Owned by Star Clippers, this distinctive Belgian-built sailing vessel provides an off-beat entry to the world of cruising for those who might not take a conventional cruise or have become tired of the cities at sea.
Completed in 1992, a year behind running mate Star Flyer, this 360-ft ship has a 72-member West Indian and European crew that hoists 36,000 sq ft of sail. Any of the 170 passengers can assist, which a few do on a regular basis, but most are happy to stand back and watch the action, especially when leaving port.
A Swedish entrepreneur and sailing enthusiast had a dream to build replicas of the famous mid-19th century clippers ships, and the result was first a pair of barkentine-rigged ships with yacht sterns. While slow in being recognized by the cruising public, business eventually took off and spread to a worldwide clientele and the much larger, purposeful-looking Royal Clipper is the result. Now an even larger ship is under construction.
Star Clippers attract the rich and middle incomers, refugees from the now tiresome megaships and folks who own yachts. Passenger lists are international with Europeans often exceeding North Americans in number. The language on board is, however, mainly English. Teenagers will enjoy the experience, but there are not special facilities for young children.
May to October sees the ship in the Eastern Mediterranean, based at Piraeus, for one week cruises, on two different itineraries to ports in the North and South Cyclades plus a call on the coast of Turkey. Interdispersed are longer 11-day sailings between Piraeus and Venice via Greek Islands, Montenegro and four Croatian port calls.
Besides the cultural and historical attractions ashore, diving and snorkeling are big draws. A month-long fall and spring positioning voyage (economically priced) links the Mediterranean season with alternating seven-day cruise from from Phuket to island and coastal ports in northern and southern Thailand. These latter trips are almost purely recreational.
Public rooms include an elegant Edwardian-style library and card room with a decorative fireplace and maritime art. The pretty midships lounge has a piano and rigid banquet seating, and the central staircase descends to a dining room aglitter with brass and glass. Seating, some at banquettes alongside the portholes, is open, and officers mingle informally with passengers.
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is from a more limited menu. The food quality has continued to improve but do not expect anything elaborate or particularly creative. Passengers enjoy excursions especially in the Mediterranean, snorkeling, diving, sailboarding and swimming. Broad, open decks with two pools, ample seating and deck chair mats keep almost everyone outside most of the time.
A bar dispenses drinks from the canvas-covered well deck amidships. The most popular spot is watching the sail handling and navigation aft and above the wheelhouse. The captains host a storytime hour each morning which depending on the personality, the tales may be of the sea or simply where the ship is headed.
Compact to moderate-size cabins delight yachtsmen with their many shippy amenities and will satisfy most veteran cruisers, too. They are mostly outsides with portholes, phones, radios, TVs, safes, adequate stowage and such pretty decorative features as lamps in gimbals. Top-priced staterooms open to the deck, while minimum-fare insides have upper and lower berths and no TVs.
To keep the ship on schedule, diesel engines may break the silence when the wind dies. Some cabins will be affected by the engine's hum.
The Star Clipper attracts a wide variety of passengers of all income levels, including many non-Americans who are looking for the closest things to a true sailing experience. The Sea Cloud pair would approximate this experience but at a much higher price, while Windstar, also very casual and out of doors, is more motor sailing with sails, when they are up.
