How A Star Clippers Sailing Is Different From A Standard Cruise
23rd November 2018
If you’re looking for something completely different to your usual cruise holiday then Star Clippers is the perfect choice. Our fleet of three (soon to be four) tall ships can provide a very different experience to that which you would find on board a typical oceangoing ship. As you’ll see below, the difference is obvious in a number of different areas.
The Design Of The Ship
It won’t take you long at all to realise the most notable difference between Star Flyer, Star Clipper, Royal Clipper and the other ships you may have sailed with in the past. There are no tiered decks here, no giant funnels, no large metal hulls and no confusing elevator positions. Instead, the ships try to use wind power as much as possible, hoisting billowing sails in order to catch a lift from the stiff breeze. These are clipper ships, built for speed and able to ‘clip’ across the top of the waves.
All of these features will transport you back to the grand days of sailing, adding a nostalgic edge to your time on board. They celebrate what maritime travel was all about in the early days, whilst still making use of today’s advancements in navigation technology, and ensure there is plenty of character across the decks.
Intimacy On Board
The relatively small size of our ships means that passenger capacity is limited to, at most, 227. Not only does this mean that you won’t have to queue for anything on board or be forced to sit with others at mealtimes, you’ll also get much more care and attention from our well-trained staff. They will get to know you by name, understand your drink preferences and, by the end of the cruise, will be much more than just a passing face in the corridor.
The low number of passengers also means that you’ll be able to make new friends a lot easier. Whether you strike up a conversation during a quiet afternoon in the lounge or discover a common interest during a shore excursion, your fellow guests will soon become part of the experience. If you have an interest in sailing, you’re sure to find likeminded people on board and you’ll be amazed at what else you have in common.
You Can Help Out If You Like
Not that the crew want to put you to work during your well-deserved holiday, but there is a chance to join in with some of the day-to-day operations of the ship. During set times, you can help unfurl the sails, wind the winches or even scrub the teak decks – all of which adds to the feeling of being on board a traditional sailing ship. You can even act as lookout if you like by climbing 65 feet to the top of the crow’s nest (whilst attached to a harness).
Of course, this is by no means mandatory and you can always opt to relax in the library, lounge or in the nets at the front of the ship.
You’ll Visit Smaller Ports
The fact that our ships are modestly-sized means that the itinerary you choose is likely to include some smaller ports that are not overrun with tourists. As well as giving you a more authentic look at the destination, this means that you won’t be jostling with passengers from other ships and the port will not be swamped with day visitors.
Some of the more intimate ports visited on our Caribbean, Mediterranean and South-East Asia cruises include Piran in Slovenia, Canakkale on the western coast of Turkey and Ko Adang in Thailand’s Butang Group of islands. These are all balanced with the larger destinations that everyone wants to see to create a carefully crafted itinerary that offers the best of both worlds.
If you would like to see for yourself how much a Star Clippers cruise differs from the norm, we can help find the perfect first itinerary for you. Call the team on 0845 200 6145 or chat to an advisor through the website.
