Host to 7,600 passengers, the largest mega cruise ship in the world is like a floating village. However, as cruise ships continue to grow larger, boutique Star Clippers sailing ships gain a loyal following.
A Star Clippers cruise is all about the sailing experience. It’s about watching the sails unfurl as they catch the slightest breeze. It’s about feeling the wind in your face when all the sails are up and the ship blithely clips through the water like the sleek dolphins that often follow along.
What is a clipper ship?
With its sails fully hoisted and billowing in the wind, a clipper ship evokes the romance of a bygone era. Most clipper ships were built in the mid-19th century in the United States and Britain. They were designed to be long, narrow and light with an abundance of sails. Their primary purpose was to deliver goods quickly and efficiently across vast oceans.
Whether it was transporting opium from India, tea from China or trade goods to the California gold rush, clipper ships played a crucial role in the global economy of that time. Their impact was large, but their heyday was short. By the 1870s, steamships began taking over the long-distance transport of goods, and soon, clipper ships went the way of the dodo.
Today, only two original clipper ships survive. The Cutty Sark is a National Historic Ship now on display in Greenwich, London. The remains of the clipper ship City of Adelaide can be visited in Adelaide, Australia.
A modern clipper ship returns
Though original clipper ships no longer sail the oceans blue, modern versions have returned, thanks to yachtsman Mikael Krafft. A Swedish entrepreneur and avid sailor, Krafft had a passionate dream. He wanted to recreate the romance of sailing on a tall ship, but with all the modern comforts. And so, the Star Clippers cruise line was born.
In 1991, the Star Flyer set sail from the boat yard in Ghent, Belgium. In 1992, her sister ship, Star Clipper, followed suit. Building upon this success, Krafft built the Royal Clipper in 2000, the largest five-masted fully rigged sailing vessel in the world.
From the outside, these vessels have the classic, elegant lines of the traditional clipper ships built in the 19th century. But once on board, it quickly becomes clear that they have all the modern amenities today’s adventurers require.
Inside a modern clipper ship
Built to carry passengers rather than goods, the Star Clipper and her sister ships are designed with guests’ comfort at the forefront. The Star Clipper and the Star Flyer can accommodate up to 166 passengers and 74 crew members. The large Royal Clipper is the 227-passenger flagship of the fleet.
The ships’ interiors are outfitted with traditional maritime decor. Think lots of burnished teak, navy, gold and shiny brass accents. Cabins may not be large, as it’s a sailing ship after all, but they are comfortable and well-appointed.
In addition to a queen-sized bed, cabins feature plenty of closet space, a mirrored dressing table with a hairdryer, the all-important outlets for charging electronics and air conditioning. The en-suite marble bathroom is just big enough for one person to do all they need to do.
In the public spaces, the surprise is the two outdoor pools surrounded by sun loungers. For sailing in warm climates, the ships also offer water toys, including paddleboards, snorkeling gear, kayaks and water skis.
To quench thirsts, the indoor and outdoor bars serve a wide range of drinks at very reasonable prices. The dining room is large enough to seat all guests at once for each meal. Food choices are plentiful and cater to a broad range of tastes.
Along with the outdoor spaces, an indoor lounge offers comfortable seating where guests can listen to the pianist on the baby grand. For the literary minded, a cozy library offers books in multiple languages.
The Star Clippers cruising experience
As is common with small-ship cruises, these vessels are intimate and promote socializing. Solo travelers need not worry about being wallflowers. The attentive staff quickly learn guests’ names and makes them feel welcome. And with so few guests, it is easy to form new friendships.
The cruise line attracts worldly clientele who appreciate the easy-going, informal atmosphere. Catering to an international mix, announcements are in French, German and English. Not surprisingly, the international crew is also multilingual.
The ships are not for guests with mobility issues. There are four decks accessible only by stairs, with no elevators. Entry doors often have high lips that need to be stepped over. Getting on and off the ship, whether it’s onto a stationary dock or a bobbing tender boat, is via a set of metal stairs attached to the side of the vessel.
Cruising where the big ships can’t go
As many as 70% of Star Clippers cruisers are returning guests. When asked why they keep coming back on a Star Clippers cruise, guests consistently cite the intimate setting and the unique itineraries. With their smaller size, these clipper ships can go into ports that may not have the docking facilities for a big ship, or ports that can’t, or don’t want to, handle the large crowds that get off a mega cruise liner.
The three Star Clippers ships sail primarily in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Central America. In the Mediterranean, itineraries include off-the-beaten-path Greek islands like Amorgos and Sifnos with their traditional villages and unspoiled beaches. Western Mediterranean cruises include uncommon ports like Calvi, Corsica or Lipari in Italy’s Aeolian Islands.
The Caribbean itineraries feature frequent beach stops at secluded island locations, offering plenty of time in the sun and surf away from the crowds. In Central America, port stops make it easy to experience the natural beauty along Costa Rica’s and Panama’s coastlines.
A true sailing experience
For those who love to sail, or are just sailors at heart, a Star Clippers cruise offers an easy, authentic tall ship experience. The ships cruise under sail as much as they can, using the engines for backup propulsion only as needed.
As an alternative to large cruise ships, the Star Clippers ships offer an ideal mix of unique itineraries combined with a yacht-like sailing experience. There is no extra charge for the romance.
Rose Palmer is a retired Ph.D. chemist and a multiple award-winning travel writer, photographer and podcaster who has been recognized with two Lowell Thomas journalism awards. She has traveled to more than 60 countries and shares her personal travel stories at Quiltripping because she believes that “life is a patchwork of experiences.” Her content is regularly featured in numerous U.S. news outlets, including the Seattle Times, the Miami Herald, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, MSN and others.
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