Taking to the open seas for a luxury cruise aboard a ship in full sail might seem like the stuff of dreams, but since 1991 Star Clippers has been making that dream a reality. Its fleet of three sailing clippers — the largest of which is 134 metres long, with five masts and 42 sails — offers passengers all the romance of the golden age of sail coupled with all the luxury of the modern age, says the company.
Whether it’s a few nights visiting the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, or something a little more adventurous like a few weeks around Costa Rica, then Star Clippers is likely to have an itinerary for you.
Unlike large cruise liners, these much smaller vessels can call into smaller ports and coastal coves, giving a more intimate sailing experience. The largest vessel, Royal Clipper, carries 227 passengers, while the smaller Star Flyer and Star Clipper have just 166 passengers each, creating a relaxed atmosphere onboard.
There are several different cabin sizes to choose from, with double and triple-berth cabins available. Each cabin has a private bathroom and everything you might need for a relaxing luxury cruise. On deck, you’ll find swimming pools and bars, while below deck, there are piano bars and informal dining rooms.
While there are plenty of crew to sail the ship and keep things moving, there is an open bridge policy, so guests can — as long as there are no tricky manoeuvres in progress — get up close and personal with the everyday workings of the ship.
Fancy helping to raise the sails? The crew are happy to hand you the rope, while overseeing your technique, of course. Weather permitting, there is also an opportunity to climb the rigging up to the crow’s nest.
All of the vessels have an onboard library for those seeking a little peaceful downtime of a literary nature, while those looking to make the most of the waters around them, there is plenty of water sports equipment available for use while the ships are at anchor. Massage therapies and beauty treatments are available, too, making for a luxurious experience that has something for everyone.
There are regular themed cruises available across all three ships, with guest experts there to speak on topics such as architecture and gastronomy, or more hands-on tuition around yoga and meditation.
Star Clippers says it aims to make its sailings as sustainable as possible, trying to ensure that as much time as possible is spent under wind and sail power. Not only does this enhance the experience for the passenger, but it reduces emissions from the vessels. Auxiliary engines are still required, of course, to provide electricity to the ship, but these use only high-quality, low-sulphur gas oil, which minimises the output as much as possible.
The environmental efforts don’t stop there — there is a strict waste-management policy onboard which ensures that voyages create as little waste as possible, recycle as much of what is produced as is feasible, and dispose of what’s left correctly and safely. Only eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning products are used onboard, and the use of single-use plastics is constantly under review to keep that to a minimum.
If you like the idea of ocean life but the gargantuan cruise liners are a little intimidating, then Star Clippers
could be the way forward, where it promises that the crew work hard to make a luxury cruise feel like your own private yacht.
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