Cruise ships that use sails for propulsion constitute a distinct segment within the cruise industry
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 66 – September 2023
Sailing cruise ships could be considered part of the luxury segment, primarily due to the service they provide, but also part of the expedition segment because of their itineraries. Some could even be included in yacht charters. However, this specialization led to a slowdown in growth. The pandemic also posed another tremendous obstacle to this destination-centric segment. Nevertheless, two new sailing ships have been added to the cruise fleet, one of them built in Spain. The decarbonization of cruises could provide a new boost to sailing in the cruise industry, and in recent months projects such as those from Accor (with two sailing ships ordered from Chantiers de l'Atlantique), Ponant, and Hurtigruten have emerged, incorporating cutting-edge technologies applied to traditional sails.
Sailing passenger ships are certainly far from the current standard of a cruise ship, but the fifteen ships currently existing in that category offer an unforgettable experience. If we add up the capacity of these fifteen ships, that total (around 2,000-2,500 passengers) is less than the capacity of the smallest ship in any operator in the standard cruise segment, such as Royal Caribbean, MSC, or Costa. And that is their main value: their exclusivity, offering a journey that cannot be forgotten. A cruise that becomes an adventure on the high seas, with classic luxury combined with the sense of adventure provided by the sails and the ship's slight heeling.
On a traditional sailing ship, the vessel itself is a spectacle: passengers gather on deck every morning to hear the captain or cruise director's details about upcoming ports of call, optional excursions, the day's main events, or even to witness the captain's orders during maneuvers or instructions on how to raise the sails. On some ships, passengers can even participate in raising the sails.
At night, after dinner, the leisure options are limited to performances by local folk groups, or performances by the passengers and crew themselves in an impromptu “talent show”, which is very successful, although not as much as going up on deck to see the sails billowing in the wind, or looking at the stars, or talking to the officer on watch whenever navigation allows.
WindStar replaces the sails on its ships every 10 years. The canvas from the replaced sails is turned into bags and backpacks that are sold on board.
This specialization has led to a stagnation in shipowners' investments in new sailing cruise ships, resulting in only two vessels being delivered in this category since 2010, and ten ships in the current fleet being over 20 years old. However, the emergence of new technologies, such as solid sails, has sparked a resurgence in this segment, with Accor placing an order for two mega-sailing ships and an option for two more.
Silenseas, a revolutionary super-sail ship in environmental terms.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique's interest in sail propulsion dates back a long way. As early as 2008, with the Ecorizon research program, they embarked on this path, developing an initial sail prototype called "AeolDrive." This first concept led to the "Solid Sail-AeolDrive," culminating in the installation in 2022 in Saint-Nazaire of a 1:1 scale model on land, with an investment exceeding €18 million, 50% of which was public funding. This was the final step before the potential installation of such a sail on a cruise ship. This rig is 95 meters high, tilts 70 degrees to pass under bridges, and supports a 1,200 m² Solid Sail. This rigid sail is made up of rectangular panels articulated in an accordion style, facilitating automated lowering and deployment. The membrane will be made of fiberglass, the frame of carbon fiber, and the textile seams connecting the panels of Dyneema, a fiber known to be 15 times stronger than steel. The lifespan of the “Solid Sail” would thus be five times longer than that of a traditional sail. Furthermore, it could be manufactured in dimensions unattainable for fabric sails.
The Orient Express Silenseas will be the world's largest sailing ship when it is delivered in 2026, doubling the size of the current largest sailing vessel. It will also become an environmental benchmark, thanks to its SolidSail sails, which ensure service speed in most weather conditions. The three rigid sails each have a surface area of 1,500 m² (4,500 m² total). The masts will be tilting and will be over 100 meters tall. It will also have a hybrid auxiliary propulsion system that will run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), and in the future, on green hydrogen. The ship will be 220 meters long and will have fifty-four suites that can accommodate 120 passengers, with sizes ranging from 70 m² in the standard cabin to 1,415 m² in the presidential suite. Two swimming pools, including a swimming lane suspended between two bridges, a theater, a recording studio for pop stars who would like to charter the ship, a 550 m2 spa, an open marina at the stern, two restaurants, a lounge bar, a theater, etc. will be some of its hotel attractions.
Windstar Cruises:
The story of Windstar Cruises began in 1984 when a group of American investors commissioned a French shipyard to build a new cruise ship design, originally conceived by the Finnish shipyard Wärtsilä, called the "Windcruiser." This vessel combined diesel-electric propulsion with four 57.5-meter masts and 2,000 square meters of computer-controlled sails, capable of propelling the ship itself. It can be considered the predecessor of Accor ships, but without solid sails. In terms of accommodations, it offered 75 cabins for 150 passengers, who enjoyed the romantic atmosphere associated with sailing in a relaxed setting designed to appeal to the "yuppies" of the late 1980s. In the late 1980s, Club Med commissioned two larger ships of the same design, which it named Club Med 1 and Club Med 2. These ships, weighing 14,700 GT, could accommodate 340 passengers, had 150 cabins, and featured five masts. The first was sold to Windstar in 1998 and renamed Wind Surf.
Star Clippers offers an informal, destination-oriented atmosphere with the main attraction being the interaction with other passengers on board.
Windstar Cruises belonged to Carnival Corp until 2007. After flirting with bankruptcy in 2011, Xanterra Resorts, a North American multinational of theme parks and hotels, immediately injected the necessary money to renew a fleet that was approaching thirty years old.
For example, in November 2017, the Wind Surf received new Dacron sails designed and manufactured in France, totaling 2,015 m² of surface area. All of these computerized sails furl automatically and operate remotely from the bridge, or according to the ship's officers' instructions. The Wind Surf has achieved a maximum sail speed of 15.6 knots on a transatlantic crossing.
The Wind Surf spends every summer in Europe and also offers a season in the Southern Caribbean, based in Barbados with a focus on the Lesser Antilles. The Wind Star sails the Greek islands during the summer from Piraeus, while in winter it cruises the Pacific waters from Costa Rica and the Panama Canal. The Wind Spirit used to be based in French Polynesia year-round, but from 2024 onwards it will offer the same destinations as its sister ship.
Sea Cloud Cruises:
The origins of Sea Cloud Cruises date back to October 1978, when the owners of the 1931 yacht Sea Cloud sold the vessel to a syndicate of German shipowners led by Klaus Oldendorff. They refurbished it in Kiel and converted it into a cruise ship. In 1990, the Sea Cloud was sold to its current owners, Hansa Treuhand, who, after modernizing the Sea Cloud in Venice during the winter of 1992-93, and faced with enormous demand from the tour operators who chartered their ship, decided to undertake the project of a sister ship.
Finally, on March 21, 1997, the construction contract was signed between Hansa Treuhand and Astilleros Gondán, of Castropol, Asturias, with a two-year construction period. The ship was finally delivered in 2001 as the Sea Cloud II. It had three masts, rigged in a barque configuration. The mainmast had a maximum height of 59.9 meters, and the sail area was 2,757.58 m². The running rigging was not computer-controlled, but it was easy to handle. However, the traditional onboard atmosphere prevented passengers from assisting with this task, as is common on other sailing ships dedicated to cruising. The ship did not have any active stabilization system, although contractually the heel could not exceed 8º in force 5 winds. The speed in 26 knots of wind was 12 knots.
The excellent reception of the Sea Cloud II and the age of the original Sea Cloud persuaded Hansa Treuhand to build a third sailing ship. The contract was signed in September 2007 with another Spanish shipyard, Factoría Naval Marin, with delivery in 2009 as the Sea Cloud Hussar, recreating the original Sea Cloud name. However, the shipyard's bankruptcy, along with successive global economic crises, pandemics, and other factors, meant that it was finally delivered in 2021, fourteen years after its commissioning, by the Vigo-based shipyard MetalShips&Docks, under the name Sea Cloud Spirit.
Its exterior silhouette maintained the profile of its two predecessors, with three masts, barque rig, figurehead, etc., while the interior recreated the opulence of the great yachts built in the interwar period. This large sailing ship, 4,228 GT and 138 meters in length, has lines that follow the style of its predecessor, Sea Cloud II, with three masts (the mainmast is 57 meters high) capable of rigging 28 sails that support 4,165 m² of sail area to catch the wind while sailing. It also features a diesel-electric mechanical system to ensure propulsion under any circumstances. It offers 69 cabins, 25 of them with private balconies, accommodating 136 passengers, attended by 90 crew members, 40 of whom are responsible for maneuvering when under sail. It has a luxury restaurant at the stern, a wine bar, a library, a spa with a hair salon, a gym with views, and, as a new feature, an elevator.
Star Clippers ships sail 80% of the time.
Sea Cloud Cruises' ships offer the authentic taste of classic sailing traditions. Teak decks, polished wood, gleaming brass, and carefully stowed ropes captivate every passenger. On these ships, sailing is not just a spectacle, it's a true craft, and the owner offers, usually in autumn, tandem sailing trips, including transatlantic crossings, reminiscent of the Tea Race of the Cutty Sark era. The rigging is done by hand, so passengers can enjoy the sounds of commands echoing across the deck as the crew climbs the masts to hoist the sails, transforming each maneuver into a centuries-old ritual that revives the sailing of yesteryear.
The Sea Cloud fleet is based in Europe during the summer, with two ships in the Mediterranean and a third in the Baltic. During the winter, they offer excellent itineraries to the Lesser Antilles, Panama, and Costa Rica. The ships are generally chartered to other operators, such as Kalos Golf, Linblad Expeditions, Noble Caledonia, etc.
Star Clippers:
In 1986, Mikael Kraft sold all his companies in Sweden and founded White Star Clippers in Belgium. Currently, Star Clippers has a fleet of three ships. The oldest are the sister ships Star Flyer and Star Clipper, delivered in 1991 and 1992, respectively, which were built in Belgium. They were the first manually rigged sailing ships built in the last hundred years. They have a gross tonnage of 2,298 GT, a length of 115 meters, and their construction cost around $25 million. They have a maximum capacity of 180 passengers and a crew of 72. Their cabins are relatively small, most of them equipped with traditional portholes.
The flagship of the fleet was delivered as the Royal Clipper in 2000. At 4,425 GT, it was twice the size of its predecessors. It offers 114 cabins, including 14 with balconies.
Despite their differences in size, the common areas on these three ships are also similar: a spacious dining room in the center of the lowest deck, which is the only dining option on board; a library; two bars; and a teak-decked outdoor deck with two small pools (three on the Royal Clipper), about the size of a jacuzzi on a mega-ship. The Royal Clipper also features an observation lounge forward and a watersports platform aft. In short, a different concept for enjoying a unique and unforgettable vacation.
In March 2016, at the 25th anniversary celebration of his shipping company, Michael Kraft revealed in Paris the name of the fourth ship in his fleet: Flying Clipper, which was to be delivered in 2018. Its construction was entrusted to a Croatian shipyard, with a budget of $100 million. His design recreated the France II, a brigantine delivered in 1911 in Bordeaux: it was intended to be his most modern ship, but with a classic design. It had a gross tonnage of 8,770 and a capacity for 300 passengers and 140 crew members. The Flying Clipper was to have five masts, thirty-five sails, and 6,350 square meters of deck space. It offered 34 suites with balconies, and among its attractions were a two-deck restaurant, a dive bar in the double bottom of the hull, and all the amenities typical of the Star Clippers lineup: a library, the Tropical Bar, the Piano Bar, etc. This ship was supposed to be delivered in 2018, but construction delays led the shipowner to break the contract and sue the shipyard. It was meant to be the culmination of Kraft's dream, but it became his biggest headache.
Ultimately, the ship was completed as the Golden Horizon in 2021 by the shipyard itself, as the world's largest sailing vessel, with a capacity of 272 passengers. However, it only sailed during the summer of 2021, first due to the risk of embargo by Star Clippers, and then because its construction was financed by a Russian entity and was affected by sanctions against Moscow.
In 2021, fourteen years after its commission, Sea Cloud received the Sea Cloud Spirit, built in Spain.
For over 30 years, Star Clippers' three ships have introduced passengers to the modern concept of sailing. Star Clipper offers its passengers unique opportunities that can only be enjoyed on a sailing vessel. One of the most popular is climbing the mast to its crow's nest, 25 feet above sea level, for an incredible view of the ship's upper deck and the nearby coastline. Another unique activity is the bowsprit net, located above the figurehead, where passengers can lie back with the water below. The bowsprit extends nearly 10 meters forward of the ship's bow, is open to passengers during the day, and the hammock-like net suspended over the ocean offers arguably the most exclusive and enchanting environment of any cruise ship.
The Star Clipper fleet typically sails the Mediterranean during the summer, offering voyages through the Aegean and Adriatic, while in winter they explore the Lesser Antilles and Panama, sailing to remote ports beyond the reach of larger ships. The Star Clipper was based in Bali for many years, right up until the pandemic, offering cruises to Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.
Ponant
began its journey in the cruise industry with a sailing ship, the Le Ponant, in 1991, equipped with three masts and automatic rigging. However, none of the twelve subsequent ships built by the French shipowner incorporated this option. Far from forgetting its firstborn, though, Ponant undertook a comprehensive refurbishment between 2019 and 2021, taking advantage of the pandemic. They reduced its already limited capacity from 64 to just 32 passengers, transforming Le Ponant into one of the most exclusive ships in the cruise fleet—a true private yacht with a 1:1 passenger-crew ratio. The refurbishment added a spa, a gym, an onshore power outlet (OPS) for drawing electricity from shore while in port, a new restaurant with an outdoor terrace, and extended the aft deck.
Previously, it had expanded its 1,212 m2 of sails with a new spinnaker of more than 1,000 m2, capable of delivering 15 knots of speed.
Le Ponant was based in the Seychelles, in the heart of the Indian Ocean, after the pandemic, during the winter of 2022-23. Taking advantage of the trade winds, it sailed through this tropical paradise where wild flora and fauna thrive in its crystal-clear waters. This summer it offers cruises along the Kimberley Coast in northwest Australia; and next winter it will first offer cruises from Cape Verde, and then from Fort-de-France to the Caribbean.
Ponant is designing its 14th vessel, aiming for a carbon-neutral ship. The challenge lies in designing a vessel capable of combining various non-fossil fuel energy sources onboard, including wind propulsion. The preliminary design was finalized in late 2022, and specifications were sent to several European shipyards for evaluation this summer. The initial goal was to have the ship sailing by 2025, a target that now seems highly ambitious.
The design, known as “Swap2Zero” (Sustainable, Wind-Assisted Propulsion, Zero-Emission Ready), was created by Stirling Design International, Ponant's usual engineering firm. It entails a cruise ship approximately 180 meters long, with 100 passenger cabins.
In the NABU 2022 ranking, Hurtigruten was chosen as the most environmentally friendly shipping company.
The project incorporates a combination of six technologies to decarbonize its operation. Ponant has presented two designs, showcasing two different sail systems currently under evaluation. One proposes the use of six “Ayro Oceanwings” sails, while the other utilizes three “Solid Sail” sails, patented by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and also specified for Accor vessels. The goal is for 50% of the cruise ship's propulsion energy to come from wind. A low-temperature fuel cell powered by liquid hydrogen would also supply electrical energy for propulsion, in addition to producing water and heat. A carbon capture system would be coupled with the high-temperature fuel cell.
The ship's electrical power would come from over 1,000 m² of photovoltaic panels integrated into the superstructure and sails, similar to the Hurtigruten prototype. A high-temperature fuel cell would provide electricity for hotel use, and the emitted heat would be recovered and used to produce hot water.
All systems on board the ship would be managed by a power control system designed to operate without using generators.
Hurtigruten's New Sailing Ships:
The historic Norwegian shipping company Hurtigruten has also unveiled a zero-emissions ship project called "Sea Zero." It is currently in a research and development phase that will continue until 2025, following an initial conceptual phase by SINTEF that lasted until 2022. During this time, the most important concepts and ideas will be developed into technology so that the project is ready for delivery in 2030. The project envisions a 135-meter-long ship with 270 cabins, capable of carrying 500 passengers—a size similar to the ships in the current fleet—in an effort to maintain an intimate atmosphere.
Studies surrounding the “Sea Zero” showed that this new vessel had to reach new standards in energy efficiency and primarily use sustainable electric power, along with neutral fuels.
The “Sea Zero” will be equipped with three autonomous, retractable sails to harness wind and solar power. These sails will improve the ship's aerodynamics, drawing air currents up to a height of 50 meters for increased propulsion. They will be covered with 1,500 m² of photovoltaic solar panels, ideal for Arctic summers with their nearly 24 hours of sunlight, including the famous midnight sun.
The sails of the “Sea Zero”, and the OPS installation to utilize the renewable energy available in Norwegian ports, will be stored in a 60MWh battery bank. The project even includes a battery charge indicator on the sides of the vessel to show its charge level.
Artificial intelligence will enable a new bridge design, reducing its size and redesigning it to resemble an aircraft, allowing for a more aerodynamic superstructure and more passenger space on the upper decks, including a forward observation platform just meters above the waterline. The vessel will also feature other cutting-edge technologies already in use, such as two retractable aft maneuvering thrusters, a counter-rotating main thruster, and an air-lubrication system for the hull.
Other shipowners:
The schooner Rembrandt van Rijn is owned by the Dutch shipping company OceanWide, which specializes in expedition cruises. It is the only sailing ship offering trips to the Arctic, particularly to Svalbard and Greenland. It is an austere vessel, whose only luxury is the conference room. This adventure cruise is designed to instill a sense of adventure in every aspect, as if you were aboard Amundsen's Maud or Scott's Endurance. It carries only 33 passengers in cabins with bunks, is 49 meters long, and offers the added attraction of landings in its two Zodiacs.
The Greek shipping company Variety Cruises, specializing in small cruise ships also suitable for charter, has two vessels in its fleet with auxiliary sail propulsion. The Panorama II has two masts supporting 600 square meters of sail. It offers 25 cabins accommodating 49 passengers, attended by a crew of 16. It currently offers 7- and 10-day cruises from Papeete to French Polynesia.
In recent months, several projects have emerged that incorporate cutting-edge technologies applied to traditional candles.
Its sister ship, Panorama I, has three masts supporting three sails in a schooner rig. It also has a capacity of 49 passengers, attended by 18 crew members, and offers an open marina aft suitable for water sports. During the summer, it offers round-trip cruises from Piraeus to the lesser-known islands of the Aegean, while during the winter it offers an interesting itinerary between Costa Rica and Panama, passing through the Panama Canal.
Cruise Ship Projects with Auxiliary Sails:
A relatively modern concept, which has garnered significant attention in recent months, is the use of sail as an auxiliary propulsion system. This year alone, more than 40 ships of all types have been equipped with auxiliary sails, according to the International Windship Association, a 20% increase over last year. The reason is to reduce emissions and fuel costs. This trend has also reached the cruise sector, spearheaded by companies like Ponant and Hurtigruten.
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