My first multiday trip, a charter bareboat. TahitiIt sounded idyllic. My then-boyfriend, (now husband), loved every gust and every blue stretch of ocean. I quickly became bored with the cramped quarters aboard the 42-foot sailboat.
In a surprising twist of fate, sailing cruises are now one of my favourite holidays. The larger ships have more deck space, better cabins and greater stability at sea. A crew hoists sails and roasts filets mignons while popping the cork of bubbly. With powerful Wi-Fi I have plenty of reading material.
Sails are becoming more common on small boats, which is great for casual sailors like myself. They also help with fuel efficiency. They all have onboard motors that help captains reach their ports on time. Some are yachts that have computer-trimmed sails. Others are tall ships with full rigging, which would make Jack Sparrow very proud. Here are six sailing ship companies worth considering for your next sea vacation.
Cruises for yachters
Courtesy Orient Express
Alixe Lay
Orient Express Sailing Yachts
Newly launched yachts are topped with a trio masts, each fitted with 16145 square feet rigid sails. Orient Express CorinthianIts engines powered by LNG will be able to reach higher speeds. The Corinthian is the largest sailing yacht in the world, but it only has 54 suites, ranging from 463 square feet to over 2,000. Interiors have a decidedly French feel, sleek but welcoming. Each has a private outdoor space.
Other amenities command attention too, including five restaurants led by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, a Guerlain spaThe ship has a cabaret with 115 seats, a recording studio of the highest quality, two swimming pools, an entire 50-foot-long swim lane and a docking platform. The evening entertainment is much more varied than most sailing ships. Live music can be heard in many different venues.
Attention: Only designated Family Voyages are open to children six months old and older. Sailors 16 years and up are welcome on all voyages. Guests with mobility issues need not worry—the Corinthian has elevators.
The ship will sail in the Mediterranean during the summer and then move to the Caribbean For winter. A second vessel will be added in 2027.
Windstar Cruises Courtesy
