The romance of travelling by wind power continues to captivate sophisticated travellers looking for experiences that go beyond typical luxury cruises. Over the past six months there has been a flurry of announcements from companies that operate sailing ships or offer private yacht charters, and several high‑profile vessels are set to debut over the coming years. From classic tall ships and intimate sailing yachts to all‑inclusive charter catamarans, these experiences promise a balance of adventure and comfort. Below is a recap of what’s new and what’s on the horizon.
Star Clippers: Long‑haul sailings and new ports of call
Tall‑ship specialist Star Clippers will make Grenada its home port for the winter 2025/26 season, allowing the 166‑guest Star Clipper to sail from St. George’s to new Caribbean destinations. The 10‑ and 11‑night itineraries will call at lesser‑visited ports such as Charlotteville and Castara Bay on Tobago, Paradise Beach on Carriacou, Chateaubelair Bay on Canouan, Saint‑Pierre on Martinique and Saline Bay on Mayreau. The longer voyages are designed to meet demand for more time under sail. Mikael Krafft, CEO and president of Star Clippers, described the Caribbean as an ideal region because the trade winds provide reliable power for their clipper ships.
For winter 2026/27, Star Clippers has already opened bookings and announced more than 50 departures across the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia, alongside transatlantic crossings and holiday voyages. The season includes 16‑day westbound Atlantic crossings, such as Royal Clipper’s Lisbon‑to‑Bridgetown voyage on 16 October 2026, Star Flyer’s Las Palmas‑to‑St. Maarten sailing on 13 November and Star Clipper’s Las Palmas‑to‑Bridgetown crossing on 20 November. The five‑masted Royal Clipper will operate two 14‑night Panama Canal cruises reminiscent of early canal crossings, with departures from Barbados on 31 October and from Balboa on 14 November that include stops at Cartagena de Indias and Santa Marta. After spending early season on the coasts of Costa Rica and Panama, Star Clipper will head to the Grenadines and islands of Antigua, Martinique, St. Lucia, Tobago and Barbados, while the 166‑guest Star Flyer will sail week‑long “Leeward Islands” and “Treasure Islands” itineraries from St. Maarten. Holiday sailings include themed Christmas and New Year programmes, such as Star Flyer’s “Leeward Christmas” in St. Barth’s and “Treasure New Year” with New Year’s Eve split between two ports in St. Kitts.
Sea Cloud Cruises: Celebrations and significant refurbishment
Sea Cloud Cruises has been celebrating the 95th anniversary of its original 1931‑built windjammer, Sea Cloud. The company launched its “Catch the Early WAVE” promotion at the start of 2025, offering savings of up to 65 percent on 30 Caribbean and European voyages for 2025 and 2026, including a new overnight “Taster Cruise” aboard Sea Cloud II and a Venice round‑trip on Sea Cloud Spirit. The fares include an open bar, meals with exclusive wine and beer selections, water sports, shore excursions, port charges and gratuities, making these trips strong value for travellers seeking authentic tall‑ship sailing.
The highlight of the year will be Sea Cloud’s final European season before she goes into an extended dry‑dock. After the 2025 summer, the 64‑guest ship will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment to modernise safety systems while preserving her Old‑World glamour. Special 95th‑anniversary events across the fleet are planned throughout the 2025 season. During the refit, Sea Cloud Spirit and Sea Cloud II will continue to sail the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Atlantic, and the original Sea Cloud is expected to return with upgraded suites and polished teak decks for the 2026 season.
Windstar Cruises: Refurbished yachts and shorter escapes
Windstar Cruises is mid‑way through a multi‑year, multi‑million‑dollar initiative to redesign its three Wind‑class sailing yachts—Wind Star, Wind Surf and Wind Spirit. The first phase of Wind Surf’s refurbishment concluded in December 2024 with a reimagined lobby, reception area, Yacht Club Café, Compass Rose lounge and Amphora restaurant. The ship gained new Broadmoor and Sea Island Suites inspired by the company’s land‑based resorts and upgraded stateroom televisions. Wind Star completed phase one in late 2023; its second phase is scheduled for April 2026, while Wind Spirit’s first phase took place in spring 2025 with further work planned for March 2027. The design refresh introduces a consistent palette of deep blues, creams and natural wood tones across the public spaces, while structural upgrades include new technology and repairs.
Beyond refurbishments, Windstar is diversifying its itinerary lengths. In August 2025 the line announced “Quick Getaways,” a series of 3‑ to 5‑night European sailings debuting in spring 2026. The nine departure dates feature immersive mini‑routes such as “A Taste of Southern France” (kayaking in Sète and exploring Carcassonne), “La Dolce Vita in Italy & France” (Corsican markets and Tuscan villages) and “Belgium: A Sweet Getaway,” designed for travellers looking to add a sailing experience onto a longer vacation. An early‑booking offer running through 31 August 2025 includes special pricing, onboard credit and an all‑inclusive beverage package, signalling Windstar’s intent to attract new guests who might be intimidated by longer voyages.
Ponant’s Le Ponant: Intimate yachting on the Riviera
French line Ponant continues to position its three‑masted yacht Le Ponant as an exclusive charter‑like experience for only 32 guests. After a multi‑year renovation that reduced capacity and upgraded suites, the ship joined the Relais & Châteaux collection, the first sailing yacht to hold that label. For 2026 the company unveiled a new eight‑day French Riviera itinerary between Nice and Portofino, with calls at Portofino, Menton, Cannes, Antibes, Saint‑Tropez and overnight moorings in Antibes and Cannes. With a shallow draft and retractable marina, Le Ponant offers paddle‑boarding, kayaking and zodiac excursions directly from the stern. Captain Jean‑David Lemaire has described the yacht as “a state of mind and connection with the sea,” emphasising unfussy elegance over formality. Ponant anticipates strong demand for this itinerary, available on May 7 and 23, 2026.
Orient Express Sailing Yachts: Corinthian and Olympian
Accor’s Orient Express brand, already associated with hotels and rail journeys, is entering the sailing market with two 220‑metre ships now named Orient Express Corinthian (launching in 2026) and Orient Express Olympian (2027). These vessels will be the world’s largest sailing yachts, boasting 4,500 square metres of sail across three SolidSail masts capable of inclining to maximise wind capture. Designed by architect Maxime d’Angeac, the ships will have 54 suites ranging from 45 to 230 square metres, including duplexes for families and two sumptuous Owner’s Suites. Public areas will feature five restaurants and eight bars—among them a 1930s‑style speakeasy—an Art Deco cabaret, cinema, recording studio, spa and two pools. The propulsion system will combine wind power with a hybrid engine using liquefied natural gas and later hydrogen; dynamic positioning will allow the ships to stay on station without anchors, and AI‑based detection aims to reduce marine mammal collisions.
Bookings are open for Corinthian’s inaugural May‑October 2026 season, which will offer 2‑ to 8‑night voyages around the Mediterranean and Adriatic with stops in Monte‑Carlo, Portofino, Saint‑Tropez and beyond. The brand is curating bespoke shore experiences such as private after‑hours access to Pompeii and dinners at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. These ships promise a new category of sail‑powered experience blending haute cuisine, glamour and sustainability.
Moorings Private Crewed Charters: All‑inclusive freedom
For travellers who prefer a fully private experience on a smaller scale, The Moorings offers crewed yacht charters in over 20 destinations. These charters provide an inclusive experience with a dedicated captain and chef, all meals, snacks and beverages, a fully stocked bar, watersports equipment, Wi‑Fi, housekeeping services, fuel and most mooring fees. Guests stay in air‑conditioned en‑suite staterooms on modern sailing or power catamarans and can tailor the itinerary to visit secluded coves, snorkel reefs or enjoy beachside barbecues. The company suggests a gratuity of 15‑20 percent for satisfied guests but otherwise there are few additional costs beyond snorkelling masks and optional marina fees.
The Moorings has also expanded its power‑catamaran offerings, announcing new crewed and self‑drive charters for 2025 in St. Martin, St. Lucia, Thailand, the Seychelles and Mexico. These speedy catamarans allow guests to cover more territory in a shorter time, opening up island‑hopping routes between Anguilla and St. Barth’s in the Leeward Islands or exploring the remote islets of the Seychelles. With a captain and chef on board, travellers can focus on relaxation while experiencing destinations at their own pace—an appealing alternative for cruise lovers who crave privacy or want to bring along family and friends.
Expert insight
The sailing cruise sector is evolving rapidly as travellers seek experiences that are immersive, authentic and environmentally aware. The current wave of refurbishments underscores the importance of preserving character while introducing modern comforts; Sea Cloud’s forthcoming refit and Windstar’s multi‑year redesigns will keep classic sailing ships competitive in a marketplace crowded with new builds. Meanwhile, Star Clippers’ longer itineraries and new ports, and Windstar’s shorter Quick Getaways, show there is demand at both ends of the spectrum. Ponant’s intimate Le Ponant demonstrates that small is beautiful, focusing on connection to the sea and local culture, while the Orient Express sailing yachts aim to marry high style with sustainable technology at an unprecedented scale. Finally, Moorings’ private crewed yachts remind us that the ultimate sailing experience may be one curated entirely around the guest’s preferences. For travellers willing to embrace wind power and the rhythms of the sea, these developments promise voyages that feel more like adventures than cruises.
