There are quicker ways to cruise, but there’s nothing more romantic and intimaate than doing it the timeless way, under thousands of square feet of billowing sails.
And two cruise lines that specialize in sailing authentic modern versions of traditional tall ships have announced exciting plans for 2027. Sea Cloud Cruises is planning a unique summer series of cruises along the coasts of Britain, France and Spain. Meanwhile Star Clippers has unveiled a series of trans-Atlantic crossings under full sail.
Sea Cloud’s unique coastal explorations
Sea Cloud Cruises, whose ships feature dozens of sails raised and set by hand is charting fascinating new itineraries for 2027, sailing the Atlantic coastlines of Britain, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal. Four consecutive July voyages aboard the luxury sailing yacht Sea Cloud Spirit invite travelers to experience lesser-known ports, islands, historic landscapes and culinary traditions.
The collection begins in Dublin and follows the British and French coasts before reaching Spain, with a fourth voyage continuing from Bilbao to Lisbon. Along the way, Sea Cloud Spirit calls at Cobh and Tresco, Guernsey, Dartmouth, Honfleur, Lorient and Belle-Île-en-Mer, as well as San Sebastián and other Atlantic destinations.
The timing also offers an appealing alternative to the height of summer farther south. Atlantic breezes and coastal destinations can provide a more temperate European summer experience, particularly in Britain, Ireland and along France’s Atlantic coast, while the itineraries continue south toward the warmer Basque and Iberian regions.
It’s part of the Hamburg-based line’s program to broaden its base in Britain and North America.“We’re going to places that reward curiosity and that’s the point,” said Kevin Smith, the receently appointed president, the Americas, of Sea Cloud Cruises. “The smaller ports along the Atlantic coast. You step off the yacht and suddenly you’re wandering through a subtropical garden on Tresco or taking in the wild, romantic coastline of Belle-Île-en-Mer. There’s time to slow down, soak it all in, and see where the day takes you.”
Sea Cloud Cruises‘ management team has just been bolsteed by the addition of Maximilian Block to the management team and longtime cruise industry executive Ralph de Klijn to serve as Owner’s Representative. “We aim to expand our business in our existing core markets and strengthen our presence in additional international markets. To this end, we will also make targeted investments in new technologies,” de Klijn notes.
Star Clippers Atlantic crossings under sail
In 2027, Star Clippers is offering multiple opportunities for ocean crossings under sail aboard one of their fully rigged tall ships. Guests can watch the crew handle the sails, learn about navigation and seamanship, climb the rigging, relax on the bowsprit netting or beside the pool or find a quiet corner of the teak deck with nothing on the horizon but sea and sky.
With a maximum of just 166 guests aboard Star Clipper and Star Flyer, the atmosphere is intimate and informal, more reminiscent of a private yacht than a conventional cruise ship.
“An ocean crossing is perhaps the purest expression of what makes traveling aboard a tall ship so special,” said Terri Haas, vice-president of sales & marketing for Star Clippers. “There is a sense of adventure that comes from watching the sails fill with wind and knowing you are crossing the Atlantic much as sailors have for centuries, but with the comfort, cuisine and relaxed atmosphere of a modern yacht. It gives guests something that has become increasingly rare in travel—the luxury of uninterrupted time.”
The four 2027 Atlantic crossings range from 15 to 24 nights, with one spring eastbound departure and three fall westbound voyages.
They include a spring eastbound cruise of Star Clipper from St. John’s, Antigua to Malaga, Spain departing April 3, 2027 and priced from $3,660 per guest. A westbound crossing from Malaga to Antigua starting Oct. 27 is 24 nights and priced from $4,960.
Guests preferring a shorter sailing can join Star Clipper in Las Palmas on Nov. 5, 2027, for a 15-night crossing, priced from $3,100. And sister ship Star Flyer sails Las Palmas, Gran Canaria to St. Maarten departing on Nov. 12, 2027 and priced from $3,270
And for a limited time, Star Clippers is adding extra value to four of the voyages. Residents of the US, Canada and Latin America making new bookings in Categories 2–6 by Sept. 30, 2026, receive an $800 air credit per cabin plus two massages per person.
Story by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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