Expert answers about Star Clippers — operators of the world's largest and most authentic sailing ships, offering a genuine tall-ship experience through the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and beyond.
Star Clippers is a small-ship cruise line founded in 1991 by Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft, operating three authentic tall-masted sailing ships. The line’s defining characteristic is that these are real sailing ships — not motorized vessels with decorative masts. The ships use their sails whenever the wind allows, and guests are invited to participate in the experience in ways entirely unavailable on any conventional cruise ship.
The three ships carry 170–227 guests through the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia, accessing small harbors and hidden anchorages that larger vessels cannot reach. The atmosphere is casual, nautical, and genuinely adventurous — a tall ship experience with the comforts of a well-run small hotel.
The key distinction is authenticity and scale of sailing:
Star Clippers is the right choice for travelers who want to feel they’re genuinely aboard a tall ship at sea, not just a ship that happens to have sails. Windstar is better suited to travelers who want small-ship luxury with sailing aesthetics. Star Clippers is also typically more casually priced than Windstar.
Star Clippers attracts travelers who:
The typical guest is adventurous but not necessarily young — many are experienced travelers who have tried large ships and want something fundamentally different. Couples, solo travelers, and sailing enthusiasts all sail comfortably aboard. Star Clippers is not recommended for travelers who require butler service, formal dining, or spa-forward luxury.
Star Clippers operates three tall-masted sailing ships:
Royal Clipper is the world’s largest full-rigged sailing ship, inspired by the legendary Preussen of 1902. Her five masts carry 42 individual sails totaling 56,000 square feet of canvas — the sight of her under full sail at sea is genuinely breathtaking. At 227 guests, she is slightly larger than her sisters and offers more onboard amenities: a larger pool deck, the Tropical Bar with its glass-bottom pool that looks into the ship’s atrium, and the Captain’s Dinner held in the ornate three-deck atrium. She primarily sails the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Star Clippers offers multiple cabin categories without the butler service or grand suite scale of luxury lines:
Cabins are comfortable rather than spacious — this is a sailing ship, and much of the voyage is lived on deck. Guests who require large cabin spaces may want to book the Commodore category or consider a different line entirely. The appeal is the voyage, not the square footage.
Yes — genuinely. Star Clippers operates three authentic tall-masted sailing ships that sail under canvas whenever wind conditions allow. The ships have auxiliary engines used for maneuvering in port and in calm or adverse conditions, but at sea the sails are the primary means of propulsion. When sailing under canvas, guests experience what sailing felt like in the age of clipper ships: creaking masts, billowing sails, and the profound silence of an engine-off passage. The percentage of sailing time under canvas varies by destination and season — the trade winds of the Caribbean tend to provide excellent sailing conditions.
Yes — and these are among the most memorable aspects of Star Clippers voyages. Available to guests (conditions permitting):
These experiences are optional and not pressured. Guests who prefer to simply watch the sails from a deck chair have an equally memorable time.
Several Star Clippers traditions stand out:
Star Clippers maintains a relaxed, resort-casual atmosphere with no formal nights. During the day, shorts, swimwear on deck, and casual clothes are entirely appropriate. Evenings call for smart casual — neat trousers or a summer dress, but no jacket or tie required. The ambience is deliberately nautical and unpretentious. The Captain’s Dinner is the most formal occasion of the voyage, and even then, “smart casual” is the standard.
Star Clippers fares include:
Not included in the standard fare: beverages (alcoholic and most non-alcoholic), gratuities to crew, shore excursions, and spa services. An all-inclusive beverage package is available for purchase and represents good value if you plan to drink wine or cocktails regularly.
Beverages are not included in the base Star Clippers fare. Alcoholic beverages, wines, spirits, cocktails, and most non-alcoholic drinks (sodas, juices) are billed separately to your onboard account. A comprehensive beverage package is available for purchase and is worth considering for guests who plan to enjoy cocktails at the Tropical Bar and wine with dinner. Tap water is complimentary. This pricing structure keeps the base fare more accessible — guests who are light drinkers pay only for what they consume.
Gratuities to crew are not included in the base Star Clippers fare. A daily suggested gratuity amount per guest is recommended and typically added to your onboard account (or payable in cash at the end of the voyage). The specific daily suggested amount should be confirmed with your Pavlus advisor at booking, as it varies by voyage length and ship. The crew is a tight-knit sailing team and these gratuities are an important part of their compensation.
The marina platform at the ship’s stern deploys in calm anchorages, providing direct access to:
All equipment use is included in the fare — there is no hourly charge for watersports. The platform is available when sea and weather conditions permit. Caribbean anchorages often offer particularly good snorkeling conditions close to the ship.
Dining on Star Clippers is casual, social, and genuinely good — not fine dining, but well-executed meals that reflect the destinations sailed. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style with a strong selection of fresh options. Dinner is sit-down in the Dining Room, with a rotating menu and open seating that encourages meeting different guests each evening. Fresh seafood, local ingredients, and European culinary traditions inform the menus. The Tropical Bar serves snacks and cocktails throughout the day in the most sociable location on any Star Clippers ship. Royal Clipper’s three-deck dining atrium is a particularly spectacular dinner setting.
Yes — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and most common dietary requirements are accommodated. Given the smaller ship galley and buffet format for some meals, guests with complex or multiple dietary restrictions should notify Pavlus at booking so the requirements can be communicated to the galley team well in advance. The quality of dietary alternatives improves significantly with advance notice rather than on-the-spot requests.
Star Clippers operates in three primary regions:
The Caribbean’s trade winds make it ideal sailing territory — Star Clipper and Royal Clipper are frequently under sail for significant portions of Caribbean passages. The small ship size (170–227 guests) allows access to secluded bays, uninhabited islands, and boutique anchorages where dropping anchor and deploying the watersports platform in clear, warm water is the whole point of the stop. Many Caribbean Star Clippers port calls are places you cannot reach on a conventional cruise ship. This is genuine destination access rather than a large port terminal experience.
Mediterranean sailings on Star Clippers are consistently among the highest-rated voyages in the fleet. The sailing yacht character is particularly suited to the Greek Islands and Turkish coast, where the ship can anchor in small harbors that larger vessels avoid entirely. Sailing overnight between islands means guests wake up in a new destination rather than spending sea days. The Southeast Aegean, the Dodecanese, and the Turkish gulet coast are Star Clippers signature sailing territory.
Deposits and cancellation policies vary by itinerary and sailing length. Generally, deposits are in the range of $300–$600 per person, with cancellation fees scaling progressively toward full forfeiture inside 60–90 days. Your Pavlus advisor will outline the exact terms for your specific voyage at booking. Travel insurance is recommended, particularly for international itineraries where flights represent a significant additional investment.
Star Clippers ships are genuine sailing vessels without the heavy stabilization systems found on large cruise ships. In calm anchorages and gentle seas, motion is minimal. At sea, particularly on open-water passages, the ships will move with the swell and heel slightly when under sail — this is part of the authentic sailing experience, but guests who are seriously prone to seasickness should be aware. Many guests find that anti-seasickness medication (prescription or OTC) addresses the issue completely. Paradoxically, some guests who struggle on large cruise ships find the more natural motion of a sailing vessel easier to tolerate. When in doubt, consult your physician before booking and come prepared.
Star Clippers does not operate a children’s club or dedicated youth programming. A minimum age of 1 year applies; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The sailing ship environment — with working ropes, open decks, and an active vessel — requires parental supervision. Older children and teenagers who love sailing, adventure, and the sea often have extraordinary experiences on Star Clippers voyages. Families with very young children or those expecting resort-style youth activities may find this is not the right match.
The rhythm of a Star Clippers voyage follows the wind and the sailing schedule rather than a rigid program:
Gratuities are not included in the Star Clippers base fare. A recommended daily gratuity per guest is standard, typically settled via your onboard account at the end of the voyage or payable in cash. The specific recommended daily amount should be confirmed at booking with your Pavlus advisor. The crew of a genuine sailing ship is a highly skilled, tightly knit team, and gratuities are an important part of their compensation structure. Most experienced Star Clippers guests feel the recommendation is appropriate given the effort involved in managing and sailing a tall ship.
Star Clippers’ Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean itineraries are among the most atmospheric voyages in the fleet — a tall ship under sail in waters that have carried trading vessels for centuries. Typical programs include:
These programs operate primarily in the Northern Hemisphere winter season (November–April). The combination of ancient maritime history, extraordinary wildlife, and the tall ship experience in tropical waters makes Southeast Asia a particularly evocative Star Clippers destination.
Star Clippers attracts a meaningful number of solo travelers, drawn by the sailing tradition and adventure character of the ships. The small size (170–227 guests), open-seating dining, and shared activities — sail handling, mast climbing, watersports — create a naturally social environment. Single supplements apply for solo cabin occupancy. Ask your Pavlus advisor about current solo supplement terms and any upcoming sailings with favorable solo rates.
Call Pavlus Travel at 800-528-9300. Our specialists can advise on which of the three ships best suits your interests, which itinerary region appeals to you (Caribbean, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asia), and the right cabin category for your priorities and budget. Popular Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings fill early — booking several months ahead is recommended. Star Clippers deposit and cancellation policies vary by itinerary, and your advisor will outline the specifics at booking.
Booking through Pavlus provides genuine advantages:
Pavlus has preferred agency relationships with Star Clippers and periodically accesses promotional offers and onboard amenities not prominently available when booking direct. These change with the sailing season and promotional calendar. Call 800-528-9300 and ask specifically about current Star Clippers offers and any Pavlus-exclusive amenities for your target voyage.
Bookings can typically be transferred to a travel agency within a defined window after the original deposit date. Call Pavlus at 800-528-9300 to discuss whether a transfer is possible for your specific booking. Transferring to Pavlus gives you an experienced advisor as your ongoing point of contact through embarkation and beyond.
No — you will pay less. Pavlus Travel provides a savings benefit on top of current Star Clippers promotions, in the form of a discount, cash back, or onboard credit. You receive all the vendor’s deals plus Pavlus savings, along with experienced voyage guidance and an advocate if any issues arise.
Pavlus Travel has sold Star Clippers since the line’s early years and has followed the fleet through the addition of Royal Clipper and the development of Southeast Asia and Mediterranean programming. Our advisors understand the authentic sailing ship experience and can have the nuanced conversation about which of the three ships is right for your travel style, which season and region best suits the sailing conditions you’re hoping for, and how to prepare for the uniquely different experience of a tall ship voyage.
Pavlus acts as your advocate throughout the booking and travel process. If billing discrepancies, cabin assignment concerns, or pre-departure logistics issues arise, call us at 800-528-9300 and we will work directly with Star Clippers on your behalf. Star Clippers voyages can involve last-minute routing or anchorage changes based on wind and sea conditions — having an experienced agency to help navigate any changes is reassuring.
To make the call efficient, have ready:
Not sure which ship or region fits best? Call 800-528-9300 and we’ll work through the options with you.
For peak-season sailings — Caribbean winter-season (December–April) and Mediterranean summer (June–September) — book 6–12 months in advance. The ships carry only 170–227 guests, so capacity is limited and popular sailings sell out well ahead of the season. Royal Clipper sailings in particular fill quickly given her flagship status. Booking early also allows first choice of cabin category — on a sailing ship, cabin location relative to engine noise and motion can matter to guests who prioritize comfort.
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