Star Clippers
This fine sail-cruise ship exudes abundant character and charm
The Ship. The culmination of an owner’s childhood dream, Royal Clipper is a stunning sight under sail. It’s the world’s largest true fully rigged sailing ship and has five masts, whereas the company’s two other, smaller ships (Star Clipper and Star Flyer) have just four. The vessel best suits couples and solo travelers who would probably never consider a ‘normal’ cruise ship, but who enjoy sailing and the thrill of ocean and wind and want a package that includes accommodation, food, like-minded companions, and interesting destinations, without the bother of owning or chartering their own yacht. This is the bee’s knees.
Royal Clipper’s design is based on the only other five-masted sailing ship ever to be built, the 1902-built German tall ship Preussen. It has approximately the same dimensions, albeit 46ft (14m) shorter.
The construction time for this ship was remarkably short, because its hull had almost been completed (at Gdansk shipyard, Poland) for another owner, before becoming available to Star Clippers. It is instantly recognizable due to its geometric blue-and-white hull markings. Power winches, as well as hand winches, are employed in deck fittings, as well as a mix of horizontal furling for the square sails and hydraulic power assist to roll the square sails along the yardarm. The sail-handling system, designed by the owner Mikael Krafft, is such that the vessel can quickly be converted from a full rigger to a schooner.
The masts reach 197ft (60m) above the waterline, and the top 19ft (5.8m) can be hinged over 90 degrees to clear bridges, cable lines, and other port-based obstacles. Watching the sailors manipulate ropes, rigging, and sails is like watching a ballet – the precision and cohesion of a group of men, who make it all look so simple.
Passengers may be allowed to climb to special lookout points aloft, and on the bridge at any time – but they cannot go in the galley or engine room.
The ship has a large amount of open deck space and sunning space – something most tall ships lack – although, naturally, this is laid with rigging ropes. An aft marina platform can be lowered, so that passengers can use surfboards, sailing dinghies, take a ride on the banana boat, or go waterskiing or swimming. Snorkeling gear is available free, but there is a charge for scuba gear. You will be asked to sign a waiver if you use the water-sports equipment.
Inside, a small midships atrium three decks high sits under one of the ship’s three swimming pools, and sunlight streams down through a piano lounge on the uppermost level inside the ship and into the lower level dining room. A forward observation lounge is a real plus – it’s connected to the piano lounge via a central corridor. An Edwardian library/card room includes a Belle Epoque fireplace. The Captain Nemo Club lets you observe fish and marine life when the ship is at anchor, through thick glass portholes; it’s floodlit from underneath at night to attract the fish.
The ship operates cruises in the Grenadines and Lower Windward Islands of the Caribbean in winter and Mediterranean cruises in summer. Officers navigate using both traditional (sextant) and contemporary methods (advanced electronic positioning system).
This being a tall ship with true sailing traditions, there is, naturally, a parrot (it is sometimes kept in a gilded cage, but it may be seen around the ship on someone’s shoulder); it’s considered to be part of the crew. The ambience is extremely relaxed, friendly, and unpretentious. The dress code is always casual (shorts and casual tops are the order of the day – yachting wear), with no ties needed ever.
The suites and cabins are, in general, smaller than aboard Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II. I do not include the Windstar Cruises ships (Wind Spirit, Wind Star, Wind Surf), because they are not tall ships. Royal Clipper, however, is exactly that – a real, working, wind-and-sails-in-your-face tall ship.
This vessel is not for the physically impaired, or for children. The steps of the internal stairs are steep, as in most sailing vessels. Any gratuities you give are pooled and divided among all crew members. What gives the ship a little extra in the scoring department is the fact that many water sports are included in the price.
Accommodation. There are several accommodation grades, priced according to size, type and location: Owner’s Suites (2), Deluxe Suites (14), and categories 1–6. All have polished wood-trimmed cabinetry and wall-to-wall carpeting, personal safe, full-length mirror, small TV set with audio channels and 24-hour text-based news, and private bathroom. All have twin beds (86 of which convert into a queen-size bed, while 28 are fixed queen-size beds), hairdryer, and satellite-linked telephone. The six interior cabins and a handful of other cabins have a permanently fixed double bed.
Most cabins have a privacy curtain, so that you can’t be seen from the hallway when the cabin attendant opens the door – useful if you’re undressed. Additionally, 27 cabins can sleep three.
Two Owner’s Suites, located aft, provide the most lavish accommodation, and have one queen-size bed and one double bed, a living area with semicircular sofa, vanity desk, mini-bar/refrigerator, marble-clad bathroom with whirlpool bathtub, plus one guest bathroom, and butler service. They have an interconnecting door, so a combined super-suite can sleep eight.
The ‘Deck Suites’ have interesting names, including Ariel, Cutty Sark, Doriana, Eagle Wing, Flying Cloud, France, Gloria, Golden Gate, Great Republic, Passat, Pommern, Preussen, and Thermopylae. However, they are not actually suites, as the sleeping area can’t be separated from the lounge – they are simply larger cabins with a nicer interior, more storage space, and a larger bathroom. Each has two lower beds convertible to a queen-size one, small lounge area, mini-bar/refrigerator, writing desk, small private balcony, and marble-clad bathroom with combination whirlpool tub/shower, washbasin, and toilet. The door to the balcony can be opened, so that fresh air floods the room; note that there is a 12ins (30cm) threshold to step over. There are no curtains, only roll-down shades for the windows and balcony door. The balcony itself typically has two white chairs and drinks table. The balconies are not particularly private, and most have ship’s tenders or Zodiacs overhanging them, or some rigging obscuring the views.
Two other named cabins (Lord Nelson and Marco Polo) are located aft. Their facilities are similar to those of the Deck Suites, but they lack private balconies.
The interior cabins and the lowest grades of outside-view cabins are extremely small and tight, with little room to move around the beds. So take only the minimum amount of clothing and luggage. When in cabins where beds are linked together to form a double bed, you need to clamber up over the front of the bed, as both sides have built-in storm barriers (this applies in inclement weather conditions only).
There is a small room service menu (all items cost extra).
Dining. The Dining Room is on several connecting levels (getting used to the steps is not easy), and seats all passengers at one seating under a three-deck-high atrium dome. You can sit with whom you wish at tables for four to 10. However, it is noisy, due to the numerous waiter stations. Some tables are badly positioned, so that correct waiter service is impossible; much reaching over has to be done in order to serve everyone.
One corner can be closed off for private parties. Breakfasts and lunches are self-serve buffets, while dinner is a sit-down affair with table service; the ambience is always friendly and lighthearted. The wine list consists of young wines, and prices are high. The cuisine, although perfectly acceptable, is nothing to write home about.
Entertainment. There are no shows, nor are any expected by passengers aboard a tall ship such as this, where sailing is the main purpose. There is, however, live music, provided by a single lounge pianist/singer.
Spa/Fitness. The Royal Spa is located on the lowest passenger deck and, although not large, incorporates a beauty salon, an extra-charge Moroccan steam room, and a small gymnasium.