Tantalise Your Sense of Discovery at Sea!
Roger Condon is the Sales & Marketing Manager (Aus/NZ) for Star Clippers. He has been in the cruise industry for over 30 years, including spending 14 years as Travel Concierge Manager organising all the guests’ arrangements ashore. Here is Rogers own experience of the Star Clipper Fleet.
Looking for a twist on your next cruise holiday? Something that will tantalise your sense of discovery at sea? Then Star Clippers should definitely be on the top of your holiday menu. Offering destination immersion and many of the creature comforts of conventional ships, Star Clippers is a fleet of extraordinary, unique and authentic Clipper Ships sailing some the world’s best destinations in the comfort of a private yacht.
At first glance, I wasn’t quite sure whether Star Clippers was my cup of tea. Was it going to be rustic, was I expected to work on my holiday? My experience though was the opposite. Sailing the Mediterranean with Star Clippers was an exceptional, unique experience, with all the comforts I’d expect from any cruise, with the incomparable bonus of being under sail on a genuine tall ship.
The Mediterranean was the perfect destination and being on a ship with only 200 or so other like-minded travellers was one of the key elements that made it so special – with a comradery I’ve not found on other ships. The smaller size of our ship meant we were able to visit the smaller, lesser-visited ports, and I don’t recall ever having to line up for anything.
During our seven days, we were in port every day, exploring Corsica, Sardinia, Elba and the Riviera. We could either do as we pleased, or enjoy one of the ships organised tours. On board during the day, there was all manner of nautical activities, or you could simply relax on the beautiful teak decks that stretch from bow to stern. And yes, at times you were invited to assist with rigging for the obligatory photo op, or even climb up to the crow’s nest. At night there’s light entertainment and, but it’s more about stimulating conversation at the Tropical Bar with your fellow travellers.
In discovering Star Clippers, my only challenge now is deciding on which ship and to where I will return with Star Clippers.
Showcasing the fleet is the Royal Clipper, the largest square-rigger in the world today, a splendid sight to behold harking back to the grand age of sail, where guests on board balance grandeur, adventure and tradition seamlessly. Then there are the two sister ships, Star Clipper and Star Flyer. The ships use a combination of motor and sail, and guests onboard enjoy expansive open decks to indulge in warm weather and tropical cruising.
Of course, for many of us, our holiday destination(s) is at times even more important than how we get there, and Star Clippers’ itineraries are destination focused with many itineraries offering every day in a different port. In the Mediterranean cruises span the entire Middle Sea including the Adriatic, Croatia, Montenegro, Venice, Greece, Italy and France. Closer to home, Star Clippers offer year-round tropical discoveries encompassing tropical Thailand, Malaysia and the fascinating, rarely visited islands of the Indonesia archipelago, and new for 2019, journey to wild Borneo. Or perhaps feel like Jack Sparrow aboard Star Clippers in the quintessential Caribbean including the Panama Canal.
In early 2019 Star Clippers will welcome their first new ship in many years, the magnificent Flying Clipper. Flying Clipper’s launch will indeed be something special, as she will be the largest square rigger ever built accommodating only 300 guests. This grand lady will be the new flagship of the fleet and include all the features that Star Clippers’ guests love. Flying Clipper will begin in the Mediterranean in the European Spring and details will be available shortly.
