Star Clippers

If you are easily seduced by the romance of the sea then Star Clippers really is a unique experience and cruising under sail offers a special way to see the world. Different people will enjoy it differently; some will relish watching the expert crew working with the sails (indeed, brave souls can climb to the crow's nest if they wish, for a true bird's eye view of what's going on), and others will simply sit back and enjoy the relaxation of travelling in such immediate-seeming proximity to the ocean.

The magnificent five-masted Royal Clipper, carrying 227 guests, has an amazing 42 sails; that's 56,000 square feet to catch those gentle sea breezes. One of a kind, and following in a great tradition, Royal Clipper features spacious accommodation and some excellent suites. Even more intimate, the four-masted Star Clipper and Star Flyer carry 170 guests each.

The experience on board a Star Clippers cruise is pretty special - sociable, of course, and you can expect to find a number of kindred spirits who have chosen this type of adventure, rather than a more conventional cruise ship. No enforced schedules, a little bit of local entertainment brought on board where appropriate, daily briefings from the captain, impromptu knot tying and navigation classes, all combine to create a totally easy-going informality, with leisurely days and the bliss of falling asleep to the gentle rhythms of the ship and sea.

The Star Clippers fleet summers in the Mediterranean, with itineraries featuring the Greek Isles, Amalfi Coast, and French Riviera. In winter they cross the ocean to explore the Caribbean as well as Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.