Why cruise when you can sail into port in style?

Feeling the surge of a ship under the power of the wind and looking up at sails billowed by the sea breeze is an exhilarating pleasure.

Normally you would need to be on a small yacht for this experience, with all the associated drawbacks, such as cramped accommodation, basic DIY meals and the need to have some idea of how to sail.

However, there are a select number of sailing vessels that are also cruise ships, offering fine comfort and top-notch dining. There’s no need to do any hoisting or splicing unless you really want to – you can watch the crew do all that while you sit back with a cocktail.

Such a romantic way of cruising lends itself to a suitable enticing backdrop – preferably with lots of islands to hop between. Croatia, Italy, and Greece are ideal, though for an exotic twist turn your thoughts to the Caribbean or the Far East.

Star Clippers

Climbing the rigging to a crow’s nest, flopping in the hammock nets hanging from the bowsprit, learning how to tie knots or navigate by the stars… that’s the joy of a Star Clippers cruise.

The three tall ships in this fleet – Star Flyer, Star Clipper and Royal Clipper – are modelled on the clippers of the mid-19th century. When the breeze is up and the captain gives the order, the crew unfurl the sails to a stirring theme tune, which you can enjoy while cooling off in the top-deck pools.

The two Stars, with four masts apiece, accommodate 170 guests, while Royal has an extra mast and takes 227 passengers. The latter has no fewer than 42 sails covering 56,000 sq ft, along with a marina platform from which you can windsurf, kayak or wallow on a floating bed.

The launch of a new flagship, Flying Clipper, has been much delayed and is now expected to arrive in 2020. Modelled on the 1912-built France II, the vessel will take 300 passengers and offer scuba diving.

Below decks on all the ships, there’s an authentic maritime feel to the cabins, restaurant and lounges, which have plenty of brass and polished wood. Between them the ships cover the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asia and Central America.

Sail away: Star Clippers has a seven-night Southern Cyclades cruise on Star Flyer, round-trip from Athens, departing June 20, 2020, from £1,525 per person excluding flights.

Windstar 

Elegant and enticing, Wind Surf is billed as the world’s largest sailing yacht (though Royal Clipper is the biggest fully-rigged ship). It’s one of three sailing ships in the Windstar fleet which carry huge, computer-operated triangular sails. Wind Surf makes an impressive sight with seven sails on five masts, while its smaller sisters Wind Spirit and Wind Star have five sails on four masts. 

Life on board is all about indulging in an intimate environment – the ships take 148 or 310 guests – in opulent comfort, with both a formal restaurant and casual bistro, pool, lounges, bars and casino. The deluxe cabins have Bose docks for iPods, DVD players and queen-size beds.

There are itineraries in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the South Pacific and the optional shore excursions include activities such as biking and kayaking as well as wine tastings and historical tours.

Sail away: Mundy Cruising (mundycruising.co.uk) has a seven-night Yachtman’s Harbours of the Riviera cruise from Barcelona to Rome on Wind Surf, departing April 26, 2020, from £1,699 per person including flights.

Sea Cloud 

Short of commanding your own yacht, the exquisite windjammers Sea Cloud and her bigger sister Sea Cloud II offer the most authentic sailing experience.

All the sails set by hand – a task that involves a brave crew climbing high up the masts and inching out across the booms. Finding a suitable vantage point on the teak decks to watch this piece of theatre, with a cool drink in hand, is a joy. The original ship was commissioned by a tycoon in the late Twenties to be the finest sailing vessel in the world. 

Sea Cloud II was built in 1991 to an equally high specification. Her 94 guests enjoy the sight of 23 sails on three masts and can pop along to the bridge to watch the officers at work.

Both ships are luxurious, with wood panelling, brass and gold fixtures and sumptuous furnishings. The exceptional dining has been accepted by the international Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

A new ship, Sea Cloud Spirit, is under construction and due for launch in 2020. Similar to Sea Cloud II, it will have additional balcony cabins, larger sun deck, gym, spa and an outdoor dining option.

Sail away: Noble Caledonia (noble-caledonia.co.uk) charters Sea Cloud II and has a 12-night Panama Canal, Corals and Cultures cruise from Panama, departing January 2, 2020, from £7,695pp, including flights. 

Variety Cruises

Gliding around exotic locations on a smart motorsailer offers a taste of a multi-millionaire’s lifestyle – without the bill. Greek company Variety Cruises owns several small ships, three of which have sails.

The triple-masted Panorama and Galileo and the similar but newer Panorama II, which has two tall masts, concentrate on visiting off-the-beaten-track places in Cuba, Central America, the Far East and Iceland. Each ship takes a maximum of 49 guests.

A well-furnished library-lounge, indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant with picture windows are features of Panorama, while Panorama II has alfresco dining and a swimming platform. Air-conditioned cabins are attractive and comfy rather than plush, though they do have marble bathrooms. The pricier ones come with a large window instead of a porthole.

Sail away: Variety (varietycruises.com) has a seven-night Bali and the Islands of East Indonesia cruise on Panorama II, from €1,400pp (£1,280), with departures until September 2020, excluding flights.

Ponant

For an enchanting dose of French flair, take a look Ponant, which operates the sleek-looking superyacht Le Ponant – a 300ft beauty with three masts and five triangular sails totalling 16,000 sq ft. These assist rather than replace the engine but the experience is still inspiring.

The 64 guests benefit from plush, contemporary cabins, fine French cuisine in two restaurants – one open to the fresh air – two lounges, plenty of open deck space and a water sports platform.

During winter 2019/2020, it will be sailing in the Red Sea. Although many on board are French, British guests are increasing in numbers and made welcome.

Sail away: Iglu Cruise (iglucruise.com) has a seven-night Treasures of the Red Sea cruise departing March 24, 2020, from £3,729pp, including flights. 

Gulet cruises

Gently bobbing around green isles on a little wooden ship, stopping regularly for a swim or snorkel, is what gulet cruising is all about.

Gulets are traditional transport and fishing boats, a number of which have been converted for passengers for close-up coastal cruising in Turkey, though similar boats are also available in Croatia and Greece.

Typically taking 16 guests, they offer a leisurely mix of sailing and on-shore rambling and sightseeing.

Gulets have two masts, usually carrying a sail on each. Though the weight of the ships mean the sails are only really effective in strong winds, they certainly add to the charm.

Accommodation is usually simple but comfy (sleeping on deck is a fun option) and meals are prepared by the crew using local produce. 

Sail away: Explore (explore.co.uk) has a seven-night Family Cruising the Turquoise Coast in Turkey, with departures throughout the 2020 school summer holidays, from £750pp (£675 per child), flights extra.

Or will you be tempted by these?

Club Med 2 (clubmed.co.uk) is a five-masted schooner with seven sails, operated by the well-known activities company. It takes up to 386 passengers around the Mediterranean in summer and Caribbean in winter.

Island Windjammers (islandwindjammers.comhas two classic sailing ships that operate from several West Indies islands. Vela takes 26 guests and Diamant 12; both offer full board and a bar service.

On a larger scale, Sail Windjammer’s (sailwindjammer.com) three-masted Mandalay, built in 1923, takes 58 guests to less-known spots in the Caribbean.

To explore the islands of Indonesia in detail, Sea Trek Sailing Adventures (seatrekbali.com) operates two gaff-rigged wooden ketches, Katharina (12 guests) and Ombak Putih (24 guests), with itineraries from four to 11 nights.

Prefer the Seychelles? Try Sea Star (small-cruise-ships.com) and Sea Bird, both accommodating up to 22 guests, with three masts and five sails.

Much cooler but no less exotic, a Dutch company owns a historic two-masted schooner – the 20-passenger Noorderlicht (noorderlicht.nu) – built in 1910 that sails around Spitsbergen in summer and North Norway in winter.

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