.
Their upcoming summer route will bring them through Scandinavia, up to the Arctic to explore Spitsbergen, Iceland, and Greenland, before heading down the U.S. East Coast to the Bahamas for winter. The family avoids geopolitical hot spots, steering clear of areas like Houthi-controlled waters in the Red Sea.
But this journey isn’t just about wanderlust. For the first two years, the entire family will live aboard Maverick. After that, Tom, Jeannine, and Fil will alternate six-month stays between Germany and the yacht while their older sons transition into adulthood. That stage will last another 30 months and culminate in the Galápagos. The final leg remains flexible but is expected to include a return across the Indian Ocean, around Africa, and back to the Mediterranean—where the voyage began. A full circle, proving that even the most adventurous souls still long for home.
Ownership isn’t a requirement for life-changing yachting experiences, as one family of eight discovered on a recent Antarctic expedition aboard the 254-foot explorer Legend. “The whales were the highlight,” says Rob McCallum, co-founder of EYOS Expeditions, which curates off-the-grid luxury charters.
“One minke whale was so curious it kept swimming alongside and even rose vertically beside the kayak”
McCallum encourages clients to list preferences—“hot, cold, or temperate; submersible, helicopter, wildlife, skiing”—to tailor the perfect expedition. One group of longtime friends opted for a heli-skiing adventure in Greenland. Each morning, two helicopters whisked them to untouched slopes for a dramatic descent toward the Arctic coastline. “A yacht is like a cocoon of luxury on a frozen sea,” McCallum notes. “These trips keep friendships alive in incredible ways.”
Meanwhile, a family of four explored the Solomon Islands aboard the 208-foot expedition yacht SuRi. They dove by submersible into volcanic lava tubes, explored shipwrecks on Guadalcanal Reef, and snorkeled with reef sharks off Mary Island. The submersible also supported seabed mapping and conservation efforts, according to Kevin O’Conor of Cookson Adventures. Days were filled with manta ray sightings, village visits, and awe-inspiring marine life.
“It’s powerful,” says McCallum. “When clients witness an iceberg roll over, or a whale breach, or a bear with a fresh kill, and they turn to you and say,
‘We are so blessed’—you know it’s a moment they’ll carry for life”
