Star Clippers
Unique Sailing Adventures
For more than 30 years, Star Clippers has introduced travelers to the thrill of authentic tall ship sailing in many of the world’s most spectacular destinations by offering creative itineraries and breathtaking unique ports throughout the Caribbean, Central America (Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua), and Mediterranean. The fleet consists of the majestic twin clipper ships, Star Clipper and Star Flyer (166 guests each), plus the incredible Royal Clippers (227 guests).
Insider Tip
Star Clippers' itineraries are created with wind-charts, allowing us to move by the power of wind 70-90% of the time; we have been awarded the world's GREENEST cruise line for many years.Virtuoso Preferred Supplier Since 21 Jan 2002
Ships
The Royal Clipper is the largest sailing cruise ship in the world, with five masts that soar 190 ft high, supporting 42 sails carrying the ship to a speed of 17 knots. With a ratio of one crew member for every two guests, the Royal Clipper offers the epitome of pampered service. On this ship, adventure is written on the wind.
Star Clipper and Star Flyer are modern cruise ships, created for luxury-loving guests who also love the traditions and romance of the legendary era of authentic sailing ships. Star Clipper and Star Flyer are both 360 feet long and carry just 170 guests in pampered comfort. Life aboard is blissfully relaxed, much like traveling on a private yacht.
Star Clipper and Star Flyer are modern cruise ships, created for luxury-loving guests who also love the traditions and romance of the legendary era of authentic sailing ships. Star Clipper and Star Flyer are both 360 feet long and carry just 170 guests in pampered comfort. Life aboard is blissfully relaxed, much like traveling on a private yacht.
Reviews and Recommendations
Ship
100%
of 23 guests
recommend
recommend
Virtuoso Traveler Reviewed
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Recommended
Wonderful sailing experience
By: Leslie555
Reviewed on: 14 Oct 2016
I sailed on the Royal Clipper on a back to back Istanbul-Athens-Istanbul cruise. It lived up to my expectations. I met some wonderful people and enjoyed great conversations during meals. The dining room staff with Anita at the helm was great at remembering your preferences for coffee/tea and toast in the morning. My cabin steward was so accommodating and greeted me by name every morning with a big smile. Small ship cruising allows you to go to smaller islands which I liked. The excursions I choose were led by knowledgeable guides and helped make these ancient sites come to life. I hope to sail again with Star Clippers hopefully on the smaller ship-Star Flyer.
Travel Advisor:
Michelle Andersen
Recommended
sailing
By: traveler
Reviewed on: 15 Jan 2018
very good food reasonable wine pricing and the Staff is over the top with service, super friendly
Travel Advisor:
Sue Pechtel
Recommended
Star Clippers
By: Al
Reviewed on: 01 Mar 2019
Excellent. The food, crew and ports of call in the Grenadines were perfect.
Travel Advisor:
Lisa Renae Torgerson
Recommended
It's All About the Ship
By: rabbibjk
Reviewed on: 24 Mar 2019
The reason to travel on this ship is the magnificence of the sails. Incredibly impressive to see the 42 sails go up with impressive musical accompaniment.
This is not a luxurious vessel. Charges for every drink and wifi. The rooms are small and dark- no balconies, only portholes. Food is okay; breakfast and lunch are buffet style so be prepared to stand in line.
I was taken aback by the quality of the amenities in the bathroom. I noticed that there was no hair conditioner and asked the front desk to provide someone (which happens often at hotels.) I was shocked when they told me they had none, and had to tear off the ship just before departure to buy some.
Be aware that although this is the Caribbean, there IS a dress code- men must wear long pants and no sandals at dinner. Fortunately my husband had thrown a pair of slacks into the suitcase at the last minute.
The ship rocks and rolls A LOT, yet we were never seasick. It did take a week to get over the sea legs though.
Travel Advisor:
Judi Glass
Recommended
Awesome
By: Clwj
Reviewed on: 12 Apr 2019
This was one of our favorite trips! We don’t like the big cruise ship scene so this was perfect. It’s all about the ship on this cruise! Nothing fancy! No dressing up for dinner. Not even allowed high heels on the boat ! The staff was awesome! Truly can’t say enough about Nimo our cruise director ...Emerson our bartender and wine steward...Sherwin who looked after our room. We would most definitely do this ship again! So layed back and relaxed! Exactly what we wanted! The show every night of putting up the sails...can’t be beat!
Travel Advisor:
Samuel Spencer
Recommended
Royal Clipper review
By: Glenn
Reviewed on: 26 Apr 2019
Kathy's planning was considerate of the traveler and realized when her forward planning would aid your travel pleasure. forward planning often reduces travel stress, which can reduce enjoyment.
Recommended
Victoria Clipper round trip to Seattle
By: Grandma Betty Kay
Reviewed on: 17 Apr 2019
The trip was calm, the boat was full. We chose the upgraded seats which allow you to board the ship first. A lot of snacks and drinks are provided with the trip. There are people taking your order for other food if you wish.
Recommended
Tall Ship Sailing
By: SandyBeach
Reviewed on: 24 Apr 2019
This was a wonderful experience! Seeing the sails set the first night was quite a sight complete with music and lighting. The ship is always in motion so take your seasick medication if you are prone to motion sickness so that you can fully enjoy the experience you signed up for. The crew was helpful and friendly. The food was delicious and plentiful. I especially enjoyed story time with Captain Sergey. This is a once or maybe twice in a lifetime experience!
Recommended
Royal Clipper
By: Mo
Reviewed on: 30 Oct 2019
The Royal Clipper Cruise was an incredible sailboat experience. Words can’t really describe how much I enjoyed sailing on the Royal Clipper. The staff was incredible... They kept the cabins clean and the service during all meals and throughout the day was awesome. When we stopped at each port, the Royal Clipper offered different excursions so we could experience each place we stopped. I would definitely recommend this cruise to travelers who enjoyed getting out and seeing different sights. It is especially great for people who don’t mind walking a lot and climbing stairs. 😜
Recommended
Royal Clipper
By: Stookey
Reviewed on: 21 Sep 2019
Great trip. Would have liked ship water toys more available
Recommended
AMALFI COAST
By: barnes37
Reviewed on: 05 Nov 2019
A wonderful change compared to a large cruise ship. We got into smaller ports and loved the marine deck.
Recommended
Ultimate experience!
By: jeniferjmeyer
Reviewed on: 18 Jan 2020
Totally enjoyment from the ship, staff, food, cabin, and the the experience to sail! Our second trip and best yet!
Travel Advisor:
Clare Isquith
Recommended
A real sailing experience in grand style
By: A Traveling Man
Reviewed on: 04 Jul 2021
What a great time on a world class four masted clipper ship that traveled from Rome to Venice, 13 days. This is sailing as meant to be. It was an older yet very capable of getting around with no elevators aboard. The cabins are in mahogany and brass, comfortable, bathrooms are well set out, though both petite. The dining was lovely, generous portions of continently food, waiter linen service, being seated with others from many different countries. All spoke English though for many it was a second language. The voyage was relaxing, able to read and talk with less then a few hundred souls on board. The ports were places big ships could not anchor so were less touristy. The captain very accessible. The crew top notch. One can climb the rigging. Night entertainment by staff, passengers or locals brought on board from the port. We enjoyed so very much that we are to set sail again next year.
Travel Advisor:
Iris Malik Ferrelli
Recommended
Dream come true - Awesome sailing cruise
By: Holly
Reviewed on: 15 Oct 2021
The ship is awesome both inside and out, especially when sailing. Everything looked like new. It had a 2 story open dining area with plush seating. Food was delicious with a self serve Buffet breakfast and lunch using disposable gloves. Supper was selected from a menu. Staff could not have been better so full of smiles and good humor. Felt safe as everyone was vaccinated, got a PCR test 3 days prior, then an antigen test just before boarding. Masks were required inside the ship. Air purifiers were in all of the common spaces. After returning from a day on shore either with a tour or on your own, everyone had a temperature check and hand sanitizer. This was only the second sailing that was resumed since Covid. Shore excursions were limited to one choice. The only negative was that we felt the communication about Covid cruise requirements prior to boarding, on board and shore activities and tender pick up location in the first shore excursion could have been better. Loved it!
Travel Advisor:
Dianne Titlestad
Recommended
The real deal
By: Katy
Reviewed on: 23 Oct 2022
This was my second cruise on the Royal Clipper and it won’t be the last. I am infatuated with that ship. When the sails go up there is nothing on the big ships that comes close.
Travel Advisor:
Mary Hanigan
Recommended
Royal Clipper Panama Canal
By: GJ
Reviewed on: 20 Dec 2022
Great ship, great crew, great food. The ship is starting to show it's age a bit.
Travel Advisor:
Kylan Falk
Recommended
A gorgeous trip on a gorgeous ship.
By: jkopeck
Reviewed on: 05 Aug 2024
Our trip was truly fantastic! First, the ship itself is simply stunning. It's hard to put into words how it feels to be on the upper deck when the Royal Clipper is under full sail...pure magic. The crew did an incredible job of making sure every guest felt welcomed and cared for on a very personal level. While there, it was my husband's 65th birthday and the chef and dining staff went as far as to bake him a special cake and to serenade him with a special version of Happy Birthday. Since we've been home we've been trying to wrap our heads around all the wonderful experiences we had. The best way we have been able to describe it is that it was a perfect way to sample places we might never have made it to, but where we are now anxious to return! Highly, highly recommended.
Travel Advisor:
Patricia Stone
Recommended
Sailing
By: Traveler 49
Reviewed on: 13 Nov 2024
This was my third trip on the Royal Clipper, fifth overall with Star Clipper. Experience was everything I expected. Food was terrific and service exceptional.
Travel Advisor:
Denise Bina
Recommended
Sailing cruise
By: Steve
Reviewed on: 16 Feb 2025
We had a great time! Being on such an awesome ship was fantastic. The crew was great and the shore excursions were all very enjoyable and interesting. The setting of the sails with the Vangellis music being played was awe inspiring!
Travel Advisor:
Amy Vogel
Recommended
Landho
By: land
Reviewed on: 22 Feb 2025
My wife loved being under sail, it fulfilled a "bucket list" item for me!!!
Travel Advisor:
Shawna Copeland
Recommended
Sail Away
By: S&J
Reviewed on: 20 Sep 2025
The ship is gorgeous! The crew was wonderful. The cabin was spectacular
Travel Advisor:
Patty Perry
Recommended
Sailing fun
By: CD
Reviewed on: 13 Feb 2026
I really enjoyed the ship, it was fun to watch the Captain & crew put up the sails and actually sail into port at sunrise, or out of port during sunset and nothing like other cruise ships I’ve been on.
Travel Advisor:
Jeremy Hall
Recommended
Outstanding
By: DK
Reviewed on: 13 Feb 2026
A trip on Royal Clipper is the experience of a lifetime. Think Orient Express at sea.
Wifi should be free. And so should wine with dinner. Star Clippers need to learn from other lines.
Travel Advisor:
Jeremy Hall
Sustainability
Our Commitment
Star Clippers’ major source of energy — wind propulsion— is both abundant and emission free. Operating the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels, Star Clippers always try to maximize the amount of time they are under wind power. Not only so the guests can experience a true tall ship sailing experience, but also because this also reduces the amount of fuel consumed. A cruise under sail is much easier on the environment.
In the Caribbean during the winter months, where the wind is most predictable, the ships operate under wind power up to 90% of the time, thus minimizing use of auxiliary engines which also power the air-conditioning and provide electricity.
Sailing versus a motor cruising means substantially lower fuel consumption and emissions. Using a figure of 60% average power coming from wind energy saves 1,839 gallons per day. That amounts to a reduction of 671,000 gallons per ship per year.
When Star Clippers ships do consume fuel, it is a less polluting grade. All the vessels only utilize very pure high-quality low-sulfur gas oil. For this, the line has been awarded the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate.