When you look at a tall ship, you might immediately picture pirates on the high seas. And you wouldn’t be wrong! But, these majestic vessels, though reminiscent of a bygone era, now offer an elegant and luxurious cruising experience that’s truly unmatched. With their large, billowing sails harnessing the power of the wind, these ships provide one of the lowest-carbon ways to explore the world.
Metro’s Cruise Editor, Richard Mellor , has curated a list of sustainable sailings that are redefining luxury slow-travel. Their unique blend of history, modern-luxury and sustainability will leave you wondering why we don’t travel this way more often. A beginner’s guide to tall ships Encompassing windjammers, clippers, schooners and ketches, tall ships are traditionally rigged sailing vessels, more closely resembling those used by Messrs Columbus, Cook and co than modern-day cruising colossi.
Yet cruise they still do, offering a more intimate experience and the ability to dock at smaller points. Despite the retro feel, some tall ships are luxurious; all are eco-friendly, with engines switched off whenever possible. On some itineraries, guests are expected to assist the crew, but usually this is optional.
Classic clippers The upmarket Star Clippers’ three-strong fleet is headlined by Royal Clipper, a 42-sail, 440ft-long beauty who ranks as the world’s largest square rigger in service. She has three swimming pools and the same old-fashioned, teak-accented opulence as her two newer, smaller siblings, Star Clipper and Star Flyer. Carrying 166 guests, this pair supply tropical-themed bars and Edwardian-style libraries while offering paddleboarding and kayaking.
After yoga and culinary-themed sailings in Europe in autumn, Star Flyer will spend a week exploring the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands to commence winter. Seven nights from £1,570pp, full board, departing Nov 30, Star Clippers Sicily by small ship A Cornwall-based tour operator specialising in skippered holidays, Venturesail represents 15 tall ships as well as posh yachts and expedition vessels. Among those 15 is Florette, a 103-year-old wooden windjammer, which survived the World War II while operating as a cargo ship.
Restored to her original leisure purposes, she has 11 cabins — with the option of sleeping on deck in hammocks. This autumn, join her on a circuit of Italy’s Aeolian Islands, an archipelago north of Sicily. Seven nights from £1,095pp for singles, half-board, departing Sep 7, Venture Sail Holidays Life of an heiress Among Sea Cloud’s trio of windjammers, its OG is an eponymous, 64-passenger beauty who comes with some history.
Still radiating bygone splendour courtesy of marble fireplaces and French antiques, Sea Cloud was launched in 1931 for the US’s wealthiest woman, Marjorie Merriweather Post. More modern – though just as elegant – is Sea Cloud Spirit. On all three ships, complimentary snacks are served at night and water sports are gratis by day.
Summers are spent in the Mediterranean before winters in the Caribbean. Seven nights from £3,895pp, full board, departing Feb 2, Sea Cloud Cruises Time to Chile out Another World’s roster of trips ranges from trekking expeditions to, yes, tall ship itineraries, many of them in far-flung corners. The operator can get you aboard Atlantic crossings or an 83-day epic from Cape Town to the UK.
Or inspect the coastline of Chilean Patagonia aboard a herring drifter. Heading north from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt, you’ll anchor beneath cliffs to undertake hikes before admiring Chile’s own lake district. Help the crew if desired.
Twelve nights from £2,220pp for singles, full board, departing Mar 28, Another World Adventures Simply the Bessie If you’d rather a staycation option, consider this 120-years-young ketch. Once a cargo trader, Bessie Ellen today hosts short breaks, week-long cruises and ten-day voyages in Cornwall and Scotland as well as Scandinavia. More Trending The UK town that 'oozes class' and has a beach that's like 'heaven on Earth' This is the 'most beautiful' café in the world — but there's one issue Worst city to visit in the UK is branded a 'rundown dump' The 'greatest places' in the world have been revealed and three are in the UK Her old cargo-hold is now host to a capacious saloon and dining area.
The 20 guests sleep in bunks, share a shower room and are expected to help out on deck. Perfect for first-timers is a flexible Hebridean itinerary heading west from Oban. Staffa’s organ-like columns, sacred Iona and teeny-tiny Eigg all might figure dependent on weather conditions, and there should be ample time for following walking trails on uninhabited islands.
Daily horoscope today: August 7, 2024 astrological predictions for your star sign Three nights from £695pp, full board, departing Apr 29, Bessie Ellen . MORE : 3 terrifying reasons why planes will never fly over this 2,500,000 square kilometre danger zone MORE : Lesser-known hotel chain named ‘best in the UK’ and rooms start from just £42 per night MORE : This one thing made my Rhodes trip the ultimate wellness retreat — and it wasn’t the spa Get need-to-know travel news, inspiration and advice from Metro every week. Privacy Policy.
