"Everyone got really sick," Stevie said.
"They said it was one of the worst storms they had on the Spirit of New Zealand."
"And we were both on top bunks," Ashleigh said.
"There was no sleep."
Time of board was spent learning how to sail the ship, navigation, practicing waiata, eating meals, conversing with shipmates, cleaning, team activities, trying to conquer sea sickness and more.
Shower facilities brought a bit of trepidation.
"They made us jump off the ship into the sea," Stevie said.
"The water was freezing."
At one point they were alongside the HMS Endeavour when they heard a countdown and a fake explosion came from one of the historic ship's cannons.
"All I saw was this big explosion — I thought I was going to die.
"It was so scary," Stevie said.
The final day was special and everyone was up in the early morning hours to prepare for the historic commemorations in Poverty Bay.
Stevie had a special moment as she had been on night watch and helped steer the ship, via star navigation, into the area.
"That was the highlight of my trip."
The commemorations were special, and emotional, and also "acknowledged the Polynesian navigators who came over to Aotearoa hundreds of years before Cook, and the recognition that cultures came together and how society is moving forward," Stevie said.
The last night onboard, before everyone went their separate ways, they sang waiata back and forth among their groups, before an emotional and spinetingling haka.
"It was definitely a good way to end," Ashleigh said.
