Sails equipped with solar panels, routes to remote destinations, boutique superyachts, designer suites, and marinas that unfold over the sea to turn the journey into pure hedonism. When budget is not a limit, sailing can become an experience as extreme as it is extraordinary. But the story is no longer just about luxury: technological innovation, sustainability, and the search for more enriching, even transformative experiences, are now shaping the course of new sea voyages.
It may seem like science fiction, but it's not. What you see on the sails of the ship above these lines are indeed solar panels. And not just a few: they cover from top to bottom the five masts of the Captain Arctic, the first ship of the Selar cruise line, which will debut in November with a journey through Norway where passengers can swim in crystal clear waters alongside majestic orcas.
The company, founded by Sophie Galvagnon, the first female Arctic captain, has designed this ship to sail solely with the power of the sun and wind thanks to those five solid sails, covered with 1,800 square meters of solar panels. The result: zero noise, zero vibrations, zero odors, and a 90% reduction in CO emissions compared to any other cruise in the region. "The more I sailed through the Arctic, the more evident the need for a change in our way of exploring became. I decided to dedicate my experience to transforming the cruise industry to ensure the preservation of these remote regions that I love so much," explains Galvagnon.
Each expedition will be led by a team of expert sailors and polar explorers. With them, travelers can do everything from "observing bears in absolute silence to having a hot chocolate in a floating wooden cabin or kayaking in front of an intensely blue glacier, surrounded by the sound of ice."
Glamorous marina on the waves
Four Seasons, the iconic luxury hotel chain, sets sail this March with the launch of a collection of yachts set to shake up ultra-luxury hospitality at sea. One of its most innovative features is a modular system that allows connecting the suites, offering up to a hundred possible combinations (both vertical and horizontal), including the option to reserve an entire side of the deck. A proposal designed for families or larger groups of friends.
Another fantastic detail is the aft pool, set to become one of the largest in the industry, nearly 19 meters long and 5 meters wide. And there's more: the marina, perhaps the most avant-garde concept of the project. It is a space with two retractable platforms over the sea, one on the port side and one on the starboard side, where all those wonderful things of a luxury journey happen: water sports, wellness, relaxation, gastronomy, and much more.
The Explora III will be inaugurated on August 1 in Barcelona to set sail for Northern Europe, Iceland, and Greenland. Larger than its predecessors, this ship from Explora Journeys opts for a relaxed and contemporary luxury. This sensibility is reflected in its Owner's Residence, the most spectacular suite on the ship, designed by Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola and conceived as an intimate retreat that moves to the rhythm of the sea.
Another highlight of Explora is the spa with the latest sound therapies, an unbeatable recipe for relaxation, and its fitness area, which allows everything from private training to running on a track that runs through all decks. Elite sports will also be present in its debut this summer, led by none other than Jannik Sinner, brand ambassador. Guests will be able to enjoy training sessions with the tennis player and his performance team and will be the first to try out a wellness program developed by him and Explora.
From the legendary train cars... to the water
Orient Express is a brand that evokes many things. Especially the legendary luxury train service inaugurated in 1883, famous for connecting Paris with Istanbul. From this year on, it will also evoke maritime images, specifically, from June when it is scheduled to make its inaugural voyage along the French and Italian rivieras, the Orient Express Corinthian. The first thing that catches the eye about this sailboat is its dimensions: 220 meters long, with three imposing masts that support 1,500 square meters of rigid sails.
There is a lot of innovation in this vessel. The masts, for example, are tiltable and rotatable to optimize sailing performance, harnessing the wind with exceptional efficiency and reducing dependence on conventional fuels. The Corinthian accommodates 54 suites, each with a private terrace or large panoramic windows, a gastronomic offering conceived by the multi-starred French chef Yannick Alléno, and a spa by Guerlain.