Star Clippers

The world’s largest tall sailing ships, offering authentic sailing adventures with the comfort of a boutique cruise. Set sail on clipper ships that actually harness the wind, visit hidden harbors larger vessels can’t reach, and enjoy complimentary water sports at every calm anchorage. Our advisors know these ships firsthand and can help plan every detail.

Star Clippers logo

The Romance of Sailing at Sea

Star Clippers operates the world’s largest fleet of tall sailing ships, offering a truly unique cruise experience that combines the thrill of traditional sailing with the comforts of a modern mega-yacht. Founded in 1991 by Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft, Star Clippers was born from a lifelong passion for tall ships and a vision to revive the golden age of sail. With just three intimate clipper ships carrying between 170 and 227 guests, every voyage feels like a private sailing adventure on the open sea.

Their fleet sails across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia, reaching hidden harbors and secluded anchorages that larger cruise ships simply cannot access.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: Star Clippers – Tall Ship Sailing, Boutique Adventure Cruises

Fleet: 3 tall sailing ships – Star Clipper (170 guests), Star Flyer (170 guests), and Royal Clipper (227 guests)

Destinations: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, transatlantic crossings, and more

Service: Intimate, yacht-like atmosphere with friendly, attentive crew

Signature Feature: Authentic sailing under billowing sails on the world’s largest clipper ships – guests are welcome to help hoist the sails, climb the crow’s nest, or simply relax on the bowsprit net

  • Comfortable ocean-view cabins with portholes or windows
  • All meals in the open-seating dining room and on-deck buffets
  • Complimentary water, iced tea, and lemonade throughout the day
  • Onboard entertainment including local performers and crew talent shows
  • Complimentary use of water sports equipment (snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, water skiing, and more)
  • Access to onboard swimming pools and tropical bar areas
  • Port talks and destination briefings from experienced officers

Shore excursions, premium beverages, and gratuities are available at additional cost.

  • A one-of-a-kind sailing experience aboard authentic tall ships – there’s nothing else like it at sea
  • Intimate ship sizes (170-227 guests) allow access to hidden harbors and small ports that big ships cannot reach
  • Unpretentious, barefoot-casual atmosphere – no formal dress codes, no assigned seating
  • Exceptional water sports platform with complimentary equipment at anchor stops
  • The thrill of real sailing – feel the wind, hear the sails, and watch the crew work the rigging

Dining Room: Open-seating restaurant serving international cuisine with fresh, locally sourced ingredients

Tropical Bar & Deck Buffets: Casual breakfast and lunch buffets served al fresco under the sails

Captain’s Dinner: A special evening featuring a gala menu with regional delicacies

Midnight Snacks: Late-night bites served on deck for stargazers and night owls

All meals are included with open seating and a relaxed, social atmosphere. The cuisine emphasizes fresh seafood, regional flavors, and international classics prepared by skilled onboard chefs.

Star Clippers is renowned for its complimentary water sports platform, which deploys from the stern of each ship when anchored in calm bays and harbors. Guests can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing dinghies, and banana boat rides – all at no extra charge.

Onboard, guests can climb the crow’s nest for panoramic views, relax on the iconic bowsprit net over the waves, join knot-tying classes, attend bridge visits with the captain, and participate in the hands-on experience of sailing a tall ship.

Evening entertainment includes local musicians and performers brought aboard in port, crew talent shows, star-gazing sessions, and the lively Tropical Bar.

Why Choose Star Clippers

Authentic Sailing

Tall Ship Cruises

Intimate voyages on the world’s largest clipper ships

  • 170-227 guests per ship
  • Authentic sailing under tall ship sails
  • All meals included
  • Complimentary water sports equipment
  • No formal dress code
  • Hidden ports & secluded harbors
  • Open bridge & hands-on sailing

Wind, Canvas, and Open Water

Star Clippers tall ship under full sail on blue ocean

Not a Motor Ship with Decorative Masts

What sets Star Clippers apart from every other cruise line is the experience of real sailing. These are authentic tall ships that harness the wind under thousands of square feet of billowing sails. Guests are invited to get involved: take the helm under the captain’s watchful eye, lend a hand as the crew raises sail, or find a quiet perch on the bowsprit net and watch the ocean pass beneath you.

It’s an immersive connection with the sea that no conventional cruise ship can offer. The gentle heel of the ship as the sails catch the wind, the creak of the rigging, the crew working above you – it changes the way a voyage feels entirely.

Complimentary Water Sports at Every Anchorage

One of the most beloved features of a Star Clippers voyage is the onboard water sports marina. At each calm anchorage, the crew transforms the stern into a floating beach club with an impressive deployable platform. From there, you can snorkel over coral reefs, paddle a kayak into a secluded cove, try your hand at windsurfing, or let loose on a banana boat ride.

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or prefer a gentle paddleboard session, there’s something for every energy level. And it’s all included in your fare. No signup sheet, no extra charge – just grab your gear and go.

Royal Clipper tall ship sailing through Venice lagoon with gondolas in foreground
Star Clippers tall ship sailing on open blue ocean waters

Hidden Ports and Secluded Harbors

Thanks to their graceful size and shallow draft, Star Clippers ships can slip into harbors and anchorages that larger cruise vessels simply cannot reach. Charming fishing villages, unspoiled beaches, secluded bays – places most travelers only dream about.

Whether it’s a tiny Grenadine cay in the Caribbean, a hidden cove along the Dalmatian Coast, or a pristine Thai island, Star Clippers itineraries are designed to take you somewhere unexpected. Sailings range from Caribbean island-hopping to Mediterranean coastal routes to Southeast Asian explorations, with special transatlantic crossings for those who want the full ocean experience.

Experience

What Makes a Star Clippers Voyage Different

Authentic Tall Ships

Sail aboard the world’s largest clipper ships – true tall ships with square-rigged sails, towering masts, and the sounds of wind and sea. The Royal Clipper is the world’s largest full-rigged sailing ship, carrying 42 sails and over 56,000 square feet of canvas.

Fresh, Flavorful Dining

International cuisine prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in an open-seating dining room. Casual deck buffets under the sails, Captain’s Dinners with gala menus, and midnight snacks make every meal a social occasion – all included in your fare.

Exotic Destinations

Explore the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Star Clippers’ intimate size means you’ll visit places that feel untouched – quiet anchorages, waterfront villages, and coastlines far from the usual tourist crowds.

Star Clippers tall ship cabin with nautical wood and brass appointments

Nautical Cabins and Suites

Cabins on Star Clippers are comfortable and nautically appointed, featuring polished wood and brass accents. Categories range from inside cabins to ocean-view cabins with portholes or windows. The Royal Clipper also offers Deluxe Suites and the Owner’s Suite with private balconies.

All cabins include air conditioning, private bathrooms, and daily housekeeping. While they’re more compact than cabins on large cruise ships, they reflect the charming, yacht-like character of the vessels.

Choosing the right cabin can make a real difference to your experience, and that’s where our advisors can help. Reach out and we’ll walk you through the options based on your preferences and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Star Clippers is truly one of a kind – they operate the world’s largest fleet of tall sailing ships. These are authentic clipper ships that actually sail under wind power, not motor vessels with decorative masts. The experience is intimate (170-227 guests), barefoot-casual, and immersive. Guests can participate in sailing operations, explore the ship from mast to bowsprit, and enjoy complimentary water sports from the onboard marina. If you’re looking for something completely different from a conventional cruise, Star Clippers delivers.

Star Clippers fares include your ocean-view cabin accommodations, all meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and midnight snacks), complimentary water, iced tea, and lemonade, use of the onboard water sports equipment (snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, waterskiing, banana boats, and more), entertainment, and port talks. Premium beverages, shore excursions, and gratuities are additional. When you book through Harr Travel, you also benefit from our exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no booking fees – ever.

Star Clippers operates three magnificent tall ships. The Royal Clipper is the flagship – a five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship carrying 227 guests with 42 sails. She’s the world’s largest full-rigged sailing vessel. The Star Clipper and Star Flyer are four-masted barquentines, each carrying 170 guests. All three ships feature teak decks, brass fittings, and the elegance of a classic sailing yacht combined with modern comforts including air conditioning, swimming pools, and comfortable cabins.

Star Clippers sails in some of the world’s most beautiful waters. Key destinations include the Caribbean (Grenadines, Leeward Islands, and windward island-hopping), the Mediterranean (Greek Islands, Croatia, Italy, French Riviera, and Spain), and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond). They also offer special transatlantic crossings and repositioning voyages. Their small ship size allows access to hidden harbors and secluded anchorages that large cruise ships cannot reach.

Cabins on Star Clippers are comfortable and nautically appointed, featuring polished wood and brass accents. Categories range from inside cabins to ocean-view cabins with portholes or windows. The Royal Clipper also offers Deluxe Suites and the Owner’s Suite with private balconies. All cabins include air conditioning, private bathrooms, and daily housekeeping. While they’re more compact than cabins on large cruise ships, they reflect the charming, yacht-like character of the vessels.

Star Clippers is famously barefoot-casual – there is no formal dress code at all. During the day, guests wear swimwear, shorts, and casual resort wear. In the evening, smart casual is the norm – think sundresses and collared shirts. Even the Captain’s Dinner is relaxed by cruise standards. Leave the tuxedos and gowns at home; this is a sailing adventure where comfort and ease set the tone.

Star Clippers can be wonderful for families with adventurous older children and teenagers who would love the hands-on sailing experience, water sports, and active itineraries. There are no formal kids’ clubs or children’s programs, but the complimentary water sports, crow’s nest climbing, and knot-tying classes provide plenty of excitement. The relaxed atmosphere and open bridge policy are great for curious young minds. For families with very young children, the experience may be less ideal due to the open deck environment.

Star Clippers offers one of the most generous complimentary water sports programs in the cruise industry. At anchor, the crew opens the stern marina and provides all the equipment you need – snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, waterskis, windsurfers, sailing dinghies, and banana boats. Everything is supervised by the crew and included in your fare, so there’s no signup sheet or extra charge. Just grab your gear and go.

Sailing on a Star Clippers tall ship is a completely different experience from a conventional cruise. You’ll feel the gentle heel of the ship as the sails catch the wind, hear the creak of the rigging, and watch the crew work the sails above you. The motion is generally smooth and pleasant – these ships are stabilized by their deep keels and broad sail plans. Most guests find it deeply relaxing and romantic. The intimate size means you quickly get to know fellow passengers and crew, creating a social, yacht-like atmosphere.

Entertainment on Star Clippers is refreshingly different – no Broadway shows or casinos here. Instead, you’ll enjoy local musicians and performers brought aboard in port, crew talent shows, star-gazing sessions on deck, captain’s welcome and farewell parties, knot-tying classes, port lectures from the captain, and the lively Tropical Bar scene. Many guests say the best entertainment is simply sitting on deck watching the sails unfurl against a sunset sky.

When you book Star Clippers through Harr Travel, you get access to exclusive group rates with significant savings below published fares. Our advisors know these ships firsthand and provide personalized cabin selection advice, itinerary planning, and guidance on choosing the right ship and sailing for your interests. We perform weekly price monitoring on every booking and automatically adjust your rate if the price drops. Plus, we never charge booking, consultation, or change fees. From the moment you inquire to the moment you disembark, you have a team in your corner who genuinely cares about getting this right.

Ready for a True Sailing Adventure?

Experience the magic of sailing the world’s largest clipper ships with Star Clippers. When you’re ready for a cruise experience unlike anything else on the water, speak with our advisors at Harr Travel. We know these ships firsthand and we’ll make sure you’re matched with the right vessel, cabin, and itinerary. Call us at +1 888 871 4233 or email info@harrtravel.com. We’ll find you the best possible rate, keep an eye on prices every week after you book, and we never charge fees. Your sailing adventure starts with a conversation.