5 Places To Relax On Board A Star Clippers Ship

16th November 2018

A sailing with Star Clippers is as relaxing as it is exciting. Between exploring exotic sands in faraway destinations, you can unwind on the decks of a ship where everyone is made to feel at home. Along with the spacious staterooms, the public areas are comfortable, welcoming and give a warm nod to the nostalgic times of sailing in years gone by. So, if you want to venture out from your stateroom, form new friendships with fellow cruisers that will last a lifetime, or simply make yourself at home, here are some perfect places to relax.

Tropical Bar

The Tropical Bar is often the first place people go when they climb on board to get the party started. However, it can also be a place for relaxation and enjoying a quiet afternoon drink. The bar staff are always able to rustle up your favourite cocktail and, by the end of your holiday, the chances are they will know what you want without you having to order it. If your idea of relaxing is letting your hair down with a bit of dancing as the sun goes down, this may just turn out to be your favourite spot on the ship.

Observation Lounge

Besides the Crow’s Nest, the views from the Observation Lounge are the best you’ll find on board. And the fact that you can enjoy them whatever the weather means that this is usually a popular place to unwind. Guests tend to gather here during sea days, so it’s easy to join some company for likeminded conversation or simply find a quiet spot to gaze out across the sea.

Bowsprit Nets

There aren’t many ships that offer the chance to feel the spray of the ocean while the ship is in full sail, but that’s exactly what you can do whilst relaxing in the bowsprit nets of Royal Clipper, Star Clipper and Star Flyer. Lounge at the bow of the ship with the wind in your hair whilst looking out for dolphins and other marine creatures. As we’ve said in previous blog posts, it’s one of the memorable experiences of a Star Clippers cruise.

Edwardian Library

On any ship, the library is one of the most peaceful and relaxing places to spend some time during a sea day, but this is even more the case when you sail on our tall ship cruises. With plush red chairs and inviting sofas, this area beckons you to lose yourself in a good book or brush up on the grand old days of sailing. The Edwardian library on board Royal Clipper is especially sumptuous, offering large leather seats and a classic fireplace as its centrepiece.

Piano Bar

If you prefer listening to the tinkling of ivories over dancing ‘til dawn, the Piano Bar is likely to be where you find yourself in the evenings. As well as the resident pianist, who knows exactly how to set the right mood, local performers often come on board to put on a show for the guests. There’s plenty of seating for everyone and the position on the main deck means you can look down through the atrium at the decks below. This is the ideal place for a pre or post-dinner drink with new-found friends.

If you would like to discover any of these public areas for yourself, we can help you plan your Star Clippers cruise. We have itineraries sailing in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Panama Canal and South-East Asia.

Why A Panama Cruise Is About More Than Just The Canal

28th September 2018

Connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, there is no doubt that the Panama Canal can bring awe-inspiring moments to anybody who travels along it. However, besides the canal, there is a plethora of other unforgettable moments for guests to enjoy around the towns and cities of Central America. Discovering bustling markets and golden beaches are just a few of the things that make this iconic destinations so appealing. Small archipelagos pave the way for the picture-perfect scenery that can be coupled with the ample temperature of around 26°c in the winter months.

Towns and Cities

Amongst the spectacular views, there is an array of destinations that you can visit whilst on your cruise. Depending on where you start, you will get the chance to experience the canal zone of Balboa in Panama City, with a perfect opportunity to learn about the canal’s construction. Places such as San Blas Islands and Tortola bring forth the sandy white beaches, while Cartagena and Oranjestad allow for more of a diverse culture and stunning wildlife. So whichever port of call you’re at, you will have the chance to meet with locals and learn about the surrounding areas of Central America.

Cuisine

Panama is not known for its culinary delights, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any delicious signature dishes to sample. Staple meals like Sancocho are packed full of meat and assorted vegetables, while subtle desserts such as Tres Leches Cake combine cream and three types of dairy ingredients on top of a fluffy base. Other notable meals include deep-fried corn tortillas heaped with eggs and other delights and corn pastries filled with potatoes, meat and cheese.

Historical Sights

While you are relaxing on your cruise, there will be plenty of chance to explore each port of call. With every destination having its own iconic monument, there will be a number of shore excursions to deepen your knowledge of the local area. The old town of Willemstad is a must-see destination and can provide bustling city walks along its winding streets, with subtle restaurants welcoming customers in with stunning riverside views. The island of Aruba also brings rich heritage in the form of the Bushiribana Ruins that not only provide picture-perfect sea views, but also give an insight into the once-thriving 19th-century gold mill.

These are just some of the highlights that you can enjoy on a Panama Canal cruise with Star Clippers. The smaller size of each ship allows for a more intimate experience and we can reach the iconic city centres. For more information or to make a booking, contact our friendly sales team via the freephone number above or chat to an advisor online.

Tantalise your taste buds in the Mediterranean

24th August 2018

For many holiday makers embarking on a cruise, food is placed at the forefront of their interests and the opportunity to try new cuisines is one that is highly relished. Fortunately, for those embarking on a traditional tall ship sailing with Star Clippers, there will be a unique chance to try a diverse range of dishes that reflect the region in which you are sailing and enhance your overall experience.

And when it comes to vibrant dishes and fresh ingredients, there are few better regions to visit than the Mediterranean. On selected sailings within this region in 2018 and 2019, you will have an opportunity to better familiarise yourself with this region by tasting some of the flavoursome dishes that are available. This week, we take a look at a couple of the dishes you will be able to try on board selected Mediterranean sailings with Star Clippers.

Greek Meze

On sailings to the Greek Cyclades islands, there is no better way to sample some of the region’s impressive range of fresh ingredients than with a meze platter. The word ‘meze’ loosely translates as a series of small dishes and will often feature savoury meats, fish, vegetables, feta cheese sprinkled with oregano, fried meatballs, local sausages, Greek beans in a tomato sauce and a combination of rice, meat and pine nuts wrapped in vine leaves. These components are then served with an assortment of dips which usually comprises of taramasalata, grilled aubergine and refreshing yoghurt.

Arancini

Translated, the name ‘arancini’ means ‘little orange’, which would be an accurate description of the outer colour but not of the contents that lie within. This dish originates from the Italian island of Sicily, which is widely regarded for taking Italian cuisine to a whole new level. Coated on bread crumbs and deep fried, these delicious little balls comprise of rice, a ragu consisting of meat and tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. After the cooking process, they appear in a distinctively orange/golden colour and are a popular favourite with visitors to the markets of Messina.

These are just two of the many dishes you can sample during your travels through the Mediterranean with Star Clippers. The smaller size of the fleet's ships provides an opportunity to visit a range of destinations that are generally considered to be inaccessible to larger vessels. From charming and historical towns to untouched island paradises, a cruise with Star Clippers is a journey to behold.

For more information or to make a booking, contact our friendly sales team via the freephone number above or chat to an advisor online.

Experience the Slovenian coastal city of Piran

16th August 2018

The hourglass is running out for this year’s summer season, but there is still time to book yourself on one of the many sailings still available with Star Clippers. And, if you only have time for a short escape, this three-night break in the Eastern Mediterranean may be the perfect tonic.

Departing out of the iconic city of Venice, you will have an opportunity to explore destinations in Croatia and Slovenia before returning to Italy. Sailing aboard the traditionally-fitted Star Flyer, passengers will get to explore former nations of the Yugoslav Republic as well as the spectacular city of Venice. Arriving into the city prior to and after your cruise, you can admire the myriad of architectural styles as well take a moment to relax on one of the many romantic canals.

However, the Star Clippers vessels are known particularly for their smaller size and their ability to dock in smaller ports around the world. With that, perhaps one of the more surprising additions to this itinerary is the Slovenian city of Piran. This hidden gem sits between the cities of Venice and Dubrovnik towards the northernmost tip of the Adriatic Sea and is home to one of the best-preserved historical old towns in the region.

Filled with stunning Venetian Gothic architecture, winding alleyways and intriguing city walls, the city rewards visitors with beautiful sunsets and romantic landscapes. This city was historically owned by Venice and the evidence remains clear to this day. During your visit to Piran, there are a number of impressive sights and landmarks worth visiting that will make your cruise experience all the more special.

One of these is the Tartinijev trg (otherwise known as Tartini Square) – a beautiful oval-shaped square which features a statue in the centre of the famous violinist, Giuseppe Tartini. It sits beside the glistening marina, which is often filled with yachts and makes for a pleasant stroll in which to soak up your surroundings.

Upon this square sits the Venetian House, which is a fantastic example of gothic Venetian architecture. Built by a wealthy Venetian merchant, he had set about his on his intention to impress his mistress. An inscription can be found on the upper windows sayings “Lassa pur dir”, which translates to “let them talk”.

Although Slovenia’s coast is not particularly large in size, Piran is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the region. Its Venetian influence that dates back to the 13th century is still noticeable throughout the city to this day and it is the perfect destination to visit on a short break.

For more information about the full range of sailings available with Star Clippers throughout 2018 and 2019, contact our friendly sales team via the freephone number above or chat to an advisor online.