sail yacht cruises

These 3 lesser-known cruise lines offer amazing voyages on sail-powered ships

There is nothing quite as magical — or romantic — as a cruise on a sailing ship.

To stand on the deck of a vessel topped with dozens of billowing sails, propelled through the waves by the power of the wind alone, is to go back in time to an earlier age of travel, when crossing the world's oceans was as adventurous as it was challenging.

It's an experience that's all about the feeling of the wind in your hair, the lean of the vessel (known as the heel) as it's pushed by the wind and the sway from the waves (which is actually smoother than what you get on a motor ship).

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In contrast to what you'll find on so many motor-powered ships, cruising on a masted ship is about the simple thrill of traveling across the sea and not about all the many attractions you'll find on board.

Only a handful of small cruise brands — so small that you might never have heard of them — offer trips on sailing ships. Here, we look at the three biggest players in this niche subset of the cruise industry.

Sea Cloud Cruises

If it's an authentic, old-style sailing experience you want, then Sea Cloud Cruises is the line for you. The Germany-based company operates three large sailing ships where the sails are unfurled by hand, just as they were on sailing ships centuries ago.

On the biggest of these three vessels, the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit , 18 deckhands scurry high into the rigging on sea days to manually untie and prepare the sails, an amazing sight. Unveiled in 2021 , it's a full-rigged, three-masted sailing ship of the sort that hasn't been common on the world's oceans for more than a century.

Related: Why Sea Cloud Spirit is a sailing vessel you'll want to try

Sea Cloud Cruises' two other vessels — Sea Cloud 2 and Sea Cloud — are smaller but offer a similar show as the sails are set by hand the old-fashioned way. The former is a 23-year-old, three-masted barque propelled by 23 sails (five fewer than Sea Cloud Spirit); the latter is a 93-year-old, four-masted barque with 30 sails and a storied past.

Now configured to carry 64 paying passengers, Sea Cloud was originally the private yacht of Postum Cereals heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband, the famed financier E. F. Hutton. At the time, the vessel was the largest private yacht in the world. It later served the U.S. Navy as a weather ship during World War II, after which it became the presidential yacht for the Dominican Republic. It only began sailing as a cruise vessel in the 1980s.

If you have money to spare, you can still book Post's opulent private quarters on Sea Cloud, now its owner's suite. It'll set you back around $5,000 per day per couple. Her husband's slightly smaller quarters are also available to book at a similar rate.

Post, the wealthiest woman in the U.S. during her lifetime, notably also built Mar-a-Lago, the massive estate in Florida that is now the official residence of Donald Trump.

Sea Cloud Cruises is the most all-inclusive and upscale of the three brands listed in this story, with pricing to match. Expect to pay nearly $1,000 per person per day or more for many sailings.

Sea Cloud Cruises' three vessels offer a diverse array of sailings in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and Morocco, the Caribbean or along the west coast of Central America.

Related: Cruising Costa Rica, Panama with Sea Cloud Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Founded in the 1980s, Windstar Cruises got its start as a sailing ship line. While it now operates traditional motor-powered ships, too, voyages on sailing ships are still a big part of its business.

Three of the Seattle-based brand's six vessels — Wind Spirit, Wind Star and Wind Surf — are sailing vessels, and they all offer a similar yacht-like, small-ship experience.

Two of the three vessels (Wind Spirit and Wind Star) are particularly intimate, measuring 5,407 tons and carrying just 148 passengers with every berth full.

Related: The 2 types of Windstar ships, explained

The line's third sailing vessel, Wind Surf, is nearly three times the size at 14,745 tons. It's one of the biggest sailing ships in the world (only a sister vessel that sails for Club Med is bigger). Wind Surf carries 342 people, an enormous number for a sailing ship.

Unlike on the vessels operated by Sea Cloud, the sails on Windstar's sailing ships aren't unfurled by hand in the old-fashioned way but by the push of a button from the bridge. It's a fully automated system that is much more modern, if less dramatic.

Still, the experience of slicing through the waves by the power of the wind alone on Windstar ships is as glorious and romantic as it is on the Sea Cloud ships.

Windstar Cruises is less all-inclusive and pricey than Sea Cloud but still offers a relatively upscale experience. Its dining program is done in partnership with the food-focused James Beard Foundation, which also brings James Beard Award-winning chefs to the ships regularly for food-themed itineraries.

For an extra $89 per person per day, passengers can also make the experience more all-inclusive with included Wi-Fi, unlimited beer, wine and cocktails, and gratuities (three things that aren't included in regular fares).

The line's three vessels typically spend nearly all of their time sailing in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or along the west coast of Central America.

Related: Read more about Windstar's itineraries

Star Clippers

Like Sea Cloud and Windstar, Star Clippers operates three sailing vessels that are among the biggest and most elegant sailing vessels in the world.

The belle of the ball at the line is Royal Clipper, a stunning five-masted ship that is billed as the largest square-rigged ship in the world. Its enormous array of 42 sails has a sail area of 56,000 square feet — significantly more than the sails atop any of the Sea Cloud or Windstar vessels. (Only Sea Cloud Spirit comes relatively close with a sail area of 44,100 square feet spread across 28 sails.)

Built to resemble Preussen, a legendary tall ship of the 19th century, the 24-year-old Royal Clipper shares the spotlight at Star Clippers with two smaller sister vessels, Star Flyer and Star Clipper.

Carrying 166 passengers apiece, the smaller vessels were designed to resemble the speedy clipper ships of the 19th century, which were known for their narrow profile and large sail area. Each vessel has a sail area of 36,000 square feet spread across 16 sails, a large amount for the size.

When it comes to the setting of sails, Star Clippers vessels offer a level of old-style authenticity that is in between the ships of Sea Cloud and Windstar. Like on Sea Cloud vessels, the sails are pulled into position by a team of deckhands using hand power and winches to tighten the "sheets," or ropes.

Unlike on Sea Cloud vessels, the deck hands don't climb high into the rigging to untie and prepare the sails for winching. That part is done automatically at the push of a button from the bridge, as it is on Windstar vessels.

In one key difference, though, Star Clippers lets passengers harness up and climb into the crow's nest of its vessels — a thrilling experience. Just be prepared for your knees to go a bit wobbly as you get to the top; it's way up there.

Star Clippers sailings are the most affordable option among the three sailing brands, in part because the onboard experience is less all-inclusive and upscale.

The three Star Clippers vessels mostly operate sailings in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and along the west coast of Central America.

Bottom line

It's still possible to get a taste of what traveling the world's oceans was like in the days before motor power. Three small cruise companies — Sea Cloud Cruises, Windstar Cruises and Star Clippers — offer voyages on large sailing ships that are as majestic as anything that has sailed the seas in centuries past.

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Sailing Yachts For Charter

Whether you are a seasoned yachtsman or a first-time charterer, a luxury sailing yacht can offer an unforgettable vacation with family and friends. the variety of luxury amenities and interiors available is combined the ultimate feeling of freedom while sailing the open waters to create a charter experience like no other..

There is a wide selection of types of crewed sailing yachts available on the global charter fleet ranging from classic to contemporary to performance yachts that each offers a unique platform for sailing vacations. Whether you want to experience the racing thrills of a regatta or a slower pace of life sailing around breath taking Caribbean islands, there is an extensive collection of styles, sizes and facilities for sailing yachts for you to choose from.

Although not as well known for the high-spec interiors and selection of facilities associated with luxury motor yachts, many sailing yachts now feature comforts such as state-of-the-art entertainment equipment, Jacuzzi’s, gymnasiums and toys to rival. This of course is encased by majestic exterior design, an assortment of beautiful interiors and spacious outdoor areas for absolute comfort for all when traversing the world’s waters.

View all Luxury Sailing Yachts For Charter

Browse through our comprehensive list of crewed sailing yachts available for charter with a huge selection of style and size options to suit your requirements. Your charter broker can help you to choose the right sailing yacht while offering expert advice on bookings, and the best times to visit your chosen destination.

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562 yachts found

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65m Camper & Nicholsons

1927/1985 

from $205,000 p/week ♦︎

Stad Amsterdam

Golden Horizon 274 140

162m   Brodogradevna Industrija Split

Black Pearl 14 5

105m   Oceanco

Athena 10 5

90m   Royal Huisman

from $324,000 p/w eek

Maltese Falcon 12 6

88m   Perini Navi

from $490,000 p/w eek

AQuiJo 12 7

86m   Oceanco

from $549,000 p/w eek

Sea Eagle 11 6

81m   Royal Huisman

from $597,000 p/w eek

Stad Amsterdam 28 14

76m   Damen Oranjewerf

from $102,500 p/w eek

Vertigo 12 5

67m   Alloy Yachts

from $353,000 p/w eek

Mary Anne II 16 12

66m   Radunia Shipyard

Creole 11 6

65m   Camper & Nicholsons

from $205,000 p/w eek

Red Sky 12 5

65m   Dream Ship Victory

from $151,000 p/w eek

Atlantic 12 6

64m   Van der Graaf

from $119,000 p/w eek

Running On Waves 42 18

64m   Segel Masten Yachten

from $114,000 p/w eek

Spirit of the C's 10 5

64m   Perini Navi

from $225,000 p/w eek

63m   Holland Jachtbouw

from $220,000 p/w eek

59m   Vitters

Kokomo 10 5

58m   Alloy Yachts

from $235,000 p/w eek

Perseus^3 12 5

59m   Perini Navi

from $350,000 p/w eek

Seahawk 12 5

from $272,000 p/w eek *

Twizzle 9 4

57m   Royal Huisman

from $250,000 p/w eek

The Langley 12 6

57m   Aegean Yacht

56m   Perini Navi

from $230,000 p/w eek

Fidelis 10 5

from $244,000 p/w eek

Rosehearty 12 6

from $272,000 p/w eek

Bahriyeli C 24 12

55m   Custom

from $21,000 p/w eek

55m   Marin LuxurYachts

from $109,000 p/w eek

55m   Vitters

from $183,000 p/w eek

55m   Ark Yacht

from $91,000 p/w eek

Shenandoah of Sark 11 4

54m   Townsend & Downey

from $125,000 p/w eek

Tiara II 10 5

54m   Alloy Yachts

from $180,000 p/w eek

Parsifal III 12 5

54m   Perini Navi

from $255,000 p/w eek

La Luna 10 5

53m   Perini Navi

from $190,000 p/w eek

Jasali II 10 5

from $201,000 p/w eek

Scorpios 12 6

52m   Custom

Xasteria 12 5

52m   Perini Navi

52m   Alloy Yachts

from $266,000 p/w eek

Red Dragon 12 5

52m   Royal Huisman

from $126,000 p/w eek

Aresteas 12 6

51m   Yıldızlar Yachting

from $136,000 p/w eek

Almyra II 12 5

50m   Perini Navi

Baracuda Valletta 10 5

Pan Orama II 49 25

50m   Elthom

50m   Custom

from $94,500 p/w eek

50m   Fitzroy

Perseus 10 5

from $165,000 p/w eek

Lady Gita 12 6

49m   Odisej Shipyard

from $92,000 p/w eek

Acapella 12 5

49m   Custom

Anima Maris 14 6

from $70,000 p/w eek

Invader 6 3

49m   Lawley

from $59,000 p/w eek

Trinakria 10 5

49m   Weiner Werft

from $71,000 p/w eek

Dwinger 11 6

49m   Royal Huisman

from $76,000 p/w eek

Clase Azul 12 6

48m   Radez

47m   Mengi-Yay

Hyperion 6 3

47m   Royal Huisman

Asolare 6 3

47m   Hodgdon Yachts

from $97,000 p/w eek

Andromeda la Dea 9 4

47m   Perini Navi

Carpe Diem V 12 6

47m   Carpe Diem

from $34,000 p/w eek

De Love 14 7

47m   Custom

from $95,000 p/w eek

King of The Sea 22 10

The Maj Oceanic 12 7

Vivien 12 5

47m   Aganlar Boatyard

Tamarita 10 4

from $108,000 p/w eek

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This is a small selection of the global luxury yacht charter fleet, with 3570 motor yachts, sail yachts, explorer yachts and catamarans to choose from including superyachts and megayachts, the world is your oyster. Why search for your ideal yacht charter vacation anywhere else?

136m | Lurssen

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The best of small ship cruises.

Windstar's 148 to 342-guest small ships and personalized approach bring you closer to each destination and every port, so you can see the world from new perspectives. Share intimate moments away from the crowds, and immerse yourself in local, exotic cultures, all on a small cruise ship where surprise and delight are constant companions.

The Wind and the Stars Know the Way

You can slip past the crowds to discover smaller ports and get to know the local culture on more intimate excursions. Windstar's 148 to 342-guest small ships and personalized approach bring you closer to each destination and every port, so you can see the world from new perspectives. We offer two different yacht styles — the iconic sailing Wind Class and all-suite Star Plus Class — with custom-crafted journeys that highlight their unique attributes, whether island-hopping in Tahiti or cruising the Norwegian fjords. No wonder Windstar was voted the World’s Best midsize-ship ocean cruise line by the readers of Travel + Leisure in 2022.  

Iconic Wind Class

Windstar's flagship, Wind Surf sails with just 342 guests in 171 total staterooms: 18 Ocean View Suites with his and her bathrooms, 2 Bridge Suites, 1 Officer's Suite, and 150 Ocean View Staterooms.

Wind Star sails with just 148 pampered guests in 74 total staterooms: 73 deluxe, ocean-view staterooms and 1 deluxe Owner’s Suite with queen beds and a dining/sitting area.

Wind Spirit sails with just 148 pampered guests in 74 total staterooms: 73 deluxe, ocean-view staterooms and 1 deluxe Owner’s Suite with queen beds and a dining/sitting area.

All-suite Star Plus Class

Star Pride welcomes 312 guests in 156 suites, including 4 Owners' Suites, 2 beautiful Classic Suites, 3 Deluxe Suites, 79 Ocean View Suites, 58 Balcony suites, and 10 Star Porthole Suites.

Star Breeze welcomes 312 guests in 156 suites, including 4 Owners' Suites, 2 beautiful Classic Suites, 3 Deluxe Suites, 79 Ocean View Suites, 58 Balcony suites, and 10 Star Porthole Suites.

Star Legend welcomes 312 guests in 156 suites, including 4 Owners' Suites, 2 beautiful Classic Suites, 3 Deluxe Suites, 79 Ocean View Suites, 58 Balcony suites, and 10 Star Porthole Suites.

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Sailing Cruises in Exotic Locations

We provide the best cruises and flotilla trips..

Set sail with American Sailing aboard various mega-yachts located around the world. Find amazing cruises in New England, The British Virgin Islands, Greece, and Croatia. Feel the wind, make new friends and explore multiple ports!

Why Sail with American Sailing?

We Want To Sail

Our goal is to get more people out on the water. We want you to go sailing. We organize these charters to expand our member’s ability to experience the joy of sailing. Therefore, we work to make these trips as affordable as possible.

We Are All Sailors

We are an organization of sailors. American Sailing is the largest sailing education entity in North America. When you sail on one of our member events you will be with other sailors.

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We are not a travel agency or a charter company. We teach sailing. We encourage you to use the skills that you learned while obtaining ASA certifications.  These are pleasure cruises but you will be surrounded by sailors and by people who love the water.

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When you book there is one person handling your trip. One. You are not just another passenger, you are one of our members. Go ahead and send an email to [email protected] and you’ll see that your travel questions will be answered. 

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Whether you are sailing in New England, the British Virgin Islands, or in the Mediterranean, you will always have an American Sailing Ambassador on your trip to help with the details. 

Upcoming Cruises

Explore Croatia aboard Cataleya A Luxury Cruise

Welcome aboard Cataleya a 30 meter luxury sailing yacht which will be your home for 8 days as you explore the Dalmation coast of Croatia. This trip will include stops in Split, Hvar, Korcula as well as a few anchorages that are the secrets of the captain and the crew. Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime sailing vacation.

Greece, Mediterranean A Guided Flotilla

Join American Sailing and Fairwinds Sailing Greece on a journey from Corfu through the Corfu Islands. Our local captains from Fairwinds Sailing will take us to their favorite anchorages and introduce us to Greece as seen through their eyes. Corfu Island is in the north Ionian Sea, between Italy and Greece (Greek “Ιόνιο Πέλαγος” – Italian “Mare Ionio”). Corfu is considered one of the finest and most cosmopolitan islands in the Mediterranean. 

Lenny Shabes Sailing Festival ~ BVIs A Guided Flotilla

Join us for a week of sailing in paradise, as our late founder Lenny Shabes, set out to teach aspiring sailors to do. To pay tribute to all Lenny has done for the world of sailing, we are calling all sailors to partake in a week of festivities ranging from sundowners to regattas in the beautiful BVI’s.

Offshore Passage, Bermuda to NYC A Learn-To-Sail Voyage

Embrace the adventure of a lifetime with our exclusive Learn to Sail vacation. Journey from Bermuda’s serene shores to the iconic Manhattan Marina, mastering the art of sailing and earning ASA credentials on the majestic Arabella. Don’t miss this unparalleled blend of education, adventure, and luxury at sea.

Arabella Grand Tour of New England A Luxury Cruise

Arabella is one of the most beautiful sailing yachts in the world. She epitomizes classic elegance and graceful style and has been an icon along the East Coast in summer and in the Caribbean in winter. Arabella is also US Coast Guard certified, one of the few mega yachts with this designation in our country.

Explore Mallorca Aboard Chronos A Luxury Cruise

Embark on a 6-day luxury sailing adventure aboard Chronos Yacht, exploring Mallorca to Menorca with American Sailing. Enjoy personalized service, secluded coves, and stunning coastlines with a small, passionate group. This intimate voyage offers full-board luxury, breathtaking views, and unique experiences in the heart of the Balearic Islands. Set sail for an unforgettable journey this fall.

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“Everything is taken care of. You don’t have to worry about anything. You just sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery, fresh sea air and fantastic ports of call to explore. In a very short time, we all got to know each other and everyone felt like family to me. I learned a lot, and enjoyed sharing this brief moment in time and space on this lovely boat called the Arabella.”

“What do a film producer, a tech consultant, a dad and his son have in common with a group of Puritans? They all boarded a boat named Arabella bound for Massachusetts, albeit 385 years apart. Unlike John Winthrop and crew the modern passengers sailed in comfort on an ASA sponsored voyage to Martha’s Vinyard, Nantucket and Cuttyhunk islands!”

“Absolutely no better way to relax… A full day of sailing aboard the “melts my heart” Arabella, lobster for dinner and slow trip back to the schooner during golden hour. Fantastic!”

“Steering a 157 foot schooner under full canvas in 20-25 plus winds was exciting, with the wind tearing at my hair. With beautiful blue skies and turquoise seas in 80 degrees, what could be better?”

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If you’re looking for a sailing vacation ruled by the sun, moon, and tides, you’ve found it!

Island Windjammers offers six, ten, and twelve-night sailings aboard our classic clipper ship Vela, schooner Diamant, and sailing yacht Lyra! Vela hosts twenty-six guests, Diamant accommodates ten guests, while our new addition Lyra has room for eight. This is small ship cruising at its finest.

Our Island Girls are fully-crewed and feature air-conditioned cabins, private bathrooms, portholes, and all modern comforts.

Your Captain sets the course. Each day is a new adventure. Free your mind from schedules, and savor each moment as the crew hoists the sails, the trade winds fill the canvas, and you set off to your next secret island destination.

There’s no rush. You’ll have plenty of time ashore to explore vibrant villages, sip rum at quirky beach bars, or laze the days away on pristine beaches.

Even the nights are magical. Shipmates gather on deck to dance, share a joke or tell tales of the day’s adventures. Lean on the rail, and steal a kiss under a canopy of stars.

Live in the now, and breathe it all in. This is island life--and you’re living it!

ALWAYS ON ISLAND TIME

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Discover an experience unlike any other aboard our fleet of superyachts, Evrima , Ilma , and Luminara .

Epicurean Delights

Experience a culinary journey unlike any on land with innovative menus capturing cultural traditions of each port visited.

Luxurious Suites

Designed for the comfort of luxury travelers and each with its own terrace, the yacht's suite experience is unparalleled at sea.

Exceptional Service

With nearly as many staff members as guests, our unwavering commitment to service takes to sea.

All-Inclusive Experience

Feel at ease in your private oasis at sea, with included service and amenities that set a new standard for luxury travel.

THE SPA EXPERIENCE

The onboard spa is the ultimate in relaxation at sea, inviting guests to indulge in scents and delights from around the world.

SHORE EXCURSIONS

Discover curated experiences designed to ensure each moment ashore is uniquely rewarding.

Amenities Abound

Onboard spaces and amenities provide an array of opportunity for entertainment and enrichment.

Luxury Cruises Aboard

A voyage with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers an unprecedented opportunity to be untethered. Here, freedom and flexibility allow immersion in life's exceptional experiences; exploration of earth's exquisite and unexpected hideaways; and stirring of passions and curiosities that create new and deepened connections.

All of this delivered in an intimate setting with a heightened level of care and attention. Enlivened and enlightened, marvel at the beauty of the world through fresh eyes. Live untethered, live fully.

Luxury Caribbean Voyages

The turquoise waters of the Caribbean beckon to sun-drenched islands where history, culture and traditions combine.

Luxury Mediterranean Voyages

Experience the romantic beauty and history of the Mediterranean Sea's colorful coasts and hidden harbors.

Luxury Crossing Voyages

Unplug from everyday life when you cross vast oceans, with time to enjoy the laid-back, unhurried life on board.

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THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

• Boat Rentals
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Speed Boats Tours
• Submarine Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• District Northern (SAO)
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. Moscow River Boat Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Akvanavt Diving Centre

5. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

6. CheapRussia Tours

7. Kite School Kiteclass

8. SUP Center

9. Erwin. Reka

11. Easy Russia Tour Guide

12. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

14. Alfa Centr

15. Diving Club Divers

16. Sup Outdoor

17. MORE MOSCOW

19. Soho Sailing Style

20. Mosparokhodstvo

21. Diving Center Crocodile

22. Dive-Project

24. Kosinskiy Children Marine Club

25. Kayak Moscow

26. DIVECLUB CHE

27. FLOW Moscow

28. Moswake

29. Morskiye Volki

30. S-cruises

What travelers are saying

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• Easy Russia Tour Guide
• Lovely Russia Tours
• MORE MOSCOW
• Insider Moscow Tours
• Flotilla Radisson Royal
• Moscow River Boat Tours
• Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre
• Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

When they ask where you’re from: The World

Explore every ocean and continent in luxurious comfort. As an owner aboard The World , you’re part of a unique international community of adventurers living aboard the largest private residential yacht on Earth.

Choosing a Journey of endless exploration.

Every Resident of The World has a voice in choosing the extraordinary destinations and curated experiences of each year’s itinerary.

The most extraordinary Home you will ever own.

Each of the 165 Residences aboard The World is a luxurious, custom-designed private Home. Will you own a stylish Studio, comfortable one-bedroom Residence, or a sprawling two- or three-bedroom Ocean Residence?

Expeditions: Life-changing experiences only The World can offer.

Each year, Residents of The World have the opportunity to join our extraordinary Expeditions. These weeks-long voyages range across some of the most remote and fascinating waters and lands on Earth, led by preeminent experts in ecology, culture, and adventurous exploration.

Ready to learn more?

Determine whether life aboard The World is the right fit for you. Talk to one of our Residential Advisors today to learn more about this unique lifestyle, details of upcoming Journeys and Expeditions, and ownership opportunities.

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The Best New Small-Ship Cruises to Book in 2024

A uthentic. It was Merriam Webster's top searched word for 2023 and one that has dominated the travel vernacular in recent years. And while many would not necessarily associate the word with ocean cruising , the growth in popularity of small-ship cruises-particularly sailings with 500 guests or fewer-indicates that in the cruising world, passengers are seeking a more intimate, less crowded, and yes, arguably more authentic sailing experience.

Take expedition cruising , for example. As the number of adventure-focused ships and yachts has exploded in recent years, these cruises are no longer just about extreme voyages in polar regions. They are also about offering a deeper look into the culture, food, history, and environmental fragility of remote wonders of the world.

Although there isn't a huge number of new small ships being introduced, there are a few notable vessels that have either recently launched or are launching this year with a focus on the idea that smaller is not just better, but more sustainable, too. These new small-ship cruises bring with them some exciting and more immersive new itineraries to destinations both warm and wintry that have us ready to pack our bags and sail away.

Sea Cloud Cruises' "Sea Cloud Spirit"

• Suggested itinerary: Reset your mind and body on an eight-night sailing through Spain's Canary Islands and on to Morocco on a special cruise featuring experts in restorative health. Pricing starts at $4,895 per person.

What's more authentic-and sustainable-than setting sail on a tall ship where the sails are hoisted up each day by hand? Although not technically new (it was launched in 2021), the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit and its two sister ships, Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II , are upping their game in a push to introduce Sea Cloud Cruises' unique product to North American travelers. The German company has traditionally catered to German and British passengers. As part of its effort to expand its reach and appeal, Sea Cloud is adding wellness programs with daily onboard yoga and guest fitness gurus, in addition to special food- and wine-focused sailings with well-known chefs making appearances. Sea Cloud Spirit , the largest of the three-ship fleet with 69 cabins, was meticulously designed to pay homage to the original Sea Cloud , which was the world's largest private sailing yacht when Wall Street broker Edward Francis Hutton had it built in 1931 for his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.

The Sea Cloud Spirit combines the experience of decades of traditional seamanship with the modern-day luxuries of a private yacht. Cabins range from 172-square-foot single cabins to 300-square-foot balcony suites with soaking tubs. There's a large fitness center and spa, which has a steam room, sauna, and thermal area for two; indoor and outdoor lounges; and a main dining area, plus a more casual bistro. The action, however, is out on deck, where passengers can stargaze at night or simply gaze in awe at the impressive sails blowing in the wind.

Atlas Ocean Voyages' "World Navigator"

• Suggested itinerary: Go searching for Arctic wildlife on a 12-night cruise from Reykjavík, which sails along the eastern coast of Greenland and to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago, one of the world's northernmost inhabited areas and home to polar bears, reindeer, arctic foxes, and other Nordic wildlife. Pricing starts at $6,499 per person.

World Navigator , which sailed its maiden voyage in Antarctica this past November, is the third vessel to join the fleet of one of the newest players in small-ship expedition cruising, Atlas Ocean Voyages. The company's 100-cabin expedition yachts are almost identical and provide a hybrid of sorts between traditional expedition and luxury cruising. Cabins are spacious, almost all with balconies, desks, and seating areas. The bathrooms have glass-mosaic tiled showers with rain showerheads, wall jets, and even benches.

Everything on the ship-including the sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows-is designed to provide maximum views. The ships also have spacious pool decks with two hot tubs, a fitness center overlooking the sea, a spa, and water toys like kayaks and paddleboards. There's even extreme camping gear for those willing to brave an overnight under the stars in Antarctica. During North American winters, all three of Atlas's expedition yachts sail in Antarctica. With the addition of World Navigator , the company is launching more Arctic Circle cruises during the North American summers while also adding a host of new epicurean and cultural expeditions in South America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and northern Europe this year.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's "Ilma"

• Suggested itinerary: Spend a little extra time in port on a 10-day sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon, which has three overnight stays, in Palma de Mallorca and Malaga in Spain, and in Lisbon, Portugal, one of Europe's oldest cities. Pricing starts at $10,600 per person.

Another newcomer to luxury small-ship cruising is the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which debuts its second ship, the Ilma , this year. With 224 suites, the ship is larger than the original Ritz-Carlton yacht, the 149-suite Evrima , which launched in October 2022. On the Ilma , all the suites will have private terraces, including a two-story suite with soaking tub; the coveted, 1,000-square-foot owner's suite has a private outdoor whirlpool. Even the smallest suites are not all that small, at 300 square feet, and come with a personal concierge and 24-hour room service. The yacht boasts what Ritz-Carlton says is the highest ratio of space per guest at sea.

And you can expect to find the same meticulous service standards that you would find at Ritz-Carlton resorts throughout the world as the line aims to impress hotel guests seeking a luxury hotel experience at sea. Onboard are five dining venues, including S.E.A., a European tasting experience designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, Germany; Talaat Nam, featuring Southeast Asian cuisine and a sushi bar; and Mistral, a casual come-as-you-are alfresco grill with a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Light bites are served at the marina at the aft of the ship, where you can also hop on a borrowed paddleboard. Oh, and did we mention there are two outdoor pools, too?

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Concert promoter Live Nation is getting into the ultra-luxury cruise business — see what it'll be like on weeklong superyacht sailings starting at $3,000 a person

• Live Nation's Vibee is getting into the ultra-luxury cruise business.
• The music event curator says it'll charter two superyachts for three weeklong Croatia cruises this summer.
• Like other vacation operators, Vibee says it's seen increasing demand for cruise and yacht-based trips.

Forget concerts — Live Nation wants music fans to start going on yacht vacations .

In 2023 and amid a boom in experiential travel , the entertainment company established Vibee, a music-based event curation arm. Less than a year later, Vibee has already executed affairs like a weekend Bahamas getaway headlined by singer Lionel Richie and a three-day Cabo San Lucas, Mexico party featuring DJ Tiësto.

Now, it's moving off-land and to the high seas with its new segment: Vibee Yacht Club.

This summer, Vibee says it'll charter two superyachts for three weeklong Croatia itineraries that are set to be, of course, centered on music.

Vibee is capitalizing on yet another increasingly popular concept: themed cruises.

Themed cruises can vary vastly, from Star Trek-centered sailings to itineraries helmed by famous comedians. And as of late, many of these niche voyages have been selling out faster than ever before.

Themed cruise operator Sixthman's November 2023 hip-hop itinerary sold out in less than five days with no publicly announced lineup.

Similarly, Vibee's first cruise, the 2023 EDSea — a wordplay on the electronic dance music festival Electric Daisy Carnival, or EDC — was fully booked in three days, again with an undisclosed lineup.

Armed with EDSea’s success, Vibee wants to dive deeper into the cruise segment — this time with a luxurious spin.

"We see the desire for cruise and yacht experiences continuing to rise," Harvey Cohen, president of Vibee, told Business Insider, echoing sentiments of the cruise industry's booming demand.

And not just the mass-market players: Over the last year, luxury cruise lines have also seen a rise in interest.

In its fourth-quarter earnings report from February 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said its two high-end brands, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, had both seen "strong demand."

The latter had launched its latest $517.9 million luxury ship a few months prior, complete with caviar and a $6 million art collection.

Luxury cruises and superyachts aren’t known to be super-affordable.

Vibee says it's chartering the 141-foot-long Lupus Mare and nearly 161-foot-long Prestige for its three yacht sailings.

Vibee Yacht Club's cheapest option starts at $3,100 per person for a two-person cabin. Comparatively, EDSea's 2024 itinerary starts at $1,405 per person for a double occupancy interior cabin.

Yet, it could be a bargain for some superyacht fans: Weeklong charters for Lupus Mare start at about $71,000 a week, according to YachtCharterFleet.

Everything is better on a yacht. Champagne? Tastes better on a yacht. Cruises in general? Better on a yacht.

Going to an international music festival? Well, Vibee thinks it would be better to stay on a yacht than in a hotel.

On July 13, the first itinerary would start on day two of Ultra Europe, a popular three-day electronic dance music festival in Split, Croatia.

Following the event, the two yachts would sail to three Croatian islands before concluding in Hvar, Croatia. Along the way, the itinerary would include daytime swims, a sunset winery visit, and several parties (day and night).

Unsurprisingly, Vibee expects the itinerary to draw in younger travelers, specifically Gen Zers and millennials.

Lupus Mare is set to be chartered for two more itineraries: “Rock the Med” and “Marafiki on the Adriatic.”

A three-person cabin for both starts at $3,500 per person.

On Rock the Med, the week is set to begin with VIP tickets to a Lenny Kravitz show at the historic Pula Arena.

Afterward, it would sail to Croatian destinations with an itinerary that would include beach excursions and clubs.

Marafiki on the Adriatic isn’t centered on a single music event.

Instead, the roundtrip Split itinerary would feature on-board musical performances, daily yoga, "cultural outings," and, of course, beach clubs.

A bonus trip to Sonus Festival, a five-day rave, is an optional add-on.

Like a typical luxury cruise, travelers would have preorganized water taxis, chefs to prepare daily breakfasts and lunches, and all the yacht amenities.

The 20-cabin, 40-guest Prestige flexes indulgences like an indoor lounge, a hot tub, and a sundeck with plenty of beds.

Meanwhile, the 15-cabin, 34-guest Lupus Mare has comforts like a sauna and gym.

Travelers could wind down in the yacht's movie theater or hot tub. Or, they could take a slide into the water.

It’s no surprise Vibee is going the more sumptuous route with its itinerary-focused yacht concept.

" Revenge travel " might as well be known as "regular travel" at this point: People have continued to spend big on extravagant vacations, especially on luxury small cruise ships and trips planned around experiences and adventures.

Both are niches Vibee is trying to carve out for itself: Looking ahead, the new brand is already planning more music and sea-based vacations, Cohen told Business Insider.

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Watch: World's largest cruise ship rescues 14 people stranded at sea for over a week

Passengers caught the unusual sight on video when people stranded on a small boat flagged down the behemoth ship for help..

Cruise ship rescued 14 stranded at sea for over a week

This was the scene from the lunch buffet during the first full day of cruising for the Icon of the Seas. The crew rescued all 14 from the distressed boat which was dwarfed by the largest cruise ship in the world.

The largest cruise ship in the world rescued 14 people Sunday who had been stranded on a small boat for eight days.

Alessandra Amodio was traveling on Royal Caribbeans's Icon of the Seas with her family when the rescue happened.

"We were really surprised and honestly a little freaked out," Amodio said. "We’ve been on a handful of cruises and never seen something like this happen. It was crazy to think that these people were stuck at sea for so long, and we were all on board excited and relieved that the ship was able to rescue them."

WATCH: STORM FLOODS CRUISE SHIP IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

The largest cruise ship in the world has 20 decks, 2,800 guest cabins, holds 2,350 crew, seven pools and a water park.

(Alessandra Amodio / FOX Weather)

She watched the small boat from the windows of the lunch buffet. People on the tiny craft were waving a large white flag.

"The boat turned around, and we pulled up as close as we could to them and stopped," Amodio said. "RCC (Royal Caribbean) deployed a small zodiac-type rescue boat to investigate."

As you can imagine, turning around the largest cruise ship in the world takes quite a while. Getting near a small boat without swamping it in the ship's wake takes careful skill. The detour and rescue took about two hours, according to Amodio.

"Everyone around us was watching from the windows with us and just talking about how this isn’t something we ever thought to experience, and we hoped everyone on board was OK," she said. "But never were we afraid for ourselves."

CARNIVAL CRUISE'S JUBILEE VESSEL RESCUE TWO MEN OFF MEXICO

The Icon of the Seas at port.

She described the boat as a small dot in the vastness of the sea.

Royal Caribbean didn't provide much information about the rescue.

"On March 3, 2024,  Icon of the Seas  encountered a small vessel adrift and in need of assistance," the company said in a statement. "The ship’s crew immediately launched a rescue operation, safely bringing 14 people onboard. The crew provided them with medical attention , and is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard."

Amodio said the crew had to take several trips to the small boat to rescue everyone.

WATCH: MASSIVE ROGUE WAVE BATTERS CRUISE SHIP IN NORTH SEA

One of many rescue trips to bring those stranded on board the cruise ship

This is video of one of the trips the cruise ship's crew made to bring back those rescued.

This was the ship's first full day of cruising. The eight-day vacation started in Miami and the ship was headed for Honduras. Amodio estimated from a map that the Icon of the Seas was between Cozumel, Mexico and western Cuba.

Captain's legal responsibility to aid boaters in distress

According to Amodio, the crew broadcast "Code Oscar, Code Oscar, Code Oscar," over the loudspeakers, about 3 p.m.

"Then shortly after, the captain came back on the speaker and announced they spotted a distressed vessel, and they were going to turn us around and investigate," she said. 

Amodio said that after the rescue, the captain announced that the crew had rescued 14 people stranded at sea for eight days. The captain said he didn't know what country they came from.

All the rescued people left the ship the next day while docked in Roatan, Honduras, she said.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

File: In an aerial view, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, billed as the world's largest cruise ship, is moored at PortMiami after returning from its maiden voyage on February 03, 2024, in Miami, Florida. The 1,197-foot long ship cost $1.79 billion to build, has 20 decks, and can hold a maximum of 7,600 people. 

(Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

According to maritime law, a ship and crew have a legal and moral obligation to help save human life.

"A master of a ship at sea, which is in a position to be able to provide assistance on receiving a signal from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance," stated the International Maritime Organization .

Code Oscar is unique to Royal Caribbean, according to Marine Insight . The emergency code is usually used when a person falls overboard. Captains use the signal instead of shouting orders to "prevent the potentiality of chaos."

This is the Icon of the Seas' inaugural season. Its very first voyage with passengers was early this year, and FOX Weather got a tour.

CRUISE SHIP CARNIVAL SUNSHINE POUNDED BY LARGE WAVES DURING COASTAL STORM NEAR CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

World's largest cruise ship debuting in Miami

It's time to say goodbye to your worries and set sail on your next vacation. Royal Caribbean has made history in Miami this week with the arrival of their largest cruise ship yet, called Icon of the Seas. It has a bunch of weather-ready amenities, including its own chief meteorologist, and that's just the start. Lifestyle expert Carey Reilly is on deck to give us a sneak peek at the boatloads of fun.

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Set a course for adventure: 'Love Boat' cast reuniting for cruise – and a stop in Newport

Bernie Kopell remains proud to have never lost a patient. And that was in 12 years as Dr. Adam Bricker, beloved ship's physician/Casanova on the 1970s-1980s “The Love Boat” television series.

The popularity of Dr. Bricker and the whole ”Love Boat” series refuses to fade. Instead, thanks to four decades of reruns, Doc, Isaac, Gopher, Julie, Vicki and Capt. Stubing may be more popular than ever.

Why else would Princess Cruises keep bringing the ships' crew back again and again and again as ambassadors and stars on their Love Boat-themed cruises? All of the major actors, except Gavin MacLeod/Capt. Stubing (died in 2021), are still with us. And Kopell, Ted Lange (bartender Isaac Washington), Fred Grandy (purser Burl “Gopher” Smith), and Jill Whelan (captain's daughter Vicki) are scheduled to be aboard the Enchanted Princess for its late summer, seven-day, five-port U.S.-Canadian excursion, which includes a Day 2 (Sept. 1) stop in Newport .

“It's a dream, and I've been living my dream with Princess for all these many years,” Kopell, 90, said during a recent phone interview from his home in Tarzana, California. “And I say, lucky, lucky, lucky. Thank you, thank you.”

Christened in the fall of 2021, the 1,083-foot Enchanted Princess features 19 decks, 1,830 cabins and accommodates 3,660 guests served by a crew of 1,346. The summer Love Boat cruise starts and ends in New York City and features port stops in Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Maine, St. John, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The dates are Aug. 31 to Sept. 7.

"The Love Boat" television series started out with the Pacific Princess (actually two ships were used) on three-night Mexican cruises out of Los Angeles. With the show's popularity, the cruises expanded to Alaska, the Mediterranean, China and beyond. In their roles as ambassadors, the crew has seen even more of the world. It's one heck of a retirement gig.

“It's never-ending. It just keeps on going,” Kopell said. “We go to other places we've never been before. Just came back with the Ruby Princess. We went down to South America, Central America. All over the place. It's just a treat.”

Also loved for his five-season recurring role as hilarious bad guy Sigfried on “Get Smart,” Kopell was no sailing neophyte when he landed the role of Dr. Bricker. Kopell is a Navy veteran, having toured the world while serving aboard the USS Iowa in peacetime between the Korean and Vietnam wars. Enroute to shooting Love Boat outdoor scenes aboard Princess ships in San Pedro, California, Kopell said he would drive right by his old Navy ship.

Aboard the Iowa, Kopell's duties included teaching a GED course to help shipmates earn a high school equivalency diploma. A graduate of New York University, Kopell was also a ship's librarian. “People say, what did you do in the Navy?” Kopell said. “I said, well, I kept America safe from overdue books.”

What was 'Love Boat' like for Bernie Kopell?

"The Love Boat" was somehow given three pilot episodes before ABC brought it into its regular lineup. The first pilot featured Kopell's friend, Dick Van Patten, as the ship's physician, then named Dr. O'Neil. Kopell said ABC, which had Van Patten under contract, yanked him from "Love Boat" to star in “Eight is Enough,” which enjoyed great success. Shortly before “Love Boat,” Van Patten and Kopell both had supporting roles on the famously flopped ABC TV show “When Things Were Rotten.” Van Patten subsequently made multiple guest star appearances on “Love Boat.”

After Van Patten lost his medical license, so to speak, Kopell landed the ship's doc role, but it was not handed to him. He had to audition where, for one of the rare times in his life, he opted not to be a nice guy. Kopell recalled wearing a spiffy nautical jacket. Another actor there to audition complimented Kopell on the jacket and asked if he could use it for his audition.

“I'm supposed to say yes and be so generous,” Kopell said. “But I said sorry. I got it for my own self. So, of course, that's how I got the part.”

Perhaps Kopell's favorite “Love Boat” episode starred dancer/actress Juliet Prowse playing one of Doc's ex-wives. The script called for the two to become, briefly, romantically reunited. Kopell said he was excited and nervous when he first saw the script. He almost went into cardiac arrest when, after a stuttering inquisition into who would play his ex, he was told it was Prowse, whom he confesses to having had a crush on. “I said oh, how lucky can I get?”

Kopell loves to mention that “Love Boat” numbered multiple Academy Award winners among its guests stars. In fact, he said he's writing a book on that topic. He listed Eva St. Marie, Ernest Borgnine and Shirley Jones. He and the late Borgnine, of “McHale's Navy” fame, became close friends.

Kopell said he routinely watches “The Love Boat” on Sundays at 5 p.m. on his Channel 54. Recently, his 21-year-old son, after watching dad on an episode, complimented Kopell for being fit and trim. Kopell said he stayed fit by playing a lot of tennis and skipping rope, which he is shown doing in at least one episode.

Kopell said that today, at 90, he still whacks the tennis ball around. “Keep coming at 'em. That's been my motto since the beginning,” he said.

Kopell said that when he first came to Hollywood, his agent told him he wasn't handsome enough to be a lead nor gooney enough to play a “heavy.” Kopell survived those first five years by playing roles that called for a Latino accent.

His German/Austrian accent served him so well as Siegfried on “Get Smart.” To this day, fans of the show ask him to recite famous lines, often from an episode where he is captaining a KAOS (the self-professed international organization of evil) submarine which is the target of good-guy depth chargers. After one charger shakes the submarine and his crew starts to scream and run about in fear, Siegfried grabs the microphone and barks out, “This is KAOS. You will not panic until you are given the order to panic.”

After another depth charger rocks the sub much more severely, Siegfried again grabs the mic and this time cries out, “Prepare to panic.”

Kopell said he never had a contract to do his “Get Smart” work. At the same time, he also had a recurring role on “That Girl,” starring Marlo Thomas. He said he got to know the ABC schedulers well and was able to shoot “Get Smart” on Mondays and Thursdays, and do “That Girl” on the other days.

Love Boat cruise is 'like coming home'

He also remains close friends with “Get Smart” co-star Barbara Feldon and with Marlo Thomas, and still meets them for dinner when he's in New York City.

Which is where he will be on the last day of August for the Love Boat cruise and yet another reunion with people he considers family. From the beginning of "Love Boat," he said, the cast got along very well. The chemistry was great.

And it's still the same come cruise time.

“It's like coming home,” Kopell said.

Rooms are still available for the late-summer Love Boat cruise which stops in Newport. Visit  www.princess.com  for details.

Two Holland America Line crew members die in onboard 'incident' in Bahamas

Two Holland America Line crew members died on the line’s Nieuw Amsterdam ship on Friday.

The deaths occurred following an “incident in an engineering space” around 9:20 a.m. while the ship was calling at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, according to a spokesperson for the line.

“All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members’ families at this difficult time,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company’s absolute priority.”

Nieuw Amsterdam is currently sailing a week-long Eastern Caribbean cruise that departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, according to CruiseMapper .

“The appropriate authorities were notified, and the cause of the incident is currently being investigated,” the spokesperson added, noting that earlier reports that the crew members died in a fire on board were incorrect.

Holland America is also offering counseling services to team members.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].