The Bremen, a traditional three-master, such as can hardly be found yet today, is on its way to Bremerhaven. Waiting there for Captain Hanns Temme and his crew are 19 volunteers from throughout Germany, who will trace the historic footsteps of the emigrants of 1855. The passengers first begin to get used to life in the 19th century in the so-called 'time lock'. There, they have to give up everything that doesn't fit into the era: watches, mobile phones, jewellery and various personal items. They will be dressed in the fashions of back then and furnished with historically accurate items. Then they say a final farewell to their friends and families, board the ship, are shown to their cabins in the steerage – where women and men travelling alone are strictly separated – and begin to make themselves at home in the historic conditions of life in the year of 1855.