Five essential things to know before you board a Star Clippers cruise ship
Star Clippers’ handsome tall ships bring history back to life
As the sails unfurl to the stirring sound of Vangelis’ Sail Away (1492: Conquest of Paradise), you know you’re beginning an adventure, rather than just a cruise.
Star Clippers’ three handsome tall ships bring history back to life with canvas, capstans and cleats – a world away from the large resort-style ships carrying thousands of passengers.
The line, founded in 1989 by a Swedish entrepreneur, began with two identical four-masted barquentines, Star Flyer in 1991 and Star Clipper a year later, both carrying 166 passengers. They were joined in 2000 by Royal Clipper, carrying 227 guests.
Life on board offers the chance to climb a rope ladder to the crow’s nest, sit on the bowsprit rigging at the front of the ship and learn how to tie knots or navigate by the stars. You don’t have to be on honeymoon to enjoy the romance of tall-ship sailing. Watching the setting sun light up the sails, seeing moonshine twinkling on the water, or admiring the view over the bow are all special moments you can share with a friend or loved one.
Life on board offers the chance to sit on the bowsprit rigging at the front of the ship
Entertainment includes evening piano accompaniment in the bar and a weekly staff talent night. All three ships have teak decks, pools, informal dining, an al fresco bar and a piano bar inside. On warm nights, guests can even sleep on deck.
One concession to the 21st century is Starlink internet connection, so you can share the joy with friends and family. A week’s cruise starts at around £1,800pp.
1. Where does Star Clippers sail?
Star Clippers ships seek out the sun, sailing in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and around Central America, as well as through the Suez and Panama canals. It also offers transatlantic crossings.
Due to their size, the three square riggers can reach smaller bays, harbours and ports that larger ships cannot. They are also among the few cruise ships still allowed to sail from Venice following the ban on mega vessels. Other main embarkation points in Europe include Cannes and Nice on the French Riviera, Malaga in Spain, Civitavecchia for Rome, and Piraeus for Athens.
Routes in the eastern Mediterranean include Croatia and the Greek archipelagos of the Cyclades and Sporades, where there’s a chance to visit islands made famous by the Mamma Mia films. Western Mediterranean itineraries include Corsica and Las Palmas, plus some Grand Prix-themed cruises.
In the Caribbean, passengers can join Star Clippers ships at St John’s, Antigua
In common with many cruise lines, excursions in Europe tend to be culturally led, while those in the Caribbean are more adventurous. In the Mediterranean, passengers opt for wine tasting, museum visits, art and history tours and canal cruises.
In the Caribbean, passengers can join Star Clippers ships at Bridgetown, Barbados; St George’s, Grenada; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; Balboa, Panama; Montego Bay, Jamaica; St John’s, Antigua; and Philipsburg, St Maarten.
Sailing under canvas is a beautiful way to explore the smaller islands such as St Barts, Jost van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and Guadeloupe (the setting for the TV series Death In Paradise). Shore excursions in the Caribbean might include kayaking, snorkelling with rays, rainforest canopy tours, river tubing, waterfall hikes, 4x4 drives, zip lining, safaris, nature trails and submarine trips.
Wherever passengers are in the world, once on every cruise, weather permitting, they are taken off in tender boats to get pictures of their ship in full sail with the crew lined up along the decks and masts.
2. Who does Star Clippers appeal to?
Many people who come to Star Clippers are yachties who enjoy the fun of sailing without the hard work. Instead, they relish the chance to visit the captain on the open bridge, help raise the sails, and nod knowledgeably while inspecting knots. Lovers of water sports will enjoy the marina platform on Royal Clipper that can be lowered, weather permitting, when the ship is at anchor.
The average age of passengers across the fleet is 58 – allowing for a few younger honeymooners. Around 40 per cent of travellers have sailed with the line before, and of those taking their first Star Clippers voyage, many are new to cruising.
Each sailing has around 10 to 15 nationalities on board, with most from the US, the UK and Germany. Some come along for themed sailings with yoga instructors, health and wellness experts or specialist chefs.
Themed sailings have yoga instructors and health and wellness experts
Normally, only a small proportion of guests are under 18. However, on some 2025 summer sailings, a child sharing with two adults travels free of charge in a scheme to involve them in the workings of a tall ship while teaching skills in teamwork, leadership, water safety, communication and resilience.
3. The fleet
Royal Clipper (227 passengers)
The Dutch-built Royal Clipper was inspired by the record-breaking tall ship, Preussen, which sadly met its end on rocks near Dover in 1910. She has five masts, 42 sails and three pools, including one with a glass floor that filters light through a three-level atrium to the dining room.
The dining room aboard Royal Clipper
As well as its water-sports platform, it is the only ship in the fleet with a spa, the Captain Nemo Lounge, where treatment rooms feature underwater portholes. There’s also a steam room and a small gym. Accommodation includes two owner’s suites, 14 balcony suites, two deck cabins, 90 outside doubles and six inside cabins, all with en suite bathrooms – the most luxurious rooms even have whirlpool baths.
Sails to
Western Mediterranean in the summer and the Caribbean (from Barbados) in the winter
Star Clipper and Star Flyer (166 passengers)
The twin four-masted barquentines were the first sailing clippers to be built since 1910. Constructed in Belgium to recreate the 19th-century style of fast ships epitomised by the Cutty Sark, each vessel has sunbathing space on teak decks, two plunge pools, a massage room and watersports and snorkel equipment.
Mahogany rails, polished brass and maritime paintings add to the atmosphere, while the Edwardian-style library features a Belle Epoque fireplace. Cabins tend to be compact, with portholes just above the water line, and there are no balcony cabins.
With the huge sails billowing in the wind, you have some idea of how sailors of old felt as they set on their voyages of exploration. Diesel engines complement the wind power.
Sails to
Mediterranean, Caribbean sailings, Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Transatlantic crossings.
Sunset cocktails are a highlight of any Star Clippers sailing
4. Access for guests with disabilities
By their nature, Star Clippers vessels are not fully accessible and do not offer adapted cabins. Because they are designed to replicate the 1920s Grand Age of Sail, there are no lifts on board and guests disembark using multiple steps. Ropes, pulleys and other hazards mean care must be taken when walking around the deck. Going ashore is often by tender boat or a zodiac landing on a deserted beach.
5. Loyalty scheme
Repeat passengers receive a 5 per cent discount off the full brochure fare, combinable with early booking discounts of between 10 and 20 per cent.
Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles - and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.
