A cruise aboard a tall ship (like in our image above, by mikebaird) gives you the chance to experience the romance of sailing. Unlike the experience on a modern, city-like cruise ship, which cocoons you away from the ocean, on a tall ship, there’s no escape from the sailing experience. You’re up close and personal with the water, with your vessel and with the apparatus that ensures your smooth navigation of the latter through the former.
Naturally, there’s more to a top tall ship cruise than a great boat. You need a well-trained and eager crew and, most importantly, you need stunning waters in which to sail. Here’s our pick of the world’s best tall ship cruises.
Twilight Dinner Cruise around Sydney Harbour, Australia
A two-hour sundown jaunt around one of the world’s most beautiful harbours accompanied by live music and classic Aussie “tucker”. If you haven’t hit the rum too hard, you can try your hand at hoisting and setting the sails.
Crew the Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, USA
Join the crew of the Mystic Whaler – a reproduction 19th-century coastal cargo schooner – as it races from Baltimore, Maryland to Portsmouth, Virginia over five days. As a “full” crew member, you’re welcome to take on as many or as few responsibilities as you’re comfortable with.
Take part in New York’s Fleet Week, USA
Aboard a 65-foot, two-masted schooner, you have the best seat in the house for this annual honouring of the US military. As part of the flotilla sailing through New York Harbour, you get close to all sorts of sea-going vessels, ranging from other tall ships to active US Navy warships.
Caribbean island hop by windjammer, Caribbean
There’s no doubt about it, sailing aboard one of these old-timer steel-hulled cargo ships is the most stylish way to navigate the Caribbean. And frankly, this is as close as you’re going to get these days to the life of Jack Sparrow.
Sail aboard a (replica of a) legend, Hong Kong
Most modern tall ships these don’t have that pirate ship galleon look about them, but The Bounty certainly does. Modelled after the legendary 18th-century British West Indies trading vessel, the one made famous for its mutiny, this modern day, full-sized replica provides a seriously cool way to see Hong Kong’s spectacular skyline from Victoria Harbour.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
