The 2026 Greek sailing season marked a turning point for Sail in Greece: all six routes – Ionian, Zante, Rhodes, Mykonos, Harmony, and 18-39s – reached full capacity by mid-summer for the first time in the brand’s history.

From increased demand across the Greek islands to a new vessel joining the fleet, 2026 was a significant year for Sail in Greece. The season also helped shape an expanded 2027 programme, with new cruise options, new destinations and additional gulet experiences planned for travellers looking ahead.

2026 By The Numbers

The 2026 season was one of the busiest in Sail in Greece’s history, with 320 departures scheduled across its cruise programme.

Demand remained particularly strong across the main Greek island routes. Corfu and Zante reached full capacity, while Rhodes, Harmony and 18-39s were newly sold out as demand continued throughout the season.

The strong booking performance reflects the continued interest in small-group sailing holidays around Greece. Rather than simply visiting individual islands, guests can experience multiple destinations during one sailing trip while travelling aboard a traditional-style gulet.

The 2026 season also saw the introduction of Atlantis, a new vessel, adding another option to the Sail in Greece fleet and supporting the company’s growing cruise programme.

Highlights by Route

Ionian Cruise

The Ionian route continued to be an important part of the Sail in Greece programme in 2026, with Corfu among the destinations experiencing particularly strong demand. The combination of turquoise waters, smaller islands and coastal villages makes the Ionian region well suited to a relaxed gulet holiday. Strong bookings contributed to Corfu reaching full capacity during the season.

Zante Cruise

Zante was another route that reached full capacity in 2026, reflecting strong interest in sailing around the Ionian Islands. The route offers travellers the opportunity to explore Zante and surrounding coastal destinations while spending the week aboard a gulet. Its popularity during 2026 also reinforces the importance of booking early for future seasons.

Rhodes Cruise

Rhodes continued to attract travellers looking for a combination of Greek island scenery, swimming spots and historic destinations. During the 2026 season, the Rhodes cruise was newly sold out, adding to the strong demand seen across the Sail in Greece programme. The result demonstrates the growing interest in exploring the Dodecanese islands by sea.

Mykonos Cruise

Mykonos remained one of the most recognisable destinations in the Sail in Greece programme, combining island scenery with its famous atmosphere and nightlife. The cruise offers a different experience from traditional land-based holidays by allowing guests to discover several locations during one sailing itinerary. Strong demand for the 2026 programme contributed to the wider sell-out trend across the company’s routes.

Harmony Cruise

The Harmony cruise was also newly sold out during the 2026 season. Its appeal comes from combining the social experience of a group sailing holiday with time to explore Greek islands and swim in the surrounding waters. The strong response to Harmony is one of the reasons early booking is being encouraged for the 2027 season.

18-39s Cruise

The 18-39s cruise continued to provide a dedicated sailing experience for younger travellers looking for a social Greek island adventure. The route was newly sold out in 2026, showing continued demand for this style of group sailing holiday. With limited departure dates and strong interest, the route remains an important part of the Sail in Greece programme.

What We Improved in 2026

One of the major developments during 2026 was the addition of Atlantis as a new vessel to the Sail in Greece programme.

Adding a new vessel provides additional capacity and gives the company greater flexibility as demand for its cruises continues to grow. It also supports the wider range of sailing experiences available to guests across the different routes.

The 2026 season also demonstrated how quickly popular departures can reach capacity. With Corfu and Zante reaching full capacity and Rhodes, Harmony and 18-39s newly sold out, booking demand became an important consideration for travellers planning future trips.

The experience of the 2026 season has helped shape the company’s approach to the 2027 programme, with new cruise options being introduced alongside established routes.

What’s New for 2027

Sail in Greece is expanding its programme for 2027 with several new options for travellers.

One of the new additions is Entre Cielos, which will be part of the 2027 programme. The introduction of another cruise option gives travellers more choice when selecting their preferred Greek sailing experience.

A new Kos cruise is also planned for 2027. Kos provides access to a different part of the Greek islands and adds another destination to the range of sailing itineraries available through Sail in Greece.

Another new option is a luxury Corfu gulet cruise, giving travellers an additional way to experience the Ionian Islands from the water. The new offering builds on the strong demand seen for Corfu during the 2026 season.

The 2027 programme therefore combines established favourites with new cruise experiences, giving returning and first-time guests more options when planning their Greek sailing holiday.

Early Booking for 2027

The biggest lesson from the 2026 season is that popular Greek gulet cruises can reach capacity well before the season ends. With 320 departures across the programme and several routes already reaching full capacity or selling out during 2026, travellers planning for 2027 should consider their preferred route and departure dates early.

The introduction of Entre Cielos, the new Kos cruise and the luxury Corfu gulet cruise also means that 2027 offers new options alongside the established Sail in Greece routes.

If you are planning a Greek island sailing holiday for 2027, explore the Greek Island Hopping 2027 guide to learn more about the routes, planning considerations and available cruise experiences.

Start planning your 2027 Greek gulet adventure early and find the sailing experience that suits you best.